New-York tribune., 1875-01-16
INSIDE HISTORY OF THE BACON LETTER.

INSIDE HISTORY OF THE BACON LETTER.
O. Do you recollect what is known in this CON
troversy the Bacon letter." A. Yes Sir
G. When that letter written in point Of time A In
June of 1874
@ When did you first become acquainted with its existence
A The day after its publication.
@ From whom did you receive your informaon' A. From
Theodore Tlton.
q by the Bacon letter 10 understand it letter
written by Theodore TiltOn TO Dr. BacOnt a. Yes sir.
Q Did you have any interview with Mr. Beecher upon that
subject A. Yes, Sir.
@ State II you please what that interview was and when it
A. remember interview in my study, which Mr.
Shearman Mr. Tion Mr. Beecher aud myself present
Mr. Ton said Mr. Beecher that he knew perfectly well that
he ltonl not the Of his magnanimity as Dr
Bacon alleged that he was not dog and knaye-had not
been his OF Mr. Beecher and that he could
rest under that mpuaon and wanted MI Beecher to set the
matter right with Dr. Bacon and that he did not he Chico
dore Ton should. That is substantially the conversation
that remember That is the first conference and then
Mr. Beechcr afterwards about it,
Don't you recoect anything else that took place at that
hrst interview there any reply to the observation
l want you TO state it A. Mr.. Beecher said that
he didn't see what reply he could make that the
full Of embarrassments; that if he should make
ply DR. Bacor it would be considered something like
confeson he made reply OF that Sort don't remember
language he used but he plead his embarassments
the general impression my mind h that he surrounded
by embarassnens which made difficult for him do it,
@ What referred to when he spoke Of not being the
Of Mr Beechers magnanmity that he wasn't dog
knavei A. His action in regard TO Mr. Tltons family
Mr Ton referred specifically his action with reference
his family.
Did he refer to Dr. Bacon articles that had appeared
in The HaGpsadet from time to timeY A. Yes Sir that was
the subject Of the conversations but the direct reference that
was made regard Mr. Tons not being the of his
inagnanimity was that he r BeecheD knew that he on)
the Of his magnanmy on account Of his
knowledge Of NJ. Tlton's relations with his family.
O. This proposed letter Of Mr.. Tlton, called tho Bacon
letter in reply these various articles in TdeLdpende?
A. Yes, Sir
Was the Bacon letter there then under consideration
! don't remember thst il was
@ ws afterwards produced what Mr Tton proposed to
plplish' A No, Sir; it produced at that time
q AT any subsequent time it producedi A. don't
tlrnk II was 10 Mr.. Becchef.
@ Did you any conversation within Beecher in regard
10 the contents Of Y had interview with Mr. Beecher
more than one interview which said would undertake to
prevent the writing Of it,
O. State what you said TO him in that conversation? A.
said would undertake prevent the reply the Bacon letter.
that did not think Mr.. Titon should reply oit.
@ You said "rcply the Bacon letters" A. said TO Mr.
Bcecher would undertake to prevent Mr. Tion making any
rcply TO the Bacon ettcr-to DR.. Bacon.
Tell US all that occurred that subject in that interview
when you proposed prevent the reply to Dr. Baconf A.
told Mr. Beccher that Mr. Titon had said to that he
piled to Dr. Bacon should tell the whole truth with regard
10 Mr. Beechers relations with his family; that considered
that would be outrage il Theodore Tton did upon his
family that he ought do It. and that feeling that way
should undertake topeynt the writing Of it. and that could
not prevent the writing Of IT, that would ry to prevent the
publication Of IT, and Mr. Beecher said to he hoped that
would prevent the writing OF that letter
O. What occurred then in regard to it' A. After that
Mr. Tlton and told him thought he ought think OF
writing reply DR. Bacon that was better oT him under
take to live down that did not think the effect Of Dr.
Bacons letter in The Ladet and his speech the college
him in Maui yv,l 1o
pcced would have and communicated what had said TO
Mr. Tton Mr. Becche and Mr. Beecher sad that be agreed
with me- that he thought it would not have the effect upon
Theodore Ton in New England that he thought would
have that Dr. did not have such extensive influence
as he Theodore h04glt he had Then saw Mr. Tton afef
the letter had been fully prepared had during its
publication and he said me ~ think that ought TO read to
you the letter" said, "Wel you have written It, then
would like 10 hear Il read"
Mr. Eyars-We don't want anything stated that is not con.
nccted with Mr. Beecher.
Tie witness-I going TO connect 1t with Mr. Beecher.
Judge NcsOnPas conversation with Mr. Beecher
and tell the rest; that will cover the whole ground.
The Wness-I said to Mr.. Beecher tina, had heard the
Bacon letter read before its publication that had under
TAKEN and did succeed in having taken from that letter the
phrase, "He has committed against my family revolving
crime aud Of having substituted in its place statement that
instead Of that he had committed an ohense told him that
much as had been able do with MI Titon and
that is the substance Of what occurred
Mr. Eyarts-That after the publication A. After tie
pG,caton told Mr. Beccher that the letter as originally
read 10 me- contained the words has committed AGAINST me
and MY family revolving crime" and told Mr. Beecher the
reason for my having substituted the words oacnser or
'crime."
Mr. FuerOn-n the Bacon letter. A. In the Bacon letter
Mr. Beach-what did you tell him. 4 said that had an
idea that il he stated he Beecher had committed against
him and his family revolving crime that as that the truth
there would be no escape from that; but if the word Oense
was used and the apology followed the charge Of ofensc in the
words Of the letter seeing that would BE- considered
honorable the him by MIR Beecher in his
church. thought that might afford basis for 'eeoncaon-
that the Of that word oGense would.
@ Handing paper witness State whether you recognize
the paper shown yoa-whehr you recognize the Bacon
letter sOcalledf A. Yes Sir; that is II, | think.
M FulleTonI propose to read that letter in evidence
lReadingl
carefully read your NewHaven address concern
late Council and also your the sub
iect, Just concluded In The IHdepeadtnf.
The numerous and extraordinary Misrepresentation Of
position which these writings Of yours will perpetuate
Injury not corrected compel me 70 lay before the data
for their which on yon part are
wholly nninenona for are incapable Of doing
any wilful wrong
in producing 10 inspection hitherto unpublished
payers and documents In this need first 20 state few
facts in chronological sequence sufficient explain the docu
HlentSry evidence which follows.
After had been for fifteen years member Of Plymouth
Church and had become meanwhile Intimate friend 0fhe pas
tOmOwiedge 1870 that he had ayast
LA< ~ oh""s@ which fuTbcar " paI4e VI ChaIaCtetLe