New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-25
PECULIARITIES OF THE LETTER OF CON
TRITON.

At the time of the adjournment I was ad-
vertng to the paper once known The Apology" re-
Gently the Letter of COntrtion" for small
matter nomenclature this case has been onstanty
growing. 1t very curious paper Ny friend, Judge
Morris is absent, and have not therefore, the original
but If the jury will be kind enough look at the mper
fectand reduced photograph it will sufficiently to
plain what desire 10 call their attention TO. Mr. Porter
here handed 10 the jury The Graphic reproduction Of the
letter. You will be struck with thing in particular
in connection with that paper 1t the
first instance, probably, in all your observation and
experience Of any human being writing letter 10 him
self IT is not possible. MoutOn says it happened.
don't know but il did. Another extraordinary feature
about this letter that the who writes letter to him
self addresses himself Ny Dear Friend Moulton"
somewhat exaggerated form OF expression, 1t would
for apply to himself. and arising out OF
friendship Of AS hours duration Another noteworthy
feature the paper and that is that purpors to begin
and to end with a declaration Of the trust which this
scOundrel betrayed. III trust with D. Moulton" ."
have trusted this 10 MOutOn in confidence"
Another noteworthy feature OF it is that IL Henry Ward
Beecher dictated that letter word by word from Alpha
Omega MOultOn deliberately swears, 1t is the only
paper he dictated and contains the only sentences
he has uttered since he 70 mans estate that
were not even common, good. grammatical English.
How did il happen that this man, master in every in
telectual department, orator who, If he were in
mad house. would still be eloquent, comes the moment
he gets into the presence Of his dear friend Frank
MOultOn" De pulling school girl. who can't write his
mother toncue There is another still more noteworthy
of this letter connection with the evidence OF
Frank MOulton. and that is, Henry Ward Beecher d.
rected him to write it, and dictated every word Of H.,
heard MouOn read every word Of It, approved every
word of IT, read through himself and then when MoultOn
asked him to sign it, did not sign it. Why not On his
explanation 1t Is perfectly obvious why he should not
sign the paper. On MoultoDs how is it comprehensive
that the who the author of the letter who in
tended to write it, who dictated IT, heard it, approved it,
refused to IT, and puts in the corner, for purpose
Of disguise for it Is his handwritlng-pus certi
cate the end of that paper have trusted this TO
MoultOn i'll confidence" Why, gentlemen every one Of
you knows how that done. Then that tea bell rang
and Frank Moulton gathered together his sheets he
says You had better sign this" why certainly not
it is not my letter" "Oh, well, it will do better with
Theodore. Put something just state that you trust this
in confidence" Anything TO get his name there
MotOn that he had his confidence and wanted his
name. He that he trusted him. and he wanted him
TO certify that he trustworthy. He knew what he
had written there Beeeher did not And he knew what
he wanted written there and Beecher wrote It. The
cOniding OeO the other treacherOus and snakelRe
IGgO.