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ANSWER
or
THE REV. HENRY ESSON,
TO TBV
CHARGES AND STATEMENTS
t or A
€ommitUe of t^ if^0fHm
or
ST. GABRIEL STREET CHURCH, MONTREAL;
WITH
AN APPENDIX,
coMTAiiriNa
CORRESPONDENCE, EVIDENCE I
VINDICATION, &c.
HIS
MONTREAL:
PRIN^i'ED BY THOMAS A. STARKE.
■m
1832.
'*i
:t,safe: ''^:'T.L
jllMfeifaM^,;
My Rev. BftETunEV,
I feel myself happy, that I have found at last the
opportunity, which I have so long sought in vain, of obtaining a
fair investigation and an impartial decision of the charges brought
against me, and of all the disputes and differences which, for mMiy
years past, have unhappily distracted our church ; and which, but
tor the timely establishment of Ecclesiastical Judicatories, must
have inevitably terminated in the ruin of our congregation, or at
the least in division and schism. It was my earnest desire, even
at the commencement of these unhappy disturbances, which have
so long afflicted our church, to have submitted them to the inves-
tigation of our Clerical Brethren. This desire I expressed at a
public meetmg of the proprietors of pews in church, on the 15th of
tebruary, 1830. On that occasion, and before I heard a svllable
of the proposal of a reference to Dr. Lee's committee, I read a
letter from Dr. Harhness, of which a copy is subjoined, and moved
that we should adopt the course therein pointed out. To this my
adversaries declined giving their assent. Subsequently to this,
and after the prop sal of a reference to Dr. Lee had been made, I
discovered in the course of my correspondence with them, as well
as from the reported language of their partizans, symptoms of their
determination to persist in that revolutionary and disorganizinir
system which they had bepn ; and that the real purpose of this
pretended reference on their part, as it appeared to mo even then
was only to serve as a cover or cloak to the conspiracy, which they
had fonned, for effecting my deposition or extrusion from the church
In this opinion I was confirmed, by their refusing to furnish me
with a copy of their memorial to Dr. Lee. That my suspicions
were well founded, the subsequent developement of their plot hius
I think, placed beyond the possibility of a doubt.. Impressed witli
this belief, I addressed* a circular letter to the ministers of our
church in both provinces, which will be found prophetic in its
anticipations of what was to foUow. If the revolutionary designs
of my antagonists are now in any measure abandoned, we owe it
I am persuaded, to the recent, and to me most welcome establish-
ment of Ecclesiastical Courts. It is superfluous for mo to ex-
patiate on the deep importance of the question now submitted to
your decision. Viewed simply in one of the least important of its
bearmgs, as it involves the character of a brother clergyman, it
■Sea Aj«iieadix.
J
v/ili receive, I am persuaded, as it merits, your most patient,
conscientums, and impartial consideration. In this view, I feel
happy that the dispute is now submitted to the arbitration ot
Brethren, in whom I feel a most perfect confidence, and of whom,
I will say, in the sincerity of my heart, that I doubt not, impartial
justice will be the sole rule and guide of their judgment ; and im-
partial truth the sole end and aim of their investigation, in this
interesting and momentous question. But this is not the view in
which I am most desirous, or indeed feel it necessary, to present it
to your consideration. There is, it appears to me, another view,
which, if I mistake not, is of still greater importjmce. The decision
of this question will prove, whether proceedings the most disorderly,
in violation of the fundamental laws of our church, and subversive
indeed of all government whatever; and acts of outrage and in-
decency are to be perpetrated, within our establishment and by
persons professing obedience to its laws, with imiJunity ; and our
venerable church, with her goodly institutions, thereby brouglit
into contempt and abasement. You have not only to investigate
the right and wrong in the present question; but, what is even
ttiore, to assert with unflinching vigour and determination, the
authority of our church, and to enforce obedience to her laws ; and
this duty, at all times so important, is doubly so at the present early
stage of our Ecclesiastical Institutions, in order to prove that none
who, in the spirit of faction or of selfish ambition and sordid
avarice, dare to violate and infringe her laws, and still more to bid
defiance to her authority, shaU escape due censure and punishment.
In the case now submitted, the constitution and law of our church
will aflFord, so far as it is practicable to apply them, the only proper
and safe course to a righteous decision; and how important it is,
especially under existing circumstances, to make us feel that, next
to the authority of scripture itself, we are amenable to this law, it
is scarce necessary for me to remark. But 1 trust I shall meet
with due indulgence, if I beg leave respectfiilly to suggest that
those universal forms and maxims, which the experience ot mankind
in the lapse of ages has proved indispensibly requisite, to gu.de the
iudgment, the learning, the talents, and the genius of even the
wisest and the best of men, can never be departed from, without
the most imminent hazard of committing serious errors, and ot being
betrayed into perplexity, if not injustice. Need I say that these
principles are to be found embodied in our civil and ecclesiastical
law? By these principles you will, I doubt not, be gmded m the
present case; and, in the course and order of your proceedingP,
will adhere to the forms of our church courts, so far as inay be
practicable; and, having been invested by the synod, in this in-
stance, with the powers and functions of a Presbytery, you will, 1
humbly conceive, fulfil the intentions of that venerable body, by
acting in conformity with the salutary rules by which a Presbytery
would and must have eroverned themselves in the present case.
By acting in this capacity, you will tultil youi- duty, in a maimer
%Hte.i., , ,;
patient,
ir, I feel
ation of
)f whom,
impartial
and iin-
, in this
i view in
►restent it
ler view,
; decision
sorderly,
ibversive
; and in-
; and by
; and our
brought
ivestigate
t is even
tion, the
aws; and
sent early
that none
id sordid
jre to bid
nishment.
ur church
dy proper
tant it is,
;hat, next
lis law, it
hall meet
fgest that
F mankind
guide the
' even the
1, without
d of being
that these
Aesiastical
led in the
oceedingp,
as may De
in this in-
'ou will, I
body, by
•rcsbytery
isont case.
