Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1874 — THE GREAT SCANDAL. [ARTICLE]

THE GREAT SCANDAL.

Mr. Moulton’s Full Statement Made Public. ._ The long-promised statement of Francis D. Moulton, in reply to the statement of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, was given to the public on the 21st. It is a formidable document, comprising abont twenty columns of ordinary newspaper type. The salient portions only are here given. Mr. Moulton prefaces his statement witli an explanatory card in which he details the circumstances which cnllcd it forth. He had been a friend of Mr. Tilton fromhoyhood and had always entertained for Mr. Beecher the warmest admiration. In 1870 he had learned that Mr. Beeeher had given Mr. Tilton a grave cause of offense, and because he believed the revelation of the scandal would undermine the foundations of social order and blast the prospects and blight the family of one of the most brilliant men of this generation he had labored assiduously to keep it concealed and effect a harmonious settlement of all difficulties. This labor had continued for four years, and when it had foiled to accomplish what was desired Mr. Beecher had seen lit to visit on him (Moulton) the penalty of his own wrong-doing, and at the same time demanded that he should tell what lie knew, as it would justify his attack on him.

Mr. Beecher in his statement had said that he brought this investigation without Moulton's knowledge or advice. Even while mourning what seemed to him the unwisdom of the proceedings he had done all he could to avert the catastrophe. He had denied the united and public appeals made by both Beecher and Tilton to § reduce the evidence in his possession, but he ad stated that clearly in an emergency he should speak in defense of his own integrity, if assailed. By the published accusation of Mr. Beecher his own self-respect made it imperative that the “truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” should be told, and he therefore gave to the public the statement he had prepared for the committee, but which, at the earnest solicitation of the friends of Mr. Beecher, he had withheld. Its publication was not in the interest of either party, but solely for his own protection against public accusations which affected himself personally. He was profoundly grieved at the necessity which seemed to compel the publication, but his grief was alleviated by the fact that the discloaure could scarccly-work more harm .to Mr. Beecher at the present time than it would have (gmsed him in January, 1871, when, but for iiis Interference, the public would most assuredly have been put in possession of the whole truth. The statement to the committee here follows: Mr. Moulton, after recounting the faet of bis acquaintance with Messrs. Tilton and Beecher, and his admiration of their genius, says that up to the date of Tilton's valedictory as editor of the Independent he had been frequently a visitor at Tilton’s house, and had seen himself and Mrs. Tilton under all phases of social intercourse, but hud never heard or known of the slightest disagreement or unkindness existing between them, and believed their marital relations were almost exceptionally pleasant. On the 26th of December Mr. Tilton, returning from an interview with Mr. Bowen, told him that Bowen had made certain accusations against Beecher, and had challenged Tilton to write an open letter demanding that he should cease his ministry at Plymouth Church, which Bowen was to deliver. He told Boweu that he believed his accusations against Beecher because he had made improper advances to Mrs. Tilton. He afterward learned from Mr. Beecher that Bowen had delivered to him tlie open letter referred to. In a day or two after Mr. Tilton informed him that when he told Bowen that he was going to call on Beecher he came up to the office in great anger and told him that if he should say to Beecher what lie (Bowen) had told him concerning his (Beecher's) adultery he would dismiss him from the Independent and the Union. Tilton told him he had never been influenced by threats, and he would not be in the present Case, and subsequently received Bowen's letter of dismissal. On the evening of the 30th of December Tilton came to him anti said that by his wife’s request he had determined to see Beecher, in order to show Beecher the confession of his wife of intercourse between them, which he (Tilton) had never up to that time mentioned to Beecher, and the fact of the confession of which his wife had told him that she had never told Beecher; that her confession had been made ill tlie July previous iu writing, which writing lie (Tilton) had afterward destroyed, but his wife, fearing that if Bowen’s accusations against Beecher were made public the whole matter would be known and her own conduct with Beecher become exposed, had renewed her confession in her own handwriting, which Tilton handed to him (Moulton) to read. Tilton wanted him to go down and ask Beecher to come up and see him (Tilton) at Moulton's house. He went and said to Beecher: “ Mr. Tilton wants you to come and see him at my house immediately.” He asked what for. Moulton replied: “He wants to make some statement to you in reference to your relations with his family,” He then called to some one in the hack room to go down and say that he should not be at prayer-meeting, and Moulton and Beecher wont out together. It was storming at tlie time, when he remarked: “There is ail appropriateness in this storm,” and asked Moulton, "Wliat can I do? what can I do?” He said: " Mr. Beecher, lam not a Christian, but, if you wish, I will show you how well a heathen can serve yon.” They then went to Moulton’s house, ami he showed him into a chamber over the parlor, where Mr. Tilton was. and left them together. In about an Hour Mr. Beecher came down and asked him if he had seen the confession of Elizabeth. He said he had. Said Beecher: " This will kill me,” and asked Moulton to go walk with him. They walked to Mr. Tilton’s house together. Oil the wav he said: “This is a terrible catastrophe. It comes upon me as if struck by lightning.”

Beecncr went into Tilton's house, and Moulton his own house. Within an hotir Beecher returned, and shortly after left for his home, Moulton accompanying him. When they arrived at Beecher’s house he wanted Moulton to stand by him in his emergency, and procure a reconciliation, if possible. He told him he would, because the interests of w-Qmen, children and families were involved, if for no other reason. That ended the interview that night. During this evening nothing was said by Beecher as to the truth or falsity of Mrs. Tilton's confession, nor did he inform him that he had obtained from her any recantation of the confession. Moulton returned to his house and had some conversation with Tilton, in which he told him that he had recited to Beecher the details of the confession of his wife’s adulteries, and the remark which Beecher made was: “This is all a dream, Theodore,” ami that was all the auswer Beecher made to him. Moulton then advised Tilton that for the sake of his wife and family, and for the sake of Beecher's family, the matter should be kept quiet and hushed up.

