Year: 1874

ist OF Now England his statement would seriously dam
age him there II refuted his character pub
lie man, and that he must reply be deemed the dog
aud knave that the Doctor had characterized him. and
be forever held to be simply creature OF Beechers
magnanimy :" that he had given TO Beecher as knew
myself from being present at the time, opportunity
TO repair the mischief which Bacon had done him. ask
ing Beecher merely TO write letter TO Bacon making
IL clear that he tonl not the creature oil Beeeher
magnauimity said TO him; Do you remember tns'
Bcecher pleaded the embarrassmens OF his stuaton'
which hindered him from doing such thing as 'ha'
without reality making confessonF Triton TO
Piled: Beecher has acted in this matter Simply Win
reference to saving himself and thus leaves nothing ior
me but my vindicaton by myself


While the Bacon letter was being prepared l. dld
not see IT, but after 1t was written tnought was
but lust TO all the for which was caring that
should see its contents and therefore accepted an inV
tatlop from Tfton TO 1t read. again objected with
great yehemence and warmth to Its publication In the
presepce of winesses-one Of whom Mr. Frank Car
penter who as his friend had been brought by Tton
into the case without my intervention After consider
able discussion finding 1t impossible to control It's
publication. then sought to alter the phraseoogy OF
the inculpating portions OF 1t in such manner as
would still leave opportunity for such reply from
Beecher as might satisfy Tlton aud would prevent the
disclosure OF MT Beeeher's acts. To all my arguments
and urgings Tlton replied that he would not hold me
responsible at all for the consequences that he accepted
them all for himself alone and that he could not take
my advice upon this subject since Beeeher and MS
friends disregard counsel by continu-
ing their attacks upon him. After much persuasion
induced him TO strike out the words in the letter as
originally written-"Mr Beecher has committed against
me and my family a revolving crime "-and instead
thereof 20 insert the words: has committed against
me an oense which forbear TO name or characterize
thus omitting the word family" and suosututnga
softer word offense" susceptible OF various inter-
al ~
family which might have been regarded as capable OF
only one When thus modified even, told Tton that
] would rather give him. from my own pocket, fve
thousand dollars gold than to have him publish it,


Daring the time OF the composition OF the paper
while my opportunities with Tllton were going on
had frequent consultations with Beecher in regard to
the letter. In which told him that should do every
thing In my power to prevent its publication, which
most assuredly did, than one person can tes-
tify. Ho understood fully from me as had from
TIton that he lton) might be gOaded in sef-defense
20 expose Beeeher for misbehavor toward his family
The evening caused the change In the phraseology
above stated was the time had heard read, and
was day or before its publications and afterward,
the day that It went 10 press and before knew that
IL had gOne the Office Of The Golden Age, again
urged TltOn with every power of persuasion that L
bad, not to publish it, and suggested certain other
changes which would render Beeehers course in regard
TO IL less difficult.


MR. TRACY CONVERTED TO THE POLICY OF SUP


PRESTON


Immediately after the publication sent for Gen.
Tracy, Mr.. Beechers counsel, to to my house in
the evening. where read him the letter, and he was
much incensed called his attention to
the change the phraseoogy that had procured from
Tlton and tried show him that this letter. bad as IL
was would. properly met, be the of arriving at
final settlement and peace between the parties and
safety for the families for which purpose had made
written analysis OF the letter. in order to show how
thought the parties might be reconciled showed him
that II did not charge a crime but oense, for which
quoted apology and that Tton in the letter itself
stated that settlement had been brought about
between him and Beecher upon the basis of that apO
ogy, which he deemed honorable one, and which
would been observed but for the attacks upon him
OF Beecher and his friends and the speech Of Bacon TO
the students OF Yale and the articles In The HdeDenden
which speech and articles Tlton had already given
Beecher opportunity qualify far they related
him (nlton). At first Mr. Tracy did not accept this
view OF the case but a short time afterward
said that after thinking remarks and plans
he chad become converted to my view OF the case"
The question then to the best for Beecher
10 take relation the letter. and upon this matter
consulted with Tracy and he agreed with me that we
should undertake settle the controversy upon the
basis OF an Ofense."


A few days after the publication OF the letter met
Tilton company with three Of his friends, when
again strongly represented the mistake which In my
judgment ne Dau madeJ especially tOWaru hmseII, ny
the publication and told him that he owed 1t to him
SELF his family and his friends and 10 me in especial
degree as well all other interests involved to help
me TO fnd way still TO suppress all further publication
and to bring peace and reconciliation between himself
and Beecher He said, In the presence Of witness,
that he would say nothing more, and be satisfied If
Beecher reply to the letter and that he would
not publicly privately, insist upon a reply; and after
discussing the policy Of silence reply by Mr..
Beecher dictated TO the party then present the follow
Ing which l said would advise that Beecher should
say in substance his ecture-room his church
reply the letter, or II not that he should be silent
with either Of which Tltou had already ex-
pressed himself satisfied The paper is marked "a"


MoULToN's PROPOSED STATEMENT FOR BEECHER.


This church and community are unquestionaby and
Justly interested through the recent pnohcaton by
Theodore TtOn in TO Dr. Leonard Bacon OF New


II IS true that have committed OfFense AGAINST
Theodore Tton giving that ohense the force OF
his construction, made an apology and reparatlon
such both he and at the time declared full and ana
goaded his defense by Interpretations or msun-
derstanding of my position toward him. sha, never
be party to the reopeDing Of this question which has
been honOraby settled between Theodore Tton and
myself have committed no crime and IL this society
believes that it due to 1t that should reopen this
already painful subec resign, will resign.


s, a" GOd bsr ed Oay RSGSE a
Christening to do good than have ever been'


THIS paper have. in the handwriting OF the gen
teman who took down at the tme and who testify
10 the accuracy this statement Upon hearing it read
Tlton pledged himself 10 and final settlement
Beecher would either speak write the substance OF
the words above quoted or keep silent.


CONSULTATIONS WITH MR.. BEECHER.


within q day or two-I think, the next day-I saw
Beecher at my house, and in the presence OF wit
ness had consultation reference to the Bacon letter
aud discussed the best way OF meeting that letter We
nrs considered the policy OF entire sience next what
was best TO say in case anything said and at his
request gave him copy OF the paper above set forth