. a mouuer
which, whatever may be the result, will preclude all reasonable
ground of complaint on either side, and ensure to you the full and
unanimous approval, not only of the Judicatory, whose powers
have been delegated to you, but of all impartial men. To be tried
by the laws of God and his country, is the inestimable privilege of
the accused, secured to him as his birthright by the law and con-
stitution of the land. To be tried by the laws of my churi;h, and
to be guarded by its salutary forms and provisions against designing
adversaries, or plausible impeachments, is my sole desire at this
moment; and if the solicitude, which I express, shall appear
needless, you will at least excuse, if not sympathise, with the
anxiety which prompts me rather to say what is unnecessary, than to
run the hazard of omitting aught that is necessary. By tiie law of
our church you will proceed, I doubt not, in judging of the character,
value, and applicability of the evidence, of the relevancy of the
charges alleged by my accusers, and of the legality and fairness
both of their and of my proceedings. If, in the case now submitted
to your arbitration, it shall appear, as I suspect it will, that we have
acted, as if we thought ourselves released from all obligations of
obedience to Ecclesiastical authority, and, in many instances, as if
we had forgot that we have a Law Ecclesiastical, or, having such a
law, that we are amenable to it; and If it shall appear that we have
manifested a spirit not only of insubordination to authority, but of
contempt for order, which we have scarcely thought it needtiil to
dissemble ; if we have sought to accomplish ends, that to us were
desirable, or at least seemed so by trampling on all the salutary re-
straints of church discipline and government ; and if, in fine, the
real root of our whole malady shall appear to be this neglect and
impatience of all such restraints, you will doubtless feel it a duty
imperative upon you to repress and subdue such a spirit, to enforce
due honour and respect to the law of our church, as well as strict
obedience to her constituted authorities ; and while you lend your
impartial aid to detect and to punish delinquincies, if such there be,
and to redress the real grievances represented to you, jrou will feel
it no less incumbent, on the other hand, to check an evil of at least
equal magnitude, and of a tendency not less dangerous to the best in-
terests, of our churjji genersiUy, and of our particular congregations
individually, namely, departure from established order and resistance
to legitimate authority. If you suffer it to be imagined that there
is impunity for such spirits— for such conduct — still more if you
connive at its mischief, and permit it to have free scope and to gain
directly or indirectly its ends, you will open the door to a deluge of
evils; and I am warranted to say that your duty is not more im-
perative to guard against immorality, and severely and impartially
to punish guilt, than to restrain and rebuke the refractory and re-
bellious. Where confusion is, tlu^re will be envying, and strife,
and every evil work ; and the weakness of a governhient, or its
want of vigour, will breed confusion, as surely as the total want or
absence of it creates anarchy. In some respects the man who dis-
'%.
4
regard? and disturbs the established law or the constituted order of
a society, civil or religious, incurs great and complicated guilt, even
in a moral point of view. He, who embroils the church, and scruples
not to ingender bitterness, anci strife, and schism— is his otfence to
be viewed as light and venial ? Let our Ecclesiastical Judicatories
therefore be firm and decided in the performance of their duties,
sbact in their adherence to the law, and inflexible in the application
of the discipline of our church; and especially let them remember
that, in the first exercise of their power, however mild and lenient
that exercise may be in its measure, it ought to be enforced in its
execution with a steadfast and unflinching determination. If this
is the spirit and conduct of the Church Judicatories, recently
established, hM)py will it be for us all ; and great as may be the
partial mischief involved in the case, now submitted to arbitration,
It will be subservient to general good, if it afford happily the early
example of a vigorous and determined firmness, (akould that be
necessary,) in the exercise of government and enforcement of
discipline.
With a view to facifitate the labours of our Arbitrators, I
subjoin a few references to the laws of our church, in the various
applications of them, which this case appears to involve.* With
11 these preliminary remarks, I proceed to take up the subject of this
Pr - arbitration ; and with a view at once to order, brevity, and perspi-
cuity, I shall divide it into the following parts :— First, I shaU con-
sider the charges against my moral character. - Secondly, I shall
Sive a narrative of the proceedings, with such comments as I shall
eem needful. Thirdly, I shall furnish an appendix, containing
mv remarks and strictures on the various documents of my accusers,
which I may deem wortliy of notice, and suclh other points as are
too minute to be incorporated with my general narrative. Fourthly,
I shall collect from a review of the whole, the various grounds of
complaint which I may have to submit against my accusers. This
four-fold division will, I expect, exhaust all that can be necessary
for me to adduce by way of explication, evidence, or comment.
The papers now transmitted contain only the first two heads of
division aforesaid. I must crave an extension of indulgence from
our arbitrators a little longer, to enable me to finish the two re-
remaining subdivisions. Of the extent of the work, and the h hour
which it has or will yet cost me, the arbitrators will be able to
judge from the number and variety of the documents submitted by
my accusers; on many of which severally it is necessary for me to
comment, with a view to deduce fro^ them proofs or illustrations
of mjr general statements and remarks, contained in the papers now
submitted by me, or the grounds of those charges which I purpose,
in the last place, to submit against my accusers. I have, I conceive,
just cause to complain, as well as tlie arbitrators, that those papers
which I craved, were not furnished to me at a much earlier period
* See Appendix, No.
t3^-^
by my accusers ; they were not so numerous but that they miglit
have been produced within a very short time after my return froui
Kingston, m which case, I should have hjul jdl my papers long ago
completed, and i)Iaced ere now in the hands of our arbitrators.
Bef<»re I enter into the details, I shall offer a few general preli-
minary remarks on the whole of the evidence against me. And,
first : — it is abundantly clear that it has been produced in a form, art-
fully contrived, to give it the semblance of a chain or concatenation
of testimonies, each supporting the other, and all concurring, with
the plainest marks, however, of fabrication and collusion, pointedly
to the end of giving credit, consistency, and confirmation to the
whole. It seems intended, and so indeed it was expressly repre-
sented by Mr. Black, in a paper styled " his defence," which he read
at a public meeting in church, on the 15th of February, 1830, a6 a
"chain or system (so he styled it) of strong and conclusive evidence."
Now, though this may answer very well, when there are truth and
honesty in the witnesses and examiners, it is a most perilous attempt
where the whole is based on falsehood. In the present instance, it
is impossible to overlook or to mistake the gross and palpable marks
of contrivance, collusion, and fabrication, which, however they may
be calculated to Answer their design of imposing on popular igno-
rance and credulity, will present the most certain means of detection
to the view of the intelligent and discerning. The evidence which
was least trust-worthy, least probable and consistent, has been pre-
sented (I doubt not designedly) without any precise dates being
specified: this secures it at least against the possibility of any direct
or specific counter- evidence ; and this is some advantage, as it leaves
room for the suspicion that there may be somewhat of truth in the
accusations, however improbable in their nature, since they cannot
be met severally with a direct and particular confutation, not being
immediately tangible by me,~a proof, I may remaik in passing,
how wise, nay necessary, is that salutary provision of our ecclesi-
astical law,_that no accusations shall be held relevant which do
not specify the time, as well as the place, of the commission of the
alleged oftences. It is curious to remark, that while precise dates
are given to the testimonies of Bruce and Whitlaw, whose charac-
ters no doubt seemed such as to entitle their evidence, in the first
instance, to fiill credit, the evidence of Mr. Cheney and Mr. Rae is
v^e and without any precise dates, and such ' . ujse Mr. Black's
phrase) as not to be tangible by me.
