New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-14
sTHE PLYMOUTH CHURCH INQUIRY.

REPLY OF THEODORE TILrON TO TIE INVESTIGATING
COMMITTEE.
Mr. Beecher's letter TO his Committee OF SIX
church members, requesting them TO investigate MS
character against Mr. Tlton alusion 10 an ofense ana
apology In his Bacon letter mas elected reply from
Mr. TltOn II is addressed as Mr. Beechcrs was 70 the
Committee II follows:
To the Investigating Committee.
GENTLEMEN When. on Friday last. met YOU az yonr
invitation the appointment oil your CoWttes nau NO.
vate capacity. Moreover OF your legal ADVISERS ad
previously gwen me hope that H. on my appearance
before YOU wOuld preserve irdcious reticence con-
corning the worst aspects OF the case migh thereby
facilitate through YOU such moderate pubic present
alton OF Mr. Beechers ofense and apology as would
close rather than prOlOug the existing scandal re-
iOiced IN this hope, aud promptly recIprochieu the
kindly feeling which reported 20 me as SHaFcd D5
you all toward myself and family. 49,,
Accordingly. when | met you IN conference, my BRIEF
statement was. for instance the following points
FIRST that letter TO Dr. Bacon was written, not a.
an act OF aggression but OF srf-deense arising AZ
therein forth, from great and gevous proyocatlo
by your pastor your church, the Brooklyn Council anu
the eX-NI0dera0rs criticisms on NV supposed conduct
all uniting ueime before the world, ana 10 lnuct
upon unjust punishment for acts done nv annthe
and second that, having by thatettrr defended myseH
So far as Thought the required me 20 carry my
reply / felt unwilling 70 proceed iurther against hf
Beecher without further public prOvocatlon OF Oher
such a necessity is laid upon me by Mr.. Beecher
himself in the publication direct request by hun 20
you inquire officially into his character affected by
Ofense and apology which referred lie mus OF
I'D direct challenge not only before your CJ-
mlltee. but before the public, which hereby accept
l. therefore, give you notice that shall prepare bfull
and detailed statement IN accordance WIKI the terms Oh
vour COmmttees imitation 10 20 furnish such acis
as are within my knowledge. touching matters when
compromise character Of Rev Henry Ward beecher
snail be ready las this before you Nitulu week OF
days, thereafter as snail nud inYSelf ADe
the numerous facts ana evidences IN such strict
array as that can cover them. each ana all WIN my
oath TO their truth, sworn before magistrate
await the appointment by you Of day mutually con
for my presentation O1 TINS statement IN person
before your Committee. Meanwhile shal MAKE puOlc
my present note TO You because Mr. Beechers letter 10
which this preliminary response, has been made
public by him. With great respect. am truly yours,
THEODORE TILTON,
No. ia Liringston-st. BROOKLYN, July 10, 1874.
one Of the members OF the Examining Committee was
shown Mr. TtOn's letter and ASKED II there was any
thing new to communicate with reference IL the lnyes
gation. He replied that there was nothing that the
Committee could yet make public He was glad That Mr.
Tlltou had promised TO come forward and state the
ground Of his complaint against Mr. Beecher. He
doubted not but that truth would be reached IN time
by the Committee.