The next morning Tilton came to his house and informed him. with great anger, that Beecher had done a mean act: that he bad gone from the interview of the night before to his house and procured from Elizabeth a recantation and retraction of her confession. He said for that act he would “smite him;” that there could be no peace. He said: “You see that what I have told you of the meanness of that man is now evident,” -Tilton said that Beecher, at the interview oflasf night,' had astced his pcTtntsstcui to go add see Elizabeth, and he told him he might go, which statement was confirmed hy Beecher himself, and Beecher left him for • that purpose. Moulton said to Tilton: "Now- don’t get angry; let us see if even this cannot be arranged. I will go down and get that retraction from him.’' In the evening Moulton visited Beecher, and told him he had done a mean and treacherous act, treacherous, first, toward him. from whom he wanted help, in that he did not tell him on the wav to his house the night before wliat he had procured from Mrs Tilton, and that he could not expect his friendship in.this matter unless he acted truthfully and honorably toward him. Hi: further said: *<Mr. Beecher, you have had- criminal intercourse with Mrs. Tilton. You have done great iujurv to Tiltou otherwise. , Now, When you are confronted with it, you ask permission of the mail to again visit his honse. and you get from that woman who has confessed that you have ruined her a recantation of the truth for your mere personal safety. That won't save you.” At that interview Beer her admitted with grief and sorrow the fact of his sexual Relations with Mrs. Tilton. He said that Mrs. Beeeher and him Self, without knowing of the confession of Mrs. Tilton to her husband, had been expressing great sympathy toward Mrs. Tilton, and taking active interest with her against her husband. Moulton said: “ Mr. Beecher, i want that recantation. I have come for it." -‘-AVell.” said he, “what shall I do without it?” He replied: "Idon'tknow; Ican't tell you what will happen with it." He asked: ■■ What will you do if I give it to you?" Moulton answered: > I will keep it as 1 keep the confession. If you act honorably I will protect it w ith my life as 1 would protect the other with my life. Mr. Tilton asked-for that confession this morning, and 1 said ' 1 will never give It to you: you' shall not have it from my hands until I have exhausted every effort for peace.’ > ; * Mr. Beecher gave him hack the paper. * When*he went Home with the recantation lie found Tilton there and showed it to him. He expressed his surprise and gratification that he should have been able to get it, and he then showed to him . how very foolish it would have been iu the morning to have proceeded angrily against Beecher. He made another appeal for peace, saying that, notwithstanding the great difficulties appearing in the why; if they were properly dealt with they would be Deaton out of the w'iy. He expressed hlti willingness and desire for peace. On the Ist of Jatauary, in accordance with a previous understanding, he went' to Beecher’s

house and went Into his etndy, where he told him again of his great surprise that Elizabeth should have made the confession of his criminal commerce with her to her husband without letting -him know anything about it, making his destruction at any moment possible, and without warning to him. He expressed his grqat grief at this wrong which he had done as a minister and friend to Theodore, and, at his request, Moulton took pen and paper and Beecher dictated to him tlie paper known as “ the apology,” all of which was in Moulton's handwriting except, the words, “I have trusted this to Moulton In confidence,” and the signature, which latter were in Mr. Beecher’s. Mr. Moulton says this was intrusted to him in confidence, to be shown only to Tilton. It had reference to no other fact or act than the confession of sexual relations between Beecher and Mrs. Tilton, which he at that interview confessed, and that he had also at subsequent interviews unqualifiedly confessed that he had been guilty of adultery with Mrs. Tilton, and always in a spirit of deep grief and sorrow at the enormity of the crime he had committed against Mr. Tilton’s family. At such times he would speak with much' feeling of the relation which he had sustained toward them as pastor, spiritual adviser and trusted friend. His self-condemnation at the ruin he had wrought under such circumstances was full and complete, and at times he was so bowed down with grief in consequence of the foul wrong he had done that he threatened to put an end tonis life. In that interview Beecher was very earnest in his expressions of regret at what had been done against Tilton inTeiatien to his business connection with‘Bowen, and besought Moulton to do anything he could to save him from the destruction which would come upon him if the story of his (Beecher’s) intercourse with Mrs; Tilton should be divulged. In compliance with the directions of Beecher, Jan. 1,1871, he took the paper which Beecher had dictated to him to Tilton, detailed to him Beecher’s expressions of regret and sorrow, spoke to him of his agony of mind, and again appealed to him to have the whole matter kept quiet, if for no other reason, for the sake of the children. To this Tilton assented. Mr. Moulton then gives a full history of Tilton’s claim against Bowen, of the Independent , for damages for cancellation of the contract for editorial services, and the settlement of that claim by in Tilton known as the “tripartiteagreement” was signed hy Bowen and Tilton, and subsequently ...by. Beecher. In the form in which it was drawn it hound the parties to say nothing of any wrong done or of- * fchsc committed bv Beecher, and fully exonerated him therefrom. After Bowen had signed it. it was handed to Tilton to sign, and he refused. He was willing to sign an agreement never to repeat again the charges of Bowen, saying that, if for uo other reason, if the matter should thereafter ever come to light, it would appear that there had been something between Beecher and Mrs. Tilton, and it might he used as evidence to the injury of himself and family, as well as of Beecher, and, therefore, it was not for the interest of either Tiltou or Beecher to sign it in the form first proposed. From the time of the tripartite covenant nothing occurred to disturb the relations between Beecher, Tiltou and Bowen, or either of them, until the publication in Woodhull <(■ Clajlin's Weekly of the elaborate story concerning the social relations between Beecher, Tilton and Mrs. Tilton. After that publication appeared it again came to the knowledge of Beecher that Bowen was making declarations derogatory to his character. This was followed by the publication of the tripartite covenant, which was (lone by Samuel Wilkeson. Beecher was not a party to its publication, nor knew anything about it. Another curious complication of the relations of the parties arose from the publication hy Mrs. Woodhull of the story in. her Journal. It is a matter of public notoriety that Mrs. Isabella Beecher iiooker, the sister of Beecher, had espoused the cause of Mrs. Woodhull on the question of woman’s suffrage and had been accused still further of adopting her social tenets. Beecher’s relations to Mrs. Tilton had been communicated to her. This had been made a subject of communication from Mrs. Hooker to her brother, and, after the publication by Mrs. Woodhull. Mrs. Hooker addressed the famous letter to her brother, in which she implored him to confide the whoietruth-te-herr ———• ——-—— ———— Then follows the letter from Rev. Thomas K. Beecher to Mrs. Hooker, in which lie says that he respected Mrs. Woodhull but abhorred her philosophy, and that she was only carrying out “ Henry’s philosophy, against which I recorded mv protest twenty years ago, and parted lovingly and achingly from him, saying: ’We cannot work together.’ He has drifted, and I have hardened like acrystal, till I am sharp-cornered and exacting.” Mr. Moulton saw Mr. Beecher, conversed about these letters at various times, and Beecher said lie was apprehensive that his sister in her anxiety that he should do his duty in presenting this truth as she understood it, and in protecting Mrs. Woodhull from the consequences of having published the truth, from which she was then suffering, would go into his pulpit and insist on declaring that the Woodhull publication was substantially true. Moulton suggested that he should see Mrs. Hooker, speak to her kindly, and exhort her not to take this course; and that Tilton should see tier, and so far shake her confidence in the truth of the story as to induce her to doubt whether she Would be safe in making the statement public. In this course Beecher agreed, and such arguments and inducements were brought to bear upon Mrs. Hooker as were likely to prevent her from doing that which would have certainly brought on an exposure of the whole business. During the consultations between Beecher and Moulton as to the means of meeting Mrs. Hooker's intentions, no suggestion was ever made on the part of Beecher that his sister was then, or had been at any othertime, insane. Beecher was inglv anxious that Tilton should repudiate the statement published by Woodhull, and denouncing her for its publication.