Still more is this the case with the evidence of the women, which
takes a very wide range indetd ; and unless I could prove where I
had been every hour of every day and night, from the end of June
to the end of November, 1829, (the date of said declaiations) I can-
not directly confute their evidence, for this plain reason, that so
far I cannot touch or take it into my grasp.; and yet this was what
my accusers seemed to require, in order to have the impressions
removed from their minds ; in other wtuds thoy required an im-
possibility. I have no doubt that the charges of drunkenness were
6
broiurht forward, on tlie same grounds, and with the same spirit
andPintent, as the declaration (U Margaret M'Intyre, naindy to
irive a colour of probability to and to aflFord presumptive corrobo-
ration of their main charges, (fornication,—" the head and front ot
mv offending,") and with a view to connect and concatenate the
the whole into one chain of irrefragable demonstration. Conscious
that the rest of their witnesses were unworthy of credit, and that
their evidence could not stand uiipropped by something more solid
and reputable, they bring forward two witnesses of fairer reputation,
both actuated however by violent party spirit, and one of them at
least by malice, to give auxiliary evidence of such a luUure and dtite
as to fall in with and corroborate their most weighty charges. 1
sav without fear of contradiction, that my accusers, Messrs. Black
and Armour, (but I will except none of them,) aU of them, I say,
knew right well my habitual and perfect sobriety, and none of them
therefore could deem that the accusation of Mr. Bruce was, m the
smallest degree, probable. I do not wonder that my accusers, there-
fore, with this consciousness, in tlm very first instamcy coincided m
refusing to allow me to touch, or even to see, their accusations ; tor
had they dene so, they must have been aware, that even their inge-
unity and industry in procuring and framing such materials, could
not have availed to produce and support the weighty superstructure,
which they purposed to reai- : nay, so sensible were they that it would
not do to break such important links of their chain, that after I had
produced the most decisive confutation of these their only cliarges
which had dates specified, or which rested on any thing of respect-
able authority, they have still retained them, without the least
qualification, or the least hint that they felt any suspicion of their
untruth, (of their unsoundness ;) and to prevent the dire necessity
of such a mutilation of their goodly fabric, they resolved to hear me
no more,— no more to expose their fortress to my rude assaults.—
What could mark more strongly the nature of the spirit by which
thev were actuated, or betray their concerted and infamous design
to compass my overthrow with little scruple a« to the means ot
attaining " a consummation so devoutly to be wished i*
In the second place, I remark generally, that the whole of this
evidence, were it more probable, consistent, and respectable m itselt,
would be, in a manner, utteriy discredited and vitiated by the liber-
ties, which have been taken with it, on the part of those who examined
the witnesses, and recorded their testimonies. Never w^ the import
of the weU known maxim applied to evidence-" to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and (may I add) to
tell it in the ipsissima verba of the witness, without suggestion or
dictation,-never was this maxim so strikingly Ulustrated and con-
firmed in tlie transgression, as in the present case. The evidence*
of Mr. Whitlaw affords, par excellence, a specimen of that sort ot
misrepresentation which, in my view, is the most wicked, as it cer-
* See printed Minutes, No. 14.
.-^.-.S*-
..Jimp: i,ijiiBrtir-»i.iii -.ff^iiWri
ine spirit
lanuly to
corrobo-
I front of
mate the
Conscious
and that
lore solid
tputatiou,
' them at
! and diite
arges. I
irs. Black
!m, I say,
e of them
'as, in the
srs, there-
incided in
tions ; for
heir inge-
ials, «;ould
•structure,
it it would
ifter I had
ly charges
if respect-
the least
n of their
! necessity
;o hear me
assaults. —
by which
)U8 design
! means of
ole of this
le in itself,
r the liber-
> examined
the import
the truth,
^ I add) to
;gestion or
II and con-
I evidence*
hat sort of
1, as it cer-
tainly is the most dangerous and insidious species of falsehood, and
;3ully false witness, namely, stating such and so much of the
TZ\i literal as may serve the purpose of the acc"«er and no to^e
i™a more. As an illustration of this, observe how u. Mr. Wh.tlaws
evidence I am actually represented as having been ate ami unsea-
Sle in my attendai.ce, when I was exactly punc ual to my ap-
Hnt'nt, aL am charged with having ^^^^Y* J J^» *^« 7^?CS
if intoxication, so that a person not particidarly charitable, K J h»*.li
sort -e have, I fear, on the present occasion, a goodly number,)
rn^ht be Td to infer' that I w'as in the last stage of df««ken"essj
when upon Mr. Whitlaw's own showmg, it is admitted that I was
^erf^t^collected, did my duty with accuracy -^ d«co™m ^n
?ersed slnsibly, &c. This difference m the '^F^ ^^j\^ ^^nZ,
offence is so material, as every one must perceive, that it amounts
Ta total difference in kind, and alters *»»« -'^'^^^ ^fwTa Its
evidence. This mode of combining a particle of truth with a ma*s
of mischievous and calumnious falsehoods,-oat of « t^^re^id erf t^^^
spinning « a web of lies," until a statement, which, rf truly and
Sy g?ven. would be perfectly innoxious, swells into an aggravated
offence of indefinite m^itude, is, in my judgment, f «™7 »" '«
verv worst form ; wherTtruth and falsehoood are so interwoven that
rLTInTot be"discriminated or di8entangled,_so ^Y^f^J^^^
obliterate fully the impression of the latter from the mind. Mr. How-
denSdence affords a notable instance of such a partial ?ta^ment of
tts as to give a tolerably plausible appearance f ve-™^^^«^«
an accusation grounded upon it, just as m the case of Wh»tlaw s
evidence • whereas, were afi the particulars of the statement (studi-
ru^;"omitS Tymy accusers) bUght forward they -uld g^^^^^^
totafly different meining and aspect to the whole, precluding ^1
possibility of doubt that this, like the former is a wilful, gratuitous,
and elaborately artful mistatement of the evidence.*
There are unequivocal marks, throughout the whole libel, that the .
very expressions' and terms of language were dictated to the wit-
nesses. The ignorance of the examiners too seems to betray cmbii.
TnaUy tLir ^nt of correct principle in thi« -spect. The tenns
" Cohabit" and " Cohabitation" are put mto the mouths of all the
wUnesses, in the first part of the charges, with the exception of lUie,
Tnd ie ^mprcperly uW to denote the act of foniic«tion or carm^^
commerce, whereas their true and proper meaning is-to 1 ve and
3 together as man and wife. It is from this tanipenng with
STe witnesses, and moulding, and, as I may say, ^-f-turin^^^^^^
language and statements of the witnesses to serve their Purposes,
oT?r|ive it the appearance of consistency and strength, tha , to
every SLcerning eye" they bptray its falsehood, in its manifold ab-
3ies and contradictions. The gross and palpable contradiction
inX evidence of Rosalie Boilieu, which no man of common sense
(U might be supposed) could have overlooked, and certainly no
• See printed Minutes, No. 68.
