New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-27
LETTERS PRECEDISG a LIBEL SUIT
ASKING DAMAGES FOR BEING KEPT OUT OF THE
REFORM CLUB, OF LONDON

ASKING DAMAGES FOR BEING KEPT OUT OF THR
REFORM CLUB, OF LONDON
Club men in London have been interested
OF late IN libel suit that has some novel
features. The action was brought by two
brothers Of Joseph Chamberlain, President OF the
Board Of Trade named Herbert and Waiter
against Lennox Boyd. member Of
the Reform Club. who. 1t was alleged.
had circulated nbels against he two plaintiff,
and had thereby thrown obstacles in tho
way OF their election TO the club. The alleged
beous statement to the effect that tho conduct Of
the Chamberlain brothers "was so bad at a club In
Melbourne that round-robIn signed urging
the committee to erpel them. As. however
they there for only short time the com.
mittee did dot proceed further" This statement 1t was
urged tended to prevent certain alteration IN the rulss
by which the plaintiffs hoped an election 20 the
Reform Club. They therefore claimed $4,000 damages
from Mr.. Boyd. Before the suit wa,
brought the following correspondence passed between
Joseph Chamberlain and Mr. Boyd.
LD
HOUSE OF COMMONS, MAY %
SIR: am informed by Mr. I. d. Potter NJ. p, that
you have been spreading reports In the Reform Club
the detiment Of my brothers. who were recently oand
dates for membership and especially that you have al
legged that we were guilty a Melbourne OF some conduct
which called for the attention Of the committee Of the
Melbourne Club
have TO request that you will at once inform
on whose authority you have made these statements,
which are entirely without foundation.
propose 10 trace the eanmny to ts source IN order to
j. CHAMBERLAIN.
Reform CLUB. May "a
SIR: Sir Robert Torrens told ma that your brother,
had acted at Adelaide mot Melbourne a way which
called for the attention Of the club there, aud ssdI
might give him as h. authority for the statement which
in answer TO your note Of the 23d iDst now do only
repeated what had been said 10 me by that gentleman
/ am. sir your Obedirnl servant. J.. LESNoN BOYD.
The Right Hon. j. Chamberlain, NJ. r., House OF
Commons,
DEAR SIR ROBERT ToRRESs: have received Letter
from Mr.. Chamberlain copy OF which, and my reply,
You had just left the club the porter told me-
this afternoon when l received the letter III ques
and authorized me TO state, which did to a few
members besides several members OF the General Com
mittee. do not Ike posting my letter TIL communF
Gated with you, so please drop me a line in course
Yours most truly,
Sir r. Torrens X c. NJ O.. No IL Chesterplaco Hyde
12 CHESTER PLACE, HYDE PARK. May 20.
DEAR MR.. BOYD; In reply 10 your note OF last even
posed letter to Mr. Chamberlain is substantially correct
am sincerely yours, r. ToRREss.
MI b. Lennox Boyd ,,....-.,, ,, O ~, ,,.uoo
SIR; in receipt your letter OF the oath instant.
Meanwhile am unable to absolve You from conduct
unworthy OF gentleman in circulating behind the bAoks
ments of the truth of which it was impossible that you
could have personally convinced yourself
Mr.. LennOx Boyd. Reform Club.
80 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES HYDE PARK, W, May 2I.
SIR As you have thought IT. in your letter OF the 26th
inst. 10 impue 10 me "oondnct unworthy ola gentle
man. in circulating. behind tue backs of men wno have
nev injured me, eaumnoGs statements OF
could have personally convinced myself" l
compelled 10 say that L put implicit
faith in the statement Of Sir Robert TOrrens who is
gentleman o. the highest honor and integrity, and
add that content TO let myown conduct III the
matter be judged by those who know anu Therefore
reserve myself the right to show them the correspond
which has passed between us. Yours obedentiy,
f. LENNON Bo YD.
Right Hon. J. Chamberlain NJ. p
HIGHBURY,
MOOR GREEN, BIRMINGHAM, May 2S. !
SIR have received your letter OF the 9th inst AMI
assume tna IL Is your intention to show the CORE
spoDdenee all those to whom you have been the means
communicating the false and injurious statements TO
which IL refers. -
This Is the least you do. but IL IL not enough and
hope convince you that Implicit fath IN Sir L.
Torrens is no Justification either or legal for the
officOus zeal with which you have propagated ac0usa-
lions hich 1t Is beous TO report well 10 invent.
am sir your obedlent servant, CHAaBERLAlh.
Mr.. +. LennOx Boyd
p 81 have received reply yet from Sir r. Tor
rens whom addressed at the Reform Club as do not
know his private address.