New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-10
srTFCTIONS FROM THE MAIL
,oxcrRNING ELEAZER WILLIAMS.

IN correct certain erroneous statements
eSod in "The Nation of May g. 1894. in a review
49,, hook THE Story of Louis XVII of France"
writer Of tina; article asserts that the three
.or5crs who were in London at the same time
! ser died in Jail. many thought he (Wi.ams)
~, n have done" Those men did not die in jail
w., always insignificant. retired to former OBJ
-. Rchemont died protege of wealthy
,ess in France. and his grave was marked by
- Dauphin's name until the inscription was erased
,ss by order Of the French Government; Naun-
- died in Delft. and his tombstone bears the
w. and titles of Louis XVII. King OF France and
Navarro ~
- NJ Wilams's royal relationship is traceable
. the testimony of Williams himself, and
,r,ens are mentioned the affidavit of Mrs Will
.us that Eleazer was adopted the statement that
.,ev MAS sent from France for his support and
h~ New Orleans declaration that Beianger brought
tn America. The truth is that not one of these
-. belongs to Elelzer Wiiliams's testimony The
asay.t was copied from legal record by Mr..
Hanson: the fact that money came from France.
,ssiaes being long open secret, was publicly men
timed in THE Albany Morning Express" Of Octo-
her 10 lS5 and the Ncw-Orleans story. which first
.sme TO Mr.. Wiiliamss knowledge in ls4S. was cor
.scty stated under oath by Mrs. Brown i'm 1873.
,r existence being previously unknown to Mr..
Williams and the information ming. not through
him but in consequence of a message sent TO the
Rev Or. HAWKS.
Again Eleazer Williams is said have once de-
elared in writing that he was born in 1892 (the
n,uphin vas horn In 1850. and the reviewer is in
c,Ined to believe that statement on account of
.many collateral proofs There are proofs enough
~. IL could not he true. He first appeared in
Sany in 1875 a boy about ten years old. In the
sndayit Of John OBrien, educated half-breed
Indian who present when the stranger was
b-oucht 10 Thomas Williams, he is described as
how between ten and twelve years old. If he had
hepn born in 1872 he would have been only eight
wears Old when taken TO school in 1900: only ten
when converted" in 1902 only thirteen when sent
alope to Canada for his health in 1SS only fourteen
uben introduced to Boston clergymen in 1906 as
Young man studying for the ministry; all of which
is absurd
Again. the reviewer quotes my argument that
Naundorffs ignorance Of French is a proof that he
was an inposior as applying with equal force to
Williams. But the entirely different
Naundorff declared that he lost his mind and
,ha; until Within few months of his arrival in
Berlin he always with French-speakng people;
but E.eazsr Williams almost idiotc when LETT
with the Indians and naturally forgot what little
he retained of his native tongue. OBrien testified
thai the boy spoke French on his arrival
Again the reviewer asserts that Prince De Join
VILE did not stay one night at Green Bay. but
after dinner" pursued his journey on horseback
williamss journal has an entry for October 49, and
the language implies that the steamer reached
Green Bay during the afternoon of that day The
Interview with the Prince took place that evening
about 10 o'clock The next entry is october Il.
and states that the Prince left Green Bay the day
before October 90 "at T. o'clock"
With regard to Mr. Williamss personal appear
snce. which the reviewer declares 10 have been
more that Of an Indian than of Il white man. there
Is the opposing testimony of the many Witnesses
cited by Mir. Hanson. some of them scientific men
who examined him thoroughly and declared IN
written reports that there was no trace OF me
Indian about him. As boy his comp.exion was
fair that his skin should grow darker with age ana
through exposure to the open air was to be eXpectel
origin. conformed exactly to family pecullarty o.
he Bogrb9ns and The whole 6qd Of ms 3Sdy was
on his wrists. elbows and knees answered 70 the
Dauphins physical condition In the Temple. r. az
acquired through his long residence among the saw
ages Indians toe-in not because their ieet are
feet from injury when walking In the narrow trans
which are their only roads in the forest ,.as
brary OF the Wisconsin Historical society and my
ignorance is excusabie. as have lived since 1870 in
Europe. But did what | could TO obtain inforna,
to 'i the present owners OF the farm on Fox River
asking for the whereabouts of Mr. Wililamss pa.
prs especially his journal but the letters were not
answered. wrote also the surviving sister OF Mrs
Williams and TO the clergyman at Hogansours, ana
although the knowledge thus obtained was scam
there was nothing IN IL 70 SNAKE my laith III ,,I
Hanson mentions i-feeling on the part or indlVld-
uals and factions, eliminating in charges which
proved to be SANDERS. lie aScIlDed TINS nos
tility to difficulties arising from the transfer OF
the Indian tribes from New-Iork 10 Wisconsin,. ana
To bring forward those long forgotten troubles
Is unjust. unless the matter can be UNDERSTOOD IN
The reviewers Endorsement OF the testimony OF a
disanected neighbor, that as early as lSss MT VII
Episcopal Church" is certainly not borne out by
the facts "A disowned clergyman implies &C.
ceslastical disgrace. but Mr. Williams remained an
officiating clergyman to the end OF hl9 ne
Also. the charge that he was false In ms plerses
eminent" etc calls for an examination OF evidence
IN which many other persons besides himself are
BY ali means let us know all that there is TO be
known about Eleazer Williams but let 1t be relne-
bered that his personal character has nothing 70
do with his personal Identity and cannot aHect me
larations explained the mysterious facts in the
The reviewer declares that the Wisconsin Hstori-
telltale manuscripts. every one OF wnich ne ouene
role Of lost prince That he did burn those
papers is presumptve evidence that ne was MOI no.
which throws light upon the question 1t ought to
be made public soon az possible.
Eleazer Williams was the Dauphin, IL Is not likely
that the position Of his descendants or the cohai-
ton OF France would be altered thereby But the
discovery would save France henceforth from the
pertnaclous attempts Of the NGundorn family 70
establish their claim. and would also quiet the pre-.
tensions OF the real Bourbons. and allow that nucn
harrassed country to develop The republican FORM ,
wishes interests of the gre4: body of the people
We owe il 10 France TO do what we can TO settle
this veXed question for all time The sympathy OF
the French Government in our struggle Tor lnue-
rndence had much to do with bringing on the
French Revolution. and English revenge aided
French hatred sealing the doom OF the ne, un,
fortunate King and Queen. our successful contest
ior liberty involved the loss 10 the ,auphin OF al
hereditary station: 1t win be some amends II the
Efforts Of American citizens shall be able TO restore
10 him his real name and his rightful place In
history. ELIZABETH T.. EVANS.
Munich. Bavaria. Nov. TO- 1894
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN POLITICS.
10 the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Considering not only the interest. but the very