. -8
man x>f common honesty would have admitted, is but a natural con-
sequence of the same unscrupulous procedure on thrDwi ofX
exammers, and corroborates the testimony of Mr hI^SZJ* a
others that she was frightened into Te g^ivTng uiis evWe^^ Zl
also, It would seem, at the same time, ?ut of her se^es Wrti
detecUng and exposing^^^e W-Z^irtf^^^^
not help noticm^ a singular instance of ridiculous nonie Zl"
oJT«'S/i." VH- k«^*»" of my accusers, in thoir minute Xs'^on
ot the 29th of I^'ebmary, 1830: thev sav and f«-. «„„„ ^u '"^*'''"?
the truth, I fea.. howe Jr' involJntly That'ltcr^^^^^^^^
poned so long m the Rev. Mr. Esson persists " in aStr„Vat S
solemn o.dinan.;e M ike said farna L«^^ 4^ "?/ S
WHO typographical error,-„o slip of the pen : itTs r^emUne \2.
rhe::XiS.f ' •" ^'^^'^ *-^^ ^— ^- avfng^eS
Bni amonff the mant/ veracious chr ract^ristics, it is to be notP.1
that with a view to give an appearance of unwonted strenrhtv
truth of their own asseverations, seemed a needful sucSdanerm to
inlnlSTTu^""^ ""^ •'^r^*^'- ^d «redibUity, or wa^ needed t
uphold the rather exiraoidinary and dubious matter of ThSr attest
ations, there is a most pains-tafciug and praise-worth; «raS
or inventory of the various items on which their assurIZ of tE
tol of "iTe dlr^™- '.^^^^^^ ^^'^^^^^" to say,?nX memoes
Si Au ^'^W'^m^^^^^^ premier of military renown, " It is no
mistdce, and it shall be no mistake." Mr. Cheney t is Tade to sta"^
that he recognized me, and could vouch for my identtv on die
tone, ancTmy general appearance. W^th this prep^atorv and mlnut^
inspection, who will wonder that the young ^ WiIUinTecof
m.edme m the darkened room? siice it is a Til k.Xn law Sf
optics, that the impressions of luminous objects on the re7na Ton
Jr/nn- "^^^T «ft^t»'« objects cea«e to reflect to he "ye th^
7thffiLust.^7"th"^'^"* '^T' "''«^'' *'« -me little deSnJy
or the luminous fluid, this was amply mmpensated bv the miiltiti.Z
and variety of my personal dia^na^tics^boyelventS a^^
should any one less scienti^c perhap., or more scopS than our
committee of session, still obstinately persist in tbinS. r R . T
ke, that it may be doubted, we havVgXa s 1 Jo t tf; veTlty S
the witness, and the scrupulous accmacy of his exLSs h t^l. !
savm^ clause,-" So far 5s it could be^ done " whTc sbL. t
conscientious they were, in neither uudeSinJ n^ t^^^
tZ'tr- .^r^f '^Pi^yi^ it tbutsuch mfnutep^ ticdSf
m the statement of evidence sf.o.dd 8oa.<,times, as in\he poso.it
• See Appendix, No. __ f S,,c Note «.
f srecprmtca Tdiftutcs, Nos. li, i;^.
\
*)iMrH.-- " Jt.iM maE m B Sif''. .
fttural con-,
►art of the
ilton* and
leiice, and
es, by the
2nd happy
imentai in
lis, I can-
sense and
of session
hey speak
It is jost-
ng at that
'!.' This
uine lull)
ud herself
be notet^
•ength t4>
ce in the
aneum tp '
leeded to
ir attest;
ineration
) of their
sraorable
' It is no
! to state
'i on the
in a low
i minute
n recog-
n law of
ina con-
oye the
^ficioncy
altitude
id ; and
ban our
)tclimaii
acity of
in tliat
kvs bow
I'statiiig
uularity
present
instance, perversely recoU against the very cause, it is intended to
gupport ; just as a treacherous aUy sometimes basely deserts to the
side of the enemy. It is curious, and, on aay occasion less grave,
would be amusing, to compare with this feature of Cheney^, e- '
d«nce, one stnkmgly similar in the testimony of Mr. Bruce.* Thig
Brother Teacher («a little more than kin and less than kind">
meets me, (so it chanced, or rather mi:;clianced,) in the broad day-
light ot a summer afternoon, and by my posture, language, visa/?,
and gener^ deportment, I appeared to him to be in a statTof intoii-
cation. I hope that, on this occasion, Mr. Bruce was not more anxi-
ous in tavouT of the truth of his own statements, than of Tr'th in
the abstract; since, as if all this were too little to confirm and build
up oiir faith m his testimony, it is added,— that « the symptoms of
intoxication were noticed by his family as quickly as by himself,
and afterwards remarked upon," (I warrant were they!) Who does
not perceive in all this the skilful hand of the same master, who
dehneated with a precision equally minute, the perceptions, impres-
sions, observations, recognitions, &c., iterated and reiterated of his
predecessors ? The similarity of expressions, and the .^cumulation
ot every ground and circumstance, that could give it strength, and
almost infaUible certamty, unfolds to us some portion of that art of
which, as we progress, we shaU have new and sucw. 'e revelat'ons
—an art m which all need to be well initiated, who seek not what is
true, but what it is to be devoutly wished may be true, which last is
the true « ven indagaiio." Here there is no scanty, partial, im-
perfect medium of indirect vision, such as a hole cut in a partition,
and some ejre (Cyclops like) implanted there ; but a fiiU, direct, and
deliberate view of my person, in all its dimensions and attributes.
Ihere is not the light of a single, candle to reconnoitre my person
wherewithal, and to .race in faint reflection the various diagnostics
thereof, b'lt the full light of heaven, and all the effulgence of the
summer sun in his more tlian meridian spelendour. It may be said
ot nay person, m classical phrase, « Clara in luce refulsit;" it did
not loom, as erewhile, in a darkened room. There is not here a
stolen, timid, or hasty glance through ..n aperture in the wall ; but
a broad, close, and continuous siu-vey of^the whole of my Rev
person,--«ocapife ad calcem," -irony top to toe,— from head to'
toot. My voice is not heard in gentle whispers or low-murmured
breathings,— the *^lenes sub nocte susmrrr of Horace; but in all
the loudness of intonation, with which the drunkard swamrors
and bawls ;— and finaUy, to mount to the top of this climax/there
was here more than a single eye, circumscribed in its sphere of
vision by the narrow dimensions aforesaid : there were all the
eves ot all the Bruces,_old and young, male and female,— Mr.
Bruce, Mrs. Bruce, Masters Bruce, and Misses Bruce ; (I beff
pardon of the arbitrators ; but I wish at once to show H. Macf-
kenzie and Co. that I can take a leaf out of their book, and might,
* See printed Minutes, No. 15.