Beecher asked Moulton to say to Tilton substantially: "Theodore may for his own purpose, if he choose, say that all his misfortune has come upon him on account of his dismissal from the Union and the Independent; and on account of the offense which 1 committed against him he may take the position against me and Bowen that he does. Yet the fact is that his advocacy of Mrs. Woodhull and her theories has done him the injury which prevents his rising. Now. in order to get support from me and from Plymouth Church, and in order to obtain the sympathy of the whole community, he must publish a carddenving the allegations of Mrs. Woodhull, and unless he does it he cannot rise.” lie also said the same thing to Tiltou in Moulton’s presence. To this Tilton answered, in substance, to Beecher: “You know why I sought Mrs. WoodhuH’e acquaintance. It was to save my family and yours from the consequences of your acts, the facts about which hau become known to tier. They have now been published, and I will not denounce that woman to save you from the consequences of what you yourself have done." After Moulton'had carried to Mr. Tilton the paper of apology which referred to Beecher's adultery, and had received assurances that all between Tilton and Beecher should be kept quiet, Moulton conveyed the information to Beecher, who was profuse in bis expressions of thankfulness and gratitude. * ” Mr Moulton here states that Mrs. Morse, the mother-in-law of Mr. Tilton, who was from time to time an inmate of his family in Livingston street, had. as he had been informed both by Mr. and Mrs. Tilton, learned from her daughter the criminal relationship existing between Beecher aiid herself, and who could not understand why that matter had been settled, and who had not been told how it had been adjusted, and who had had a most bitter quarrel with Tilton, accusing him of not having so carried his affairs as to keep what fortune he had. and who had called upon Beecher about the relations between Tiltou and Mrs. Tilton, and who had, as Beecher had informed him (Moulton), filled the” miuds of Mrs. Beecher and himself with stories of Tilton's infidelity and improper conduct to his wife, wrote a letter to Mr. Beecher, under date of Jan. 27, 1871, in which letter Mrs. M. speaks of the suffering in Mr. Tilton's familv, and especially of neglect and want endured by Mrs. T. She says: av *- v %f D ..„hi. Y oa n L |ll'O (Lino

“Neither Mrs 8.. vonrself, nor I can have done anvthing to ameliorate her condition. She has been for the last three weeks with one very indifferent girl. T. has sent the others away, leaving mv sick and distracted child to care for all four children; night and day, without fires in the furnace. or anything like comfort or nourishment in the house. She has not seen any one. He says • she is mourning.for her sin.’ If this he so, one twenty-four hours nuder this sheet I think is enough to atone for a life-long sin. however heinous. I know that any change in his affairs would bring more trouble upon her and more suffering. I did not think for a moment when I asked Mrs. B. as to your call there, supposing she knew it, of course, as she said you would not go there without her. 1 was innocent (sic) of making anv misunderstanding, if there was anv. You sav. keep quiet. I have all through her married lifer done so. and we now see our error (sic). It has brought him to destruction, made me utterlr miserable, turned me from a comfortable home, and brought his own family toboggan. 1 don't believe, if bis honest debts were paid, he would have enough to buy ghclr breakfast (sic). .This she could endure, and thrive under, but the publicity Re has given to this recent and most crushing of all trouble is what has taken the life out of her. 1 know of twelve persons whom he has told, and they In turn have told others. I had thought we had as much as we conld live under from hts neglect and ungovernable temper. But this is the death-blow to us both, ana I doubt not Florence has hers. De you know when I hear of your cracking your jokesfrom Sunday to Sunday, and think of the misery

yon have brought upon ns, I think with the Psalmist, ‘There is no God.’ Admitting all he says to be the Invention of his half-drunken brain, still the effect upon ns is the same for all. He believes it. Now he’s nothing to do, he makes a target of her night and day. lam driven in this extremity to pray for her release from ail suffering, by God’s taking her to himself, for if there is a Heaven I know she'll go there. The last time she was in his house she said: ' Here I feel I have no home, but on the other side I know I shall be more welcome.’ Oh, my precious child, how my heart bleeds over yon in thinking of yonr suffering. Can you do anything in the matter? Must she live in this suffering condition of mind and body, with no alleviation? Sir, you or any one else who advises her to live with him when he is doing all he can to kill her by slow torture is anything but a friend. * * * I thought the least yon could do was to put your name to a paper to help reinstate my brother in the Custom House. Elizabeth was as disappointed as myself. He ft still without employment, with a sick wife and live children to feed, behind with rent, and everything else behindhand. If your wife has adopted Lib (sic), or yon sympathize with her, I pray you do something for her relief before it is too late. Ho swears so soon as her breath leaves her body he will make the whole thing public, and this prospect I think is one thing which keeps her living. I know of no other. She’s without nourishment (sic) for one in her state, and in want, actual want. They would both deny it, no doubt, but it’s true.’’ In reply to the foregoing Mr. Beecher writes a short letter which contains the following: “My course toward you hitherto should satisfy you that I have sympathized with your distress, but Mrs. Beecher and I, after full consideration, are of one mind, that, under the present circumstances, the greatest kindness to you and to all will be, in so far as we arc concerned, to leave to time the rectification of all the wrongs, whether they prove real or imaginary.” Mr. Moulton says he purposerly omits the name of the young girl in the expression by Mrs, Morse that ‘"Tilton has sent , with the others, away,” and adds that “ the reason why it was desirable she should' be away from Brooklyh, as given .by me and Mrs. Tilton, was this: She had overheard conversation by them concerning Mrs. Tilton’s criminal intimacy with Beecher, and she had reported these conversations to several friends of the family. Being young, and not knowing the consequences of her prattling, it seemed proper for the safety of the two families That she should be sesrio a distance to school, which was accordingly done. She was sent to a boarding-school in tile Wcst. aml the expenses of her stay there were probably paid throngh me by Beecher, to whom I had stated the difficulty of having the girl remain in Brooklyn, and he agreed with us that it was best that she should be removed, and offered to bear the cost of her schooling. The bills were sent to me from time to time as they became due, a part of them through Mrs. Tilton.” Here arc given two short notes in Mrs. Tilton’s handwriting, signed by this girl, purporting to exonerate Mr. Tilton from any improper attempts toward the young lady, saying that Mrs. Tilton's mother had repeatedly sought to hire her by ottering monev and presents to go to certain persons and tell them stories injurious to the character of Mr. Tilton; that she had not, at the time of this occurrence, thought Mr. Tilton’s caresses were for any bad purpose, and that she did not want to be used by Mrs. Morse or any one else to bring trouble on her two best friends, Mr. and Mrs. Tilton. She characterizes a story that Tilton had at one time used violence toward her for a bad purpose as a “wicked lie." Mr. Moulton says this young lady, while at school, informed a friend of Mrs. Tilton (a Mrs. P.) of the stories of the family relations, and these stories having come to- the knowledge of his (Moulton’s) mends, creating an impression upon their minds unfavorable to Mr. Tilton, he took pains to trace them back to the one to whom the girl had told them, and soon after received from Mr. Tilton a letter written by Mrs. Tilton to Mrs. I’., in which she says: “I nave mistakenly felt obliged to deceive . . . these two years, that my husband had made false accusations against me, which he never has to her or any one, in order that he may not appear on his defense, thus adding the terrible exposure of a lawsuit. Will you implore silence on her part against any indignation which she may feel against him—for the onlv ray of light and hope in this midnight gloom is his entire sympathy and co-operation in my behalf?” . Mr. Moulton here gives a statement of account of the girl’s school expenses, and save all these sums were paid by Mr. Beecher and he (Moulton) forwarded the money to settle them through Mrs. Tilton, or sent money directly to the principal of the school at her request. Mr. Moulton siws: Mr. Beecher was anxious to ascertain Mr. Tilton’s feeling toward him, and to get a statement in writing that would seem to free him (Beecher) from imputation thereafter, and a letter is given, dated Feb. 7.1871. from Mr. Tilton to Mr. Moulton in which Mr. T. writes: “Isay, therefore, very cheerfully that, notwithstanding the great suffering he has caused Elizabeth and myself, I bear him no malice, shall do him no wrong, shall discountcnanceevery project, by whomsoever proposed, for any exposure of his secret to the public; and, if I know myself at all, shall endeavor to act toward Mr. Beecher as I would have him in similar circumstances act toward me.” Mr. Moulton says he had known Mrs. Tilton well and had had no suspicions of infidelity on the part of either her or her husband toward the other up to the time of the reading of her original confession. On the 31st of December. 1871. be received a letter from Mrs. Tilton asking that he bring to ner, that they might be destroyed, her letters, the one he (Moulton) had and the one she had given Mr. Beecher at his dictation the evening before. Mr. M. did not accede to this request because “ I had pledged myself to Beecher that her retraction on the one side and her confession to Tilton on the other (which are the papers she refers to as ‘my letter which you have and the one I gave Mr. Beecher’) sbonla not be given up. but should be held for the protection of either as against the other.”

A letter is given by Mr. Moulton, written to him by Mrs. Tilton Jan. 4, 1871 (but dated by mistake 1870). ill which she emphatically and iudignantlv denies that she had ever sought a separation from her husband. The story that she wanted a separation was a “deliberate falsehood carried by my poor mother, who said she would bear the responsibility of this and other statements she might make, and communicated to my husband's enemy, Mrs. If. W. Beecher, and bv her communicated to Mr. Bowen.” Another letter of Mrs. Tilton is also given to show that the story that she desired a separation from her husband did not emanate froin her, and was not in accordance with her feelings at that .time, Jan. 13,1871. Mr. Moulton says he had as a necessary precaution to the peace ot the family and parties interested interdicted all parties from having communication with each other except husband and w ife, unless that communication was known to him, and the letters sent through him or shown to him. . Mr. Tilton aud Mr. Beecher both faithfully complied with their promise in that regard so tar as he knew, but on his return from Florida in the spring of 1871 Mr. Beecher placed in his hund the following unsigned letter from Mrs. Tilton, in her haudwciting, undated, hut marked, in his handwriting. " Received March 8:” “Wednesday, . “Mv Dear Friend —Does your, heart bound tmvarri ail as it used? So does mine. 1 am myself again, ( did not dare to tell you till 1 was sure, but the bird has snug in my heart these four w eeks, and be has covenanted with me never again to leave. Spring has come * * *, Because I thought it would gladden you to know this, and not to trouble nor embarrass you in any wav, I now write. Of course I Should like to share with you my joy, but can wait for the beyond. when, dear'Frank says. I may once go to old l’lvmouth. I will thank the dear Father.” He did not show this letter to Mr. Tilton, or inform him of its existence. On the 21st of April, 1871, Mr. Beecher received another letter, unsigned, from Mrs. Tilton, saying: "As Mr. Moulton has returned, will you use yonr influence to have the papers in his possession destroyed? My heart bleeds night and day at the injustice of their existence.” Mr. Moulton could not comply with this rtmucst, nor did he show this secondfetter to Mr. Tilton, or call Mrs. T.'s attention to it. On the 3d of May Mr. Beecher handed him still another lettey. unsigned, but in Mrs. T.'s bandwriting, and reading as follows: Brooklyn. N. Y., May 3,1871.

“Mb. Bkechkk— My future, either for life or death, would be happier could I but feel that you forgave, while you forget me in all the sad complication* of the past year. My endeavor waa to entirely keep from you all suffering, to bear myself atone, leaving you forever ignorant of it. My w eapons were love, a large, untiring generosity, aud nest-hiding. That I failed utterly we both know, but now'l ask forgiveness.’' Mr. Moulton says the contents of this letter were so remarkable . that “ I queried within my ow n mind whether I ought not to show it to Til- - ton; but as 1 was assured by Beecher, and verily believed, and now believe, that they were unanswered by him, I thought it best to retain it in mv own possession, as 1 have done until now; btit from the hour of its reception what remained of faith in Mrs. Tilton's character for truth or propriety ol conduct was wholly lost, and from that time forth I had no thought or care for her reputation, only so far as it affected that of her children” Mr. Moulton having learned that Mrs. Tilton had been making declarations which were sullying the reputation of her husband, aud givifig it to be understood that her home was uot a happy one. because of the want of religious sympathy between herself and huaband, and sometimes speaking of her unhappiness without defining specially the cause, thus leaving for the busybodies and intermeddlers to infer causes of unhappiness which she did not state, he called upon her and cautioned her in this respect, and subsc-

fluently received a letter from her dated Feb. 11, 1872, in which she says that until he had called her attention to the fact she had not Reen nor fel that whenever in conversing with others to the shadowing of Theodore she became his enemy, and that it was her who had hindered the reconciliation more than any one else. She says; “I have not been equal to the great work of the past year. I have done much to cause the utter misery of those I love best—my mother, husband, Mr. 8., my dear children.” After the signing of the “tripartite covenant,” Mr. Tilton desired the return to him of his wife’s confession, to relieve her anxiety as to its possible falling into wrong hands. Mr. Moulton gave up the document, which Mr. Tilton subsequently informed him his wife had destroyed, and she also confirmed the statement. Some time after this Mr. Moulton learned from Mr. Beecher that Mrs. Tilton had told him that when she made hpr confession to her husband of her infldelity with him (Beecher) her husband had made a like confession to her of Infidelities on his part with other women. Mr. Moulton never having heard Mrs. T. claim that her husband had made any such confession, although she had freely admitted her own transgressions with Mr. 8., brought the matter to the attention of Mr. Tilton, who promptly denied that he had ever made any such confession, or that his wife ever claimed that he had. They then had an interview with Mrs. Tilton, who then, in the presence of Mr. Moulton alone, acknowledged that she had told Mr. Beecher that her husband had made the alleged confession of infidelity on his part. Then, in the presence of Mr. Tilton, immediately afterward, she said she could not have understood Mr. Moulton’s question relating to this matter, adding: “Because it isn't true that Theodore ever made such confession, and I didn't state it to Beecher because it is not true.” The next morning Mr. Moulton received the following letter from Mrs. Tilton, without date, but It was after the tripartite covenant: “Dear Francis— l did tell you two falsehoods at your last visit. At first I entirely misunderstood your question, thinking you had reference to the interview at yoar house the day before; but when I intelligently replied to you, I replied falsely. I told Mr. Beecher that, at the time of my confession, T. had made similar confessions to me of himself but no developments as to persons. When you then asked for your own satisfaction, ‘Was it so?’ I told my second lie. -After yon had left I said to T- -‘You know I was obliged to lie to Frank ;’ and I now say. rather than make others suffer as I now do. I musTTle, for Trig a physical impossibility for me to tell the truth;yet I do think, Francis, had not T.'s angry, troubled face been before me, I would have told you the truth. I am a perfect coward in his presence, not from any fault of his, perhaps, but from long years of timidity. I implore you, as this is a side-issue, to be careful not to lead me into further temptation. You may show this to T. or Mr. B. or any one as an effort made for truth. Wretchedly, (Signed) “ Elizabeth.” After the publication on the 2d of November, ’72, in Woodhull <k C'laflin't Weekly, ot the story of Tilton’s and Beecher's conduct in relation to Mrs. Tilton, Mr. Monlton was continually asked if such story was true, and he found it quite difficult in making an answer. In some cases he doubted not inquirers supposed he denied the truth of the charge, but upon that point he was very careful not directly to commit himself. Finding that his silence was working injury to the cause of the suppression of the scandal, he told Ti(ton that he wished to be authorized by his wife to deny It. Soon after he received a paper without date from Mrs. Tilton, in which she said: “ For my husband's sake and my children’s, I hereby testify with all my woman's soul that I am Innocent of the crime of impure conduct alleged against me. I have been to my husband a true wife in his love. I wish to live and die. My earlv affection for him still burns with its maiden flame, all the more for what he has borne for my sake, both private and public wrongs. Having had the power to strike others, he has forborne to use it, and allowed himself to be injured instead. I bless him every day for his faith in me, which swerves not. and for standing my champion against all my accusers.” Upon the strength of this paper he then afterward said Mrs. Tilton denied the story. About the 16th of December, 1872, Mr, Carpenter and Dr. Storrs undertook to look up the reports with the intention of advising some public statement, or as being concerned in some investigation of the matter, and Mrs. Tilton wrote for them the paper hearing that date, as follows; ~ “ December 16, 1872. “In July. 1870, prompted by my duty, I informed mv husband that Mr. H. W. Beecher, my friend and pastor, had solicited me to be a wife to him, together with all that this implied. Six months afterward my husband felt impelled by the circumstances of a conspiracy against him. in which Mrs. Beecher had taken part, to havo an interview with Mr. Beecher, in order that Mr. B. might know exactly what I had said to my husband. 1 wrote a brief statement, I have forgotten in what words, which my husband showed to Mr. Beecher. Late the same evening Mr. B. came to me, lying very sick at the time, and filled with distress, saying I bad ruined him. and wanting to know if I meant to appear against him. This I certainly did not intend to do, and the thought was agonizing to me. I then signed a paper which he wrote to dear him in case of a trial. 111 this instance. as in most others when absorbed by one great interest or reeling, the harmony of my mind was entirely disturbed, and 1 found on reflection that this paper was so drawn as to place me most unjustly against my husband and on the side of Mr. Beecher; so, in order to repair so crnel a blow to my long-suffering husband, I wrote an explanation of the ffrst paper over my signature. Mr. Moulton procured from Mr. Beecher the statemeu t which 1 gave to him in my agitation and excitement, and now holds it. This ends my connection with the case. (Signed) “ Elizabeth R. Tilton. “ P. S.—This statement is made at the request of Mr. Carpenter, that it may be shown confidentially to Dr. Storrs and other friends with whom mv husband and I are consulting." This paper was delivered to Mr. Monlton, and the theory of the confession then was that Mr. and Mrs. Tilton should admit no more than the solicitation, but that endeavor to make an explanation of the business fell through, and after It was shown to those interested, as I was told, the paper remained with me. Mr. Moulton received no further communication from Mrs. Tilton until the 25th of June of this vear, 1874. and that communication came to him in this wise: When Mr. Tilton showed him his (Dr. Bacon's) letter, he most strouglv and earnestly advised against its publication,’ and said to Mr. T. in substance that while he admitted the wrong and injustice of Dr. Bacon's charge, that he (Mr. T.) had lived by the magnanimity of Beecher, and that he was a dog and a knave! when he (Moulton) believed he had acted a proper and manly part in endeavoring to shield his ramilv. vet that its pmblication would so stir the public mind that an investigation would be forced upon him and Beecher in some manner, and that the truth would in all probability have to come ont. or so mnch of it that Mrs. Tilton and Mr. Beecher would he dishonored and destroyed, and Mr. Tilton himself be subjected to the severest criticism. Mr. Tilton insisted upou the publication of the letter: the only modiflea--tion- Mr.-Moulton was able to get being that, whereas the letter originally read that Mr. Beecher had committed against Mr. Tilton and his family a “revolting crime.” as published it said "an offense committed against me.” Mr, Moulton secured this change in the letter in hopes that a reconciliation might yet be effected between all the parties cofleerned, and an exposure be thus avoided. After giving a brief note from Mrs. THton. in which she asks his forgiveness for having coupled his name w ith Mr. Carpenter’s as having advised the publication of the Bacon letter, Mr. Monlton save that having now placed before the committee his statement of facts concerning Mrs. Milton, and documentary evidence that he had to support them, and as thev are diametrically opposed to nearly all that Mrs. Tilton appears to declare in her published statement, he deems it his dntv to himself and to his position in this terrible'business to say that during this affair Mrs. Tilton has more than Once admitted fa him and to another person, whom he does not care to bring into this controversy, the fact of her infidelities with Mr. Beecher. aDd that she,never has denied them other than in written papers prepared for a purpose which he had already exhib-

Mr. Moulton here gives a portion of the history of the connection oi Mrs. Woodhnll with this case after the fall of 1871. He produces a letter from Mrs. 'V. to Mr. Beecher, to the effect that two of his (Mr. B.'s) sisters were assailing her character, and that he (Beecher) knew that it was In her power to strike back in a very disastrous way, and demanding an ipterview. The interview was held, at ufhich Mrs. Woodhnll desired Mr. Beecher to preside at her meeting in Steinway Hall, and Mr. Tilton also urged him to do so. Sr. Tilton subsequently preslaedat the meeting, thus, as Mr. Moulton believes, preventing Mrs. Woodhnll’s attack on the family being made at that time. Dec. 30,1871. Mrs. Woodhnll sent « letter to Beecher desiring that he would sneak at a Woman's Suffrage Convention in Washlsgtonpin the following mouth. This letter'Mr. B. returned to Mr. Monlton with a reply and a note to Mr Moulton in which he save:" Ido not mean to speak on the platform of either of the two suffrage societies. What influence I exert I prefer to do on my own hook, and I do not mean to train with either party, and it will not he fair to press me in where I do not wish to go. Other letters are given bv Mr. Moulton from Mr. Beecher, in one of which, dated, March 85, 18.8, 1 ■■ - 1 ■■ 7

he uys: **l huve been doing ten men'n work this winter, partly to make up lose, find partly because I live nndcr a cloud, feeling every month that I mgr be doing my last work and anxtons to make the most of It. When Esau sold his birthright he fonnd no place for repentance, though he eonght It carefully with tears; but I have one abiding comfort. I have known yon, and found In you one who has given a new meannto friendship.'” - letter Is also given from Mr. Tilton, written In the fall of 1871. or thereabonts. on board of a passenger car on the Hudson River Railroad. Mrs. Beecher being also a passenger In the same car. Mr. Tilton savs In the letter: “Mrs. Beecher sits In the next seat. We are almost elbow to elbow In the palace car. She is white-haired and looks a dozen years older than when I last had a near view of her. My heart has been still of pity for her, notwithstanding the cruel wav in which she has treated my good name. Her face Is written over with many volumes of human suffering. 1 do not think she has boon aware of my presence, for she has been absorbed in thought. » • » Jf l am ever to he vindicated from the slander which she has circulated, or which Mr. Bowen S ret ends to have derived from her and Mrs. iorse, whv would it not be well to get from her and Mrs. Morse a statement, tinder oath, by such a process as last evening—documents made easy and harmless—of the exact narrations which they made to him and to others? It would be well to have them sav what they said before he gets a chance to say what they said to him. • * ♦ My sullen neighbor keeps the dark and lurid past ‘vividly before my mind. If she actually knew the conduct which her priestly husband has been guilty of. I believe she would shed his blood; or, perhaps, sparing him she wonld wreak her wrath on his victim." After the publication of the tripartite covenant was made "Tilton deemed, from the comments from the press, that the statement reflected upon him, and he desired that in some way Beecher should relieve him from the imputation of having circulated slanderous stories about him without justification, lor which he had apologized, and. by advice of friends he prepared a card for Mr. Moulton to submit to Mr. Beecher Tor him ("Mr. 8.l to sign and publish in his vindication. Mr. Beecher felt much aggrieved at this claim on him by Tilton, feeling that the matter had been all settled and adjusted, and he answered Tilton s application in this regard by letter, under date of June 1.1873. published in full in Mr. Beecher's statement, and beginning “M.v Bear Prank: The whole earth is tranquil, and the heaven is serene." Meanwhile charges were preferred against Tilton for the purpose of having him dismissed from Plymouth Church. This action, which seemed to threaten the discovery of the facts in regard to the troubles between Beecher and Tilton, annoyed people verv much, and Mr. Monlton feared that serious cfifHcultv would arise therefrom. I'non consultation with Beecher and Tilton. Mr. M. suggested a plan bv which that investigation wonld be rendered unnecessary, which was in substance that a resolntjao should be passed by the church amending itslW!, alleging that Tilton having voluntarily withdrawn from the church some four years befonaaajjgrefore. the roll should be amended by striding off his name. This course had been suggested by Mr. Tilton. In a letter to Mr. Monlton. dated Dec. 31, 1871, Mr. Beecher says to press action in the case would onjy serve to raise a priifiricss^excltement; there were already letter is written 0 had better be very short, simply announcing the withdrawal, and. perhaps, with an expression of kind wishes, etc." But wnen the meeting of the church was held for that purpose, it was charged there that Tilton had slandered the pastor. Tilton took the stand, and said, in substance, that if he had uttered any slanders against Beecher he was ready to answer them, as God was his witness. Beecher thereupon stated that he had no charges to make, and the matter war- dropped. Bnt when the resolution was passed, instead of being put so as to exonerate Tilton, it was declared, in substance, that, whereas, certain charges had been made against him. and as he pleaded to those charges “ nonmembership." his name be dropped from the roll. This action of the church very much exasperated Tilton, who thought Beecher should have prevented such a result, and that he might have done so if he had stood by him fully and fairly as agreed. In that, however, Moulton believes Tilton was mistaken, because Mr. William F. West, who preferred the charges against Tilton, did it against the wish of Beecher and without any consultation with him. Meanwhile, through the intervenlisn of Dr. Stores and others. an Ecclesiastical Council had been called. The efforts of this Council in attempting to disfcllowship Plymouth Church were very displeasing to Beecher. and_caim-d him much trouble, es-, peciallv the action of Dr, Stores, which he ex-4 pressed to Mr. Moulton in a letter, dated March 25,1874. in which be says: " I am indignant beyond expression. Storm" course has been on unspeakable outrage. After his pretended friendship for Theodore he has turned against him in the most venomous manner, and it is not sincere. His professions of faith and affection for me are hollow and faithless. They ure merelv tactical. llis object is plain. lie is determined to force a counter, and aec oho of us to destroy the other, if possible- That is his game. By stinging Theodore he believes he w ill be driven into a course which he hopes will ruin me. If ever a man hetrayed another, he has. lam in hopes that Theodore, who has borne so much, will be unwilling to be a flail.in Stores’ hand to strike at a friend. There are one or two reasons, emphatic, for waiting until the end of the Council before takinganv action. First, that the attack on Plymouth Church and the threats against Congregationalism were so violent that the public mind is to be absorbed in the ecclesiastical elements and not in the personal. Second, if Plymouth Church is dlsfellowshiped, it will constitute a blow at the church and me far severer than at him. Third, that if the Council does not disfellowship Plymouth Church, then undoubtedly Storrs will go off into Presbyterianism, as lie. almost without disguise, threatened in his speech, and in that case the emphasis w ill be there. Fourth, at any rate, while the fury rages in the Council, St is not w ise to make any move that would be one among so mauv as to lose effect in a degree. After the battle is over one can more exactly see what ought to no done. Meantime I am as patient as I know bow to be. but pretty nearly used up with inward excitement, and must run away for a day or two and hide and sleep, or there w ill be a funeral." - While these proceedings were pending, the Rev. Mr. Ualiiaay, the assistant of lteeeher. called upon him and upon Mr. Moulton to endeavor to learn the facts about the difficulties between Beecher and Tilton, and Mr. M. told him he did not think that either lie or the church w ere justified in endeavoring to reopen a troublewhich had been adjusted and settled by the parties to it. and that it was better." j'ur everybody, that the whole matter should be allowed to repost- in quiet. Mr. M. here furnishes a letter from Mr. B. iu which he save: —Halliday called last night. Tilton's interview with him did not satisfy, but disturbed; but it was the same with Bell, who was present. It tended directly to unsettling. Your interview last night was verv beneficial, and gave confidence. This must be looked after. Ft is vsiti to build if the foundation sinks under every 8-Tort." ' Mr. Monlton here says the anxiety which Mr. Be >cher felt about the stories afloat, and the steps he took to quiet them, together w ith the trust he reposed iu him i.M.) and his ability to aid him in that behalf, may he seen bv "the following letter of June 25, 1873: “I have seen Howard ugai.n. He says that it was not from Theodore that Wilkeson got. the statement but from Carpenter. Is he reporting that view ? I have told Clafiin * that ''you w ould come with Carpenter i 3 be could be found, and al any rate by nine to-night, to see Storrs. but I did not sav anything about Storrs. I sent Cleveland with mv. horse and Ipiggy over to huiitCarpenter. Will you put Carpenter on his guard about making snen statements? For these bear the force of Coming from headquarters." Meanwhile (Mr. Moulton continues) Mr. Halliday had had an interview with Tilton, the result of which, as unsettling the matter between Tilton and Reccher. was very anxiously aw aited by Mr. Beecher, who was quite anxious that Tilton should take no steps by which the matter hematic .in any manner a matter of controversy. With this view’he staled the situation, on tliesamc night ofthe interview of Uaiiidav and Tilton. In a letter which is without date, and was written in pencil iu great haste, in which „he says: “1. The Eagle ought to have nothing to-night. It is that meddling which stirs up our folks. Neither vou nor Theodore ought to be troubled by the side which von served so faithfully in public. 2. The Deacons' meeting. 1 think, is adjourned. I saw Bell. It was a friendly movement. 3. The only near next danger is the women Morrill, Bradshaw and the poor dear child. If the papers will hold off a month we can ride out the gale and make safe anchorage, and then when once we are in'deep and tranquil waters we will all join hands iu a profound and genuine loan I)co; for through such a wilderness only a Divine Providence could have led us undevoured bv the open-mouthed beasts that layln wait Tor our lives. I go on the twelve o'clock train, after a sleepless night. lam anxious about Theodore's interview with IlaliidavJAfter saying that the committee had all the letters aud documents bearing upon the subject matter of the inquiry. Mr. Moulton said he desired to speak of a Single collateral matter Beecher never intimated to him that he thought there was any desire on Tilton's part to blackmail him, and he knew there was no attempt on Tilton's part to get any more than what he believed his last dac from Bowen. The qnestion whether Wilkeson knew or belbwed that asv offense had been committed will dfyenfl' upon the fact whether he knew of anything that had been done by Beecher or Tilton's wife which milled for apology at the time he wrote the tripartite covetiant. The tripartite covenant was made solely in reference to disclaimers which Beecher had made to Tilton and Tilton had made to Bowen: and Tilton’s letter *ej* forth, that the only disclosure he made to Bowen of Beecher s acts toward himself were of improper Ad vance* made to bia wife, and that he so limited his cogfge in order to save tbehpnor of his wifi?. Mr. Tilton had to hi* personal knowledge never made a demand on Beecher for money or pecuniary aid in anv way or form. He only asked that Beecher should interpose hi^inflacut e and power to protect him from the slanders of those who S claimed to be Beecher's friends; while Beecher f, with the generosity and kindness toward which had always characterized bis acts the whole of the unhappy con trovers v. of i motion, insisted through Moulton in aidkm in establishing his enterprise of the which purpose be gave him the fft,ooo, which he was to expend in auch

manner as he deemed best to Kelp the enterprise along; and if Tilton was at any time ft need, personally to aid him. It was understood between Monlton and Beecher that this money was to go to Tilton as if It came from Monltou's own voluntary contributions for his benefit, aud I hat he should not* know that the money came from Beecher, or think that he >vas in any way* Indebted to him for it. Mr. Moulton also presented in this connection a statement of account, showing that between May 2,1873, and May 1874, he had received of Mr. Beecher $5,000 and paid to Mr. Tilton at various times sums amounting in the aggregate to $4,550 Mr. Tilton had more than once said to him he conld and would receive nothing from Beecher in the wav of pecuniary assistance. Beecher had told Moulton that be was willing to furnish money to pav the expenses of Tilton and his family abroad, in order Tilton might by saved from the constant state of irritation whici} arose from the rumors he was daily hearing. Moulton rather hinted at than informed Tilton of this fact, and he repelled even the intimation of such a thing with the utmost indignation and anger. Therefore he iMoulton) only undertook the disbursement of this sum at the most earnest and voluntary request of Beecher. The first intimation ofthe insanity of Tilton arose in this w ise:' Trior to Sunday, March 29, 1874, a publication was made of a statement by a reporter of the Brooklyn Union . purporting to be the result of an interview with Thomas G. Shearman, clerk of Plymouth Church, to the effect that Tilton was insane, and that he stated that Mrs. Tilton had mediumistic fits, w hatever disease that may be, in which she had stated matters affecting the character of Beecher; and to the statement of neither of them for that reason was any credit to be given. This publication, as it tended not only to excite Tilton to a defense of his sanit v. but as also coming from the clerk of Plymouth Church, might be supposed to be an authoritative expression of his pastor. It annoved Beecher very much and he wrote a letter to Moulton giving expression to his feelings as follows: * * * “Is there to be no end of trouble? Is wave to follow wave in endless succession? Iw as cut to the heart when C. showed me that shameful paragraph from the Union. Its cruelty is beyond description. I felt like lying down aud saying, ‘I am tired, tired, tired of living or .of * trying to resist the devil of mischief.' I would rather have had a javelin launched against me a hundred times than against those that have suffered so much. The shameful indelicacy of bringing the most sacred relations into such publicity fills me with horror. But there are some slight alleviations. The paragraph came when the public mind was engaged with the Council aud with Theodore’s letters. I hone it will pass without further notice.*’ Tilton demanded a letter of retraction, and, as it was not forthcoming. Moulton visited Shearman, and, receiving no satisfaction, subsequently called with Tilton, and shortly after obtained a statement that "he was satisfied what he had previously said in the published interview was erroneous. Meanwhile, it had come to be spread about that Beecher had made a similar accusation as to the sanity of Mr. and Mrs. Tilton to that of Shcarman. to which report Mr. Beecher gave an emphatic denial, in a note to Mr. Cleveland, of the present Investigation Committee. He said: “I have been as dumb as the dead. They that dare to say I have spoken of it are liars, if they speak for themselves, and the bearers of lies if they, received it from others.” Mr. Moulton continues: ‘"Having retained the friendship of the principal parties to this controer to produce herewith any letters that I have received from either of them, exctipl-the single. ouo exonerating me from blame, aud showing Mrs. Tilton’s confidence in me, which I thought was due to myself to do. because of the peculiar statement attributed to her. Nor have I produced any papers or proposals for a settlement of this controversy since it has broken out afresh, and since the publication of Mr. Tilton’s lettter to I)r. Bacon and the call of Beecher for a committee. Nor have 1, since then, furnished to either party, although called upon by both, any documents iu mv possession. that one might use the same against the other I have endeavored to hold myself strictly as a mediator between them, and my endeavor has ever been, down to the latest, boiir. to have all the scandal arising out of the publication of the facts of their controversies and wrongs buried out of sight, deeming it best that it should be so done, not only for the good of the parties concerned and tlieir families, but that of the community at large.” The, cone hiding paragraph is as folio ws.^ “If there is any paper or fact supposed by; either of the parties or by the committee to be in my possession, which will throw any further light upon the subject of your inquiry, I shall be most w illing to produce it’, if I have it. although Ido not believe there is any such; and I ain ready tZFSffffW er nny' proper quesTlon which shall rbe put to me in the way of cross-examination bv any of the parties concerned, or their counsel, as fully us my memory, or any data I have, will serve, so that all the facts may be know n. For if any part of them be known, I deem it but just to truth and right that all should be lvtiown. As, however, controversy has already arisen as to the correctness of the reports of evidence taken before the committee. I must ask leave, if any cross-examina-tion is to be had, to ire accompanied by mv own stenographer* Who shall take down tlveevidence I may give, as a necessary measure for my ow n protection. Leaving to your committee, without comment, the facts and documents herewith presented. 1 have the honor to remain, vonrs trnly, “Fkancih 1). Moulton.”