New-York tribune., 1874-08-14
MIR. MOULTON'S TESTIMONY.

HOLDING ALL THE DOCtMtNlAh'
EXCEPT THE LETTERS FROM WHICH hAi"NN -
HAD BEEN MADE-oFFICIAL REPORT.
TWENTY THIRD sRssIoN-BRooKLYs Aux io i0'
Tho Committee met at p. IN. All the
,onhors we're present. At about O'Clock frahcis ~
Moultop who was expected at the opening VI '"o -.
sion made his appearance, when, Win 'he 0O"s
the Committee he read the following statemeh' Pi0
facing It with the remarks; .u,
81 submit 70 yOu first, the invitation ssneu v! 'O"
Chairman July a. 1874; next the Invitation VI ~
Chairman. signed July IS and next the lnV'a.Un y.
vo,r Chairman signed August laying copies OF 'noS
Invitations the table before himJ
STATEMENT oF Mr. MoULToN'
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE; "heh "ae ''' 10
fore Won stated that would at your request pio'
,..h documents as , had, and make such state
n, o, f.c,s as had come knowledge on the SUD-
, ., opr inouiry fully Intended SO to do ana have
nrenared my statement Of facts as sustained OS 'ne
docpmenis and made exhibit OF all the papers tha'
have come ia any way into my possession, bearing on
the controversy the parties. That statement
must of course with more less force upon one
or the other Of them on mature reflection, aided by
the advice OF my most valued flenhs'
have reconsidered that determination, anu
am obliged to say 10 you that feel compeIea
of duty the parties tol my relation 10
their controversy aud TO myself, neither 10 make 'ne
statement nor to produce the documents
When first became a party to the unhappy coDuo
yersy between Beecher aud Tlton had no personal
knowledge nor any document In my possession Wuion
could affect either Everything that Know o! laet'
or have received OF papers, has come 10 h1 III 'he
most sacred confidence TO be used for the purpose OF
compospc and settling all difficulties between Them
and OF preventing 30 far possible knowledge OF
their private affairs being brought 10 the public notice
For this purpose all their matters have been lntrnsted
TO me- and for other II should now use thein'
would be for the purpose of peace and recohea
ton, but to voluntarily take part in controversy
tha have N fO
How faithfully earnestly, and honestly have labored
TO do my duty to the parties for peace they both
know. Tue question for Inc 10 settle for myself and no
other now ought to do anything to aid either party
in renewed controversy by use OF that which re-
ceived and have used only 20 promote harmonyi On
my honor and conscience think ought not. And at
the risk of whatever OF misconstructon and vtupera
ton may come upon me, must adhere 10 the dictates
OF my own Judgment, and preserve, at least my own
seiTespect.
leah attention again to the fact that yours mere
voluntary tribunal, and whatever do here Is done by
voluntary aud compelled witness. whether before
any tribunal having the power to compel the production
of testimony and statement OF fact shall ever produce
these papers, give any OF these confidential state
ments, reserve myself to Judge of the emergency
which hope may never come Against my wiSh-ds l
been sympathy with renewal OF this con-
ncta part of these documents have been given to the
public. In so far confidence in regard TO them has
III
that the whole OF those documents. portions OF which
ONLY have been given shall be put your hands, III
response 10 the thrlce-renewed request OF the Com
mttec have therefore copies OF them which pro
duce here and place in the hands Of the Committee
with the hope aud request, that after they nave oeen
examined by them, they may be returned TO me- II any
controversy shall arise the authenticity of the
copies Of the documents that point shall hold
myself open 10 speak With this eXceptiOn-except in
defense Of my own honor and the uprghtness OF my
IN all this unfortunate and unhappy business the
purity and candor of which appeal TO the conscence
Of both parties su>tanG do not propose, and hope
may never 90 called upon hereafter 10 speak. either as
the facts to produce any paper that have re-
cGyed from either Of the parties involved herein
Francis D. MOULToN
THE letters viii appear In Mr.. Bcecaers statement,
with an explanation OF each.]
THE DEBATE WITH THE COMMITTEE.
Mr winslOw-Mr. Moultou the Committee desire me
to YOU questions notwithstanding the position
you take here IN written statement You are well
aware as you show by the three invitations which the
Committee have sent YOU that in good faith
pursuing investigation. You will remember that we
were appointed by the Pastor of Plymouth Church, with
the sanction aud approval OF the Examining Committee
Of that Church inquire into all these matters relating
70 the alleged grievances OF Mr.. TltOn The letter OF
authority that 10 to is not limited No resric
tous are put upon any kind. We are invited to
examine all the OF evidence and we have looked
upon you of the principal of evidence We
waited two three weeks TO get your teSti
mOny and am sure express the feeling OF the Com
mittee when express Of disappointment at the
position YOU take OF course we know that not
Court with compulsory powers. We are, you state
mere voluntary tribunal. You can do exactly you
please; We await yOur pleasure; but what desire to
know H. IN behalf of the Committee, whether you have
deliberately formed this purpose to make it
beyond recall. ~ things now stand.
MT MOultoL-Iu reply 10 what you have said, and
with reference 90 my appearance here far you
concerned in this Committee, call your attention 10
he language OF your invitation, namely, this
1--WE earnestly request that YOU bring all letters and
documents IN your possession which referred TO by
Theodore TltOn in his statement beforethe Committee"
comply with the request Of this Committee, and pro-
duce copies of the letters referred 10 by Mr TOn, the
authenticity of which AIN ready within few moments
10 establish
O. Do you mean 10 have us understand, Mr.. Moulton,
that you have personally compared the originals with
these copies. 80 that know of your own knowledge
that they correctl A mean TO state exactly what
have statei.
MI WnslOw-YOu have not stated anything on that
point.
Mr. Moulton-Yes stated that these are copies of
the letters which YOU requested, referred to in MI
Theodore Ttou's documents
q DO you state OF your own personal knowledge that
they copies have you trusted somebody else
make copies and compose themi A beg pardon Sir :;
an wiling authenticate these copies whenever you
wish that thev should he authenticated.
O. Cannot yOl now be induced, Mr.. MoutOn, to 90 on
notwithstanding what has happened, and give Us a full
statement of all your knowledge in these matters A.
stand upon the communication which have made TO
you to-day, SIR.
.. Aud that you DO not mean TO changer A. Not
without sufficient reason.
NJ. Wins'ow-Of course referring TO the
present moment. A. Yes, Sir.
Nj. NinslUW-Therc Is another point that would like
20 ask You about, Mr.. M0uou. Considering the great
I
would not De ar and proper that the originals be pro-
duccd, not" MISLEADING your readiness authenticate
4 u LLLf ~ Ln--L.-t -. :.