C
.m
10
if I would, avail myself of their weapons, and even turn them
against my masters, in this mode of warfare, ["/a* est et ah koste
doceris"!) but, notwithstanding so many Bmces, this field was
not destined, as will be proved in the end, to be unto them^ " a
Sannockburn." Such is the fallibility of man, such the uncertunty
of all human certainties, that all this occular demonstration falls to
- the ground. The eye, I may be permitted to re-mark, is the organ
and servant of the mind ; and according to the inward affection or
passion predominating in the mind, so will it colour all outward
objects. As the scepticinm and incredulity of our age will not admit
of supernatural agency to account for such perplexing phenomena ;
•—as we cannot resort to the iud of witches or conjurers, to resolve
idl those errors of vision and perception, we may not be far mistaken
{>erhaps, in laying them to the charge of a more common and familiar
agent nearer home, — of a demon, — ^not the less potent or malignant
that he is, alas ! oft a natural inmate of the human bosom, — inoom,
inbred (alas I that it should be so I) in the corrupt heart of man, —
yclept malice and party spirit. To this, as its proper cause, are we
to attribute the various phases which I present, it would seem, to
various eyes ; — camelion-Iike, — green to one, blue to another, white
to a third; while to the eyes of all, who see me most nearly, pr
i^miliarly, I show myself in sober sadness, or, as it may be felt |>er-
haps, by my kind friends of the Committee of Session, in sad sobriety;
—to the eyes of Mr. Whitlaw, as he is interpreted at least, by the
stud committee, and to all the eyes of all the Bruces, (jam mirabile
dictuy) to a dead certainti/— drunk.
This leads me to the next general remark, namely, on the degree
in which party spirit has operated to give, in the first instance,
currency to the rumours, and, in the second instance, credit to the
accusations, precluding all possibility of doing away with the im-
preissions which they made, and affording a facility to my accusers
to push their revolutionary measures to an extent, which must
otherwise have been impracticable. It is of the utmost importanoe
for the arbitrators, in forming their judgment of this case, to keep
constantly in their view the prevailing influence of this party spirit.
The history of our church, if I mistake not, will prove that it has
not only been fostered, but created, by my Rev. Confrere, and
elicited by him on all occasions when he had his own purposes to
serve, — purposes uniformly of selfishness or ambition. The chief
means employed to generate and excite it, have been private meet-
ings and cabala : these meetings, I have to remark, began with Mr.
Black's arrival among us, having been happily unknown prior to
that memorable era - they have been uniformly summoned by his
ftarticular patrons, agents, or confidants, — held at the houses of his
riends, — composed exclusively of his partisans, — and they have
uniformly pursued objects, connected exclusively with his temporal
ihterest or aggrandisement, having doubtless received previously
from him the hint or the signal, as is clearly proved by his openly
avowing, or at least inadvertuutly betrayiiig, his wish to obUiin the
•^s^mSW^ss^:'.,.
11
am them
( ah hoste
field was
them ** a
icertainty
m falls to
the organ
Fection or
outward
not admit
Buomena ;
to resolve
mistaken
d familiar
nalignant
— inoom,
)f man,—
le, are we
L seem, to
ler, white
learly, or
} felt per-
iscbrietyi
it, by the
( tnirabile
le degree
instance,
lit to the
the im-
accusers
ich must
iportance
, to keep
ty spirit,
lat it has
"ere, and
rposes to
rhe chief
ite meet-
ivith Mr.
prior to
a by his
es of his
ley have
temporal
■eviously
18 openly
[fiaiii the
very objects, for which such meetings and proceedings were got im;
such a^, at the time of his ordinatron^ at the General Meeting in
1827, when it was proposed to vnt ,>n into the sole possession of
the surplus funds of the church; : thirdly, the meetings which
have been held more notoriously cf utte, under the avowed sanction
of him and his Mders, in their assumed capacity of the session of
the church. It is hardly possible to calculate the mischiefs which
have sprung from this source : as if with a view to aggi'avate to the
Uttermost the mischief of these cabals, they have been held, during
the recent excitements, at public taverns and hotels, and have been
frequented by many persons, less from any real interest in their
object than for the sake of conviviality; and in the spirit of mere
wanton frolic and mischief. Certain it is they have operated power-
fulljr to create impressions m the minds of those who are little sug-
eeptible of having their errors and prejudices rectified ; and ihelr
unhappy effects can only be removed by time patience, and for-
bearance.
The rumours and accusations propagated in this manner, and
coming in contact with such materials, in such oircumstances, have,
like snarks among dry wood, blazed at once into a conflagfttion, so
that the grossest unlikelihood and absurdity have been no cheek to
their propagation; and while, by this extensive and active ma-
chinery, Mr. Black has acqmred the facility of giving diffusion tQ
the fama, and of rivetting, at least in the minds ofhis own partisans,
the belief of his accusations, it waf impossible for me either to
stop the one or eradicate the other, because his partisans, had they
even come (which they did not, and would not,) to hear my vindica-
tion, would have brought with them a spurit, I fear, little susceptible
of receiving conviction of their errors. I am fe&rless of contradic-
tion, when I say that not half a dozen of that party have ever
sought an opportunity of being disabused; and little wonder, when
we consider what example was set them in this respect. I wonder
not, under these circumstances, that the excitement has been so
^eat; it was enough to madden the minds of the populace. The
whole History of our Church, since Mr, Black entered it, attests
the truth of this; the same cabals, the same intrigues, the same
agents, the same objects, the same machinery, appear and reappear.
You can see the troubled waters, where they rise at the voice of
the master spirit, who musters and directs the storm; and Wherever
you see the waters calm and untroubled, be sure they lie beyond
the sphere of his power, and beyond the influence of his magic wand.
To dismiss figurative language, it is susceptible of proof, that all
our excitements, past and present, will be found to originate with
Mr. Black, to spread from him, as from a centre, and to owe
exclusively to his party, their agents, and authors; hence it is, that
rumours, contemptible in themselves and altogether unworthy of
•erious regard, have become formidable, and, under existing circum-
stances, must be perpetual — interminable.
couuoxiuu with thig puriy spifit, the uf uitfators con-
VMTt ^_.
Trauu, iu
12
if
aider the character of the principal witnesses, through whose
evidence my adversaries seem to have formed their hope of com-
passing my ovci ^.irow; when, with this, they connect the spirit
of my accusers, their vehement and importunate desire to obtain
the needful evidence; the means and the manner of procuring that
evidence; the unscrupulous liberties which they have taken in
recording it, and giving it that form which >ras most suitable to
their purpose ; their refusing to allow me, iu the first instance, to
touch or even to see it ; the publishing it, at the same time, to the
whole congregation, at meetings, called for the express purpose of
hearing it read ; their refusal, all the while, to hear me m my own
vindication, or so far, as depended on them, to allow me to be heard,
even at those popular meetings, whose convocation was a measure
and a proposition of their own; and, finally, their opposing all my
attempts to obtain a reinvestigation of the whole charges, in the
presence of my brother ministers, when parties and witnesses
would be mutually confronted; these various features, which
characterise the whole of these extraordinary proceedings and con-
vulsions, by which our church has been so long agitated, will
enable the arbitrators to account for, not only the origin, but the long
contiAuanoe of these TnbunicicB Procdlcs of our stormy church.
This subject is so wide, that I can only afford time to throw out
a few general remarks. In what spirit Mr. Black proceeded to get
up these accusations; how well he was aided in this labour of love,
or as they phrase it "painful business," by his Frater Fratrissimus,
H. Mackenzie ; the importunity with which they strove to extort
the evidence which they needed or desired; and the degree in
which they made that party h^Arit, of which they were the prime
authors and fomenters, subservient to their designs, it will be for
the arbitrators to collect from the evidence and information which I
shall now submit to them. There is not, I am warranted to assert, '
one of the witnesses, who is not discredited by notorious party
spirit, by malice, or by utter depravity, nay, infamy of character ;
such were the sources from which these affidavits or declarations
were procured ; such as were the spirit and sources of these accusa-
tions, such were the means employed to obtain them — intimidation
oi corruption. Who will believe, that such witnesses as Rosalie
Boilieu, or Eliza Cunningham, came forward of their own accord ?
The solemn assevertions, which they make to purge themselvjcs from
such suspicions, could not, I am persuaded, impose on any one;
and their examiners, the Committee of Session, are therefore, in
my view, convicted, in this part of the proceedings, of a connivance
or collusion with palpable perjury. And these v/itnesses criminate at
themselves too I It is impossible to conceive that witnesses would
come forward voluntai'ily, and of their own free accord, to do so,
without some strong impulse of fear, of interest, of animosity, or of
Earty spirit. What man of sense, of honesty, or of decency, would
ave stooped to employ such means of accusation, or stained and
poUuttid bib paper wltU such wortliletiB and wretcliud stuff. No
13
cause, but a bad one, could be served by it. It cannot shelter itself
even under the Jesuitical plea of doing evil that good may come.
In fine, there is the strongest possible presumption, in this case, of
the truth of those testimonies which go to prove that these 'vit-
nesses were either bribed or otherwise unduly influenced. This
presumption is not diminished by the fact, also attested, that they
were forbid to have any communication vnth me or my friends, and
above aU, strictly enjoined not to subscribe any paper that might
be submitted to them on our part.
The evidence, thus obtained, is of such a frail nature, that it
could not endure, they were conscious, the slightest inspection.
I challenged them contemptonsly to allow me to touch it with my
little finger (minimo digitulo.) To the challenge they remained, I
grieve to say, both deaf and dumb.
Their evidence, clandestinely got, was kept in the dark and
withheld from me, until a long and formal Ecclesiastical Inquisition
(and who shall deny that this is its appropriate appellation ?) had
produced popular excitement and suspicion, and fama clamosa had
opened the minds of the congregation to a due susceptibility of the
impressions intended ; then, at last, did they, late and loth, put into
my hands their charges. One brief audience * was given to me,
and had they known beforehand the lecture I was to read them, and
the expos^ of their conduct which I then and there made, some
pretext, I doubt not, would have been devised to shut me out from
even that one brief audience \ ; but if the door had been thus in-
advertently and unluckily opened, they made all haste to repair
their error, by shutting it forthwith against me and fur ever ; and
the sentence, originally passed upon me, having been renewed and
confirmed, was next attempted, now strenuously and perseveringly,
will appear by and by, to be carried into instant execution. Their
plot was bold and original, and the means so admirably concerted
and accommodated to the end proposed, that it i;^ utterly vain and
useless tor my accusers to persist any longer in their dissimulation ;
the mask, which they wore, has dropped from their visage: the
veil, thin aud transparent as it was, they have torn from their brow
with their own hands, and they stand forth to the view of all the
world, with their motives no less than their actions exposed in all
their naked deformity.
The first declaration on which I shall comment is that of Mr.
Rae, whose evidence has been got up in such a form as to give it
an appearance of the greatest possiole strength, or, to express it
more properly, to set it ofi' to the greatest possible advantage. — In
a moon-light night, in the end of June or beginning of July, (and
in the year, let it be remembered, 1829,) this witness meets me, or
sees me approach him ; and that we may be duly prepared for the
scene which ensues, he states that he had heard it reported that I
was in the habit of going to, or frequenting, places of ill fame ; he
S«o No. 29, 30.
f S«c my StuteuiQut to Dr. Leev
^w^si^p^^'s::'
14
I
determines, therefore, to watch and reconnoitre my motions* Hav-
ing never understood that my accusers, or any one for them, had
imputed such delinquencies to me, prior to the date assigned by him
and Cheney, I should, had I been present at his examination, have
felt ranch inclined to ask him, from whom he received this informa-
tion. I believe that this testimony of Mr. Rae has no predecessor,
though it appears to have a few contemporaries eaually respectable
and veracious. Probably his examinators were of my opinion, and
therefore did not put this embarrassing question ; though they could
Aot be insensible of the advantage to their cause of mounting to a
hi^er and purer source of evidence, and of finding, had that boen
possible, some witness whose character, unlike Messrs. Rae and
Chene/s might have deserved credit with less aid from iterated and
reiterated observations and asseverations. I confess, however, that
there appears not a little ingenuity in this expedient of compensat-
ing the want of character by the self-alledged closeness and fre-
quency of observation. Mr. Rae's story is very short ; and yet,
with all its brevity, it furnishes more criteria than naight have
been expected by which to test its truth. He saw me in a moon-;
light night: this is one criterion, and a most unexceptionable one.
From whM; he hm heard of my frequenting certain places, he is in-
duced to watch me : this is going surely to work, and with all the
advaptpge too of moon-light : it is strange iadeed if he do not
identify me ; — " it is no mistake, and it shall be no mistake." In
the first insunce, and judging from a view of me as I approached
him, he recognized me by my appearance and mode of walking. I
love people who are thus particular in giving a reason for every
tbipg ; as it shews, that if they do not speak truth, they shew at
least gcod cause why tJtey should be believed. I wonder we have
not a more particular description of what is peculiar in these attri-
butes, by which he distinguished me, and especially, whether I ap-
peared drunk or sober, — a thing which we might suppose would be
abundantly ascertained by this close and watchful observer ;— but
we shall let this pMS ; and, following Mr. Rae, quit the bounds of
mere vulgar probability, to enter within the confines of the mar-
velous. I stopped, he aUedges, after having passed him, and being
fully recognized by him to be my identical self, at the door of a
house, known by Mr. Rae to be a house of ill fame, and entered—
into the house ?— no,— not into the house, but into conversation
with a girl standing at the door of said house. The circumstances of
Elace are here sufficiently specific, but the time is less definite ; it was
owever, some time before eleven o'clock ; — too early, no doubt, to
go in, but a very good season, especially in moon-light, in a public
street and frequented highway, to make an assignation in front of
a house, in or nejir which I might assure myself of meeting, if not
Messrs. Ray and Cheney, yet company equally ^ood, and associates
no less befitting such a pronieniule ; and what is no less wt nderful
than any of the other circujnstjmces of this right probable narrative,
the assignation is made, not ii» A low tone of vuico, — not hurriedly
15
ins< Hav-
them, had
ed by him
tion, have
» informa-
edecessor,
espectable
inion, and
they could
ating to a
that been
. Rae and
;rated and
irever, that
ompcnsat-
I and fre-
; and yet,
light have
n a moon-
nable one.
i, he is in-
ith all the
be do not
take." In
pproached
aiking. 1
for every
;y shew at
it we have
hese attri-
ither I ap-
would be
ver ; — but
bounds of
■ the mar-
and being
door of a
entered^
nversation
tistances of
ite; it was
) doubt, to
in a public
in front of
ing, if not
a8suciate8
wdidcrful
iiitrrative,
I :-.ll..
whispered into her ear, as I passed, — but proclaimed so loudly that
the sounds were canght by Mr. Rae, who, as he states, went round
the house, and standing at the comer of it, he heard Mr. Elsson
making, with the said girl, an appointment for eleven o'clock, when
he would return. A person or mere ordinary wit b not a little
puzzled here, to conceive how Mr. Rae, in going round the back of
the house codd see, even with all the advantages of moon-light,
what passed in front of it, or how the vocal sounds emitted from my
lips, on this memorable occasion, could have travelled to Mr. Rae's
ears, as he made the circuit of the house, without drawing around
me auditors, not to say spectators, from all the neighbourhood. If
is a little queer, that I, who speak, in so low a tone, when I ain
within the walls of such places, should announce my visits openly,
in the moon-light, at the door of a mansion of such notorious repute,
in the public street and in the immediate vicinity of Mr. Hamilton's,
the breadth of a narrow street only intervening, in a summer even-
ing, in the end of June, or beginning of July, and as I may naturally
infer, this assignation to be made an hour or so before the time
fixed for this amorous meeting; — about ten o'clock. Who can
deny that this testimony posseses strong internal evidences of
trutn? VerUiy, I do not wonder that the Committee of Session
were very anxious, in their great love, if not of truth, at least of
probability, which is near akm to truth, to get at some proof, if it
could in any wise be procured, that on or about the time of such
visits and assignations, I was not always in my sober senses,— that
I carried sometimes more wine than wit : certain it is that either 1
or Mr. Rae must have been, on this occasion, in such a state ; and
though I have heard of drunken men seeing two moons or two
candles, when there was but one substantially and veritably present,
Mr. Rae, I confess, is the first instance tliat I have been apprized
of, since the days of demonology and witchcraft, of a man seeing a
moon in the firmament which had no existence, unless perhaps ih
his own cranium. But who shall say that the phenomena of ebriety
may not vary with the different idiosyncrasies of divers persons ? 1
would not, therefore, have Mr. Rae or his examinors to be discon-
certed beyond measure, on accoimt of the introduction of this little
ficticious incident, in a narrative which otherwise possesses so many
characters of intrinsic probability ; only I humbly beg leave to
advise them, in time coming, when they venture to touch upon such
ticklish ground as dates, in testimonies of this nature, to take a little
wider range, whereby sun, moon, and stars, as may be necessary, may
severally come, each in its proper season, to the aid of their witnesses,
who, when thus watching and reconnoitering, with so much pains and
diligence, ought not to be allowed to fail for want of sufficient and sea-
sonable Ught. I am cuiious to cross-question these ingenious wit-
nesses, whether any rays of the same moon, which had vouchsafed this
supernatural visit for Mr. Rae's benefit, had penetrated into the
j__i J *- ijg ^y^^^ ]y|f^ Cheney's defective means of vision.
in the nrcsent dilemma, there should be any
\irhRt a
iiitv t.iiat..
16
il
K>:\
demonstration, more demonstrative than ocular demonstration ; or,
^hat a pity Mr. Rae had not, in his promenade, that evening, taken
with him a pocket almanack, to have prevented those eyed of his
from becoming unwarily the dupes of his livii/ and sportive imagi-
nation. This is the more to be regretted, as this untoward over-
sight tends to break a link — in seeming not a little solid — in this
chain "of stroi.g and conclusive evidence ;" nay, I am fearful, that
if it has not knocked out altogether the adjacent link, it has, to say
the least, sorely shattered it ; and it is melancholy to reflect, that
the testimonies of Mr. Rae and Mr. Cheney, so nicely fitted and
compacted together, each lending strength and support to the other,
and at the same time happily combined in harmonious union, with
that of their friends, the female witnesses, should thus cruelly be
severed from another and from the whole ; and that so fine a con-
trivance, by which any defect in the light of the farthing candle of
the latter gentleman, was luckily supplied by the fine bright moon,
which Mr. Rae had conjured up so timeously, so that with Mr. Rae
and the moon without, and Mr. Cheney and the candle within, I
should not only have been discovered and identified, but absolutely
taken captive and brought aprisoner before the Committee of Session.^
-~What a pity, I say, a train of circumstances so well contrived, and
combined tor so goodly a purpose, should all be deranged and defeated,
because that changeful and capricious divinity, the moon, would not
deign to smile upon the plot, or to be present when invoked by-
Mr. Rae, to aid him in a caui -, so worthy of celestial interposi-
tion; ("«i Detis intersit, dignus sit vindice nodus") then, indeed,
might Mr. Rae,< after reading his declaration, have persisted with
less fear of contradiction, in its containing the whole truth. We
will also read over again this testimony, that we may mark how the
light, that led him astray from truth, " was not light from Heaven."
It is, I humbly think, a circumstance rather unaccountable, that not
one of the triumvirate of the Committee of Session, in catechising
Mr. Cheney, or Mr. Rae, thought of putting to them the trying and
decisive question, what were the precise day and date of this adven-
ture, sufficiently extraordinary, one should think, to have been
marked in their calender. Was it through an inadvertency, or was
it not rather a "won mi recordo" on the part of those, who knew
well, all of them, that a similar occurrence to that, which forms the
subject of Mr. Cheney's testimony, had taken place on a former
occasion, so like it in every particmar feature, that the coincidence
is more than striking, ana can scarcely fail to suggest a suspicion,
that both could not be accidental, but that the one had been the model,
upon which the other had been artfully and industriously fashioned;
how strange, nay, how mysterious is it, that, with the knoiYledge
of all this, which one would think impossible they could have for-
gotten, on the present occasion, none of them started the question
of the precise date, as a necessary and indispensable test.
Were these gentlemen more willing to put such questions a»
tended to effect the end, which we accuse them of having pui-sued.
ation; or,
ing, taken
rea of his
ive imagi-
'ard over-
d — in this
uf ul, that
las, to say
nect, that
fitted and
the other,
lion, with
cruelly he
ine a con-
candle of
^ht moon,
L Mr. Rae
within, I
ihsolutely
)f Session^
rived, and
1 defeated,
would not
voked by
interposi-
I, indeed,
isted with
ith. We
k how the
Heaven."
e, that not
atechising
trying and
liis adven-
lave been
jy, or was
ivho knew
forma the
a former
)incidence
suspicion,
;he model,
Fashioned;
novpledge
have for-
i question
estions as
^ pm'sued,.
17
namely, my condemnatior* i and do they forget only those which
might, peradrenture, have tended to defeat that end, by furnishing
me with the means of direct and decisive disproof. TTie long ex-
perience, which makes men sage, even when they are not the most
apt to learn, has, of late, quickened my perspicacity a little, in dis-
cerning and catchmg those minute and nice relations and ties, which
in a system at once so wide and deep as the present, unite and
bind together the several parts, however remote, into one harmo-
nious whole. This perspicacity — with me the child of long and sore
experience — has enabled me, on this occasion, to trace, as I think,
not indistinctly, an ingenious provision which has been made by my
accusers, conservative of their system — something not unlike what
medical men denominate the vis conservatrix natureB, by which it
is secured and fortified against any violent or direct attack, and in
a miuiner made inaccessible to the assailant. With a caution, not
wholly needless, they are careful not only not to state the day of
tlie month, or of the week, but so perfect is their circumspection,
that they have represented my visits as made on certain nights or
evenings, fearful, no doubt, that had they consulted probability a
little more, by specifying, even in general terms, that these visits
were made at late hours, their evidence might have run some hasard
of coming in collision with the counter evidence of my domestics,
who might, peradventure, vouch for my habits of regularity, as well
as of sobriety. This hazard is completely evaded by the adoption
of the two words, nights or evenings ; whereby, if something is
lost, in point of probability, by imputing to me so early a season
for paying visits of such imminent peril to my reputation — as the
word evening must imply— it is abundantly compensated by the
security which is gained against every attack upon their system,
by rendering it as little tangible as possible. But that I may
supply, to the best of my power, this lack, and render the matter
of these testimonies a little more tangible, I will see whether I can
trace any vestige of the precise dates of events so remarkable; that
I may, thereby, supply this desideratum, so material in the cIu*ono-
logy of the chronicles of our Committee of Session. It came to my
ears, as I doubt not it did to those of my confrere, and from a source
of information still more accessible to Mi. Black than to myself,
namely, (Mr. Howden) that the epoch of my rencounter with Messrs.
Cheney and Rae, and, so far as I could trace, after much search,
the earliest era of my rumoured fall, has been fixed for one or other
of three days, specified by name, to wit, the last Thursday, Friday,
or Saturday of June, 1829. However the members of the Com-
mittee of Session may have overlooked, as of slight importance, this
point, I myself lay no inconsiderable stress upon it, and I took no
small pains to verify its authenticity and correctness. It was first
communicated to me b) Mr. Howden ; who furnished me, in pre-
sence of Mr. John Blackwood, jun. with a written tnemorandum of
what he had verbally stated ; that, on the first day of July. 1829.
he had met with Mr. Wilson, who had informed liim that he had
m
HI
18
haard from a gentleman of his acquaintance, whom he would not
then name, thit I had heen seen in u hou*e of such » /escrip ion
upon a Friday, which Mr. Wilson has further declared to be that
Mediately preceding the date of this meetmg and conversation
with Mr. riowdenTln consequence of this mformation, I sent tor
Mr. Wihwn, who confirmed Uie truth of Mr. Howden s statement,
bvTt when I asked him to tell me the name or names of the person
V persons from whom he had this information, he POf ttjvely re-
ftwil bnt consented to make the communication confidentially to any
twTirentlemen of honour and respectability that I might name.
AccoHingly I directed him, for this purpose, to wait upon Messrs.
Ledie and Shaw; which he did, telling them m substance what is
nicorded in the deckration of Bae and Cheney, and verifymg the
Sbte^ which I have specified above ; and his testimony is corrobo-
rated andconfirmed by stroiig ing umost to tJke frill lengrii of confiiuking
their sentence, and sealing my condemnation. But fearful of the
hazard of killing them outright with ihe excess of so sndden a
burst of joy and gladness, as might overwhelm them, were I to
realize at once their fondest hopes, and crown at once their honour-
able and lengthened labours, I will here check my hand and pause,
until they shall have first settled with their witnesses the day, and
date, and hour, and then, should these happily coincide with aH Ae
facts and circumstances above stated, there will be as little room to
doubt our ultimate conviction, by the decision of our arbitrators, as
there is, now, doubt of the painful reality ! of our guilt in the Inilkb
of our accusers. With a view to illustrate and confirm s tmtii,
which, as my accusers seem to regard it, \l ao donbfiol as tlttft of th6
importance of dates in such cases as th6 present, I will liere b^
leave to produce — " unum pro omnibtts" — a single fact or faielden^
selected from a multitude of others in this eventful histoiy, iBid
based on the authority of most unquestionabledocnmentaryeyioeuoe.*
In a brief but lively episode of my correspondence whh H. Mac-
kenzie, that gentleman, in a letter addressed to me dated, Tfrarsday
evening, nine o'clock, 20th May, 1830, with all that eoiiildent
boldness, which, as every body knows, is a sure sign of eonsdous
truth, charges me, directly and unqiulifiedly, witn having been
guilty of some manoeuvring or low intrigue, which, as bein|f a thing
the most foreign from his character and habits, natnrallv excites in
his bosom a just and generous indignation ; and he frtrtner allege*,
that, in order to cover these my insidious practices, I had' been gnilty
of two absolute and wilful falsehoods, in two letters written isncoes-
sively and with a very short interval between them. He was ready
to prove, by the most honest and unsuspicious testimony, that of a
female domestic, trained up, under his own e^e, both by precept
and example, until she became so thoroughly riveted in the habit
of truth telling, that he could swear that, thoi^ a woman, not even
the love of slander would tempt hei to incline one hur-breadth to
the right hand or the left hand from truth. It would i^pear,
however, that my good genius, on this occasion, had been watchful
over rae, while it could be nothing less than Mr. Mackenzie's evil
genius, that prompted him to depart from his wonted caution in
See Appendix.
20
avoiding a needless particularity as to the dates of the facts in
question, therab^ ayi"ff lomself open to an adversary like me, who
.fl
would tak« all
Bat, to proueof. he
takett |# WoT«, ( TMr-ttv
old ada|4, ikat ihe u
things, th* wmest men,
4 tta^n of this overfrankness on his part.
■su which this most learned clerk under-
ig, in this imUtuie at least, the troth of that
St learned clork* are not always, and in all
) n order to convict n» >f manoeuvring and
hiMakoo4 were as follows: — that I had been a h< me on two suc-
cessive day^. at half-past twelve, on the one day, aiut at half-past four
o'chtck >n tile .^ner, the female domestic afn ^^aid. Nothing can
more clearly pro»«> 'He impolicy of this oversc pulous minuteness
in the specification u dates, than the result of this rash and unlucky
impeachment ; for, on the one day, as H. Mackenzie's evil genius
would have it, I left my house before eleven o'clock, and walked all
the way to the Rev. Mr. Mathieson's house, to hold some conference
with Doctor Harkness on parish business. There did I stay, until
near two o'clock, and even then did not return thence to my own
domicile, but went straightway to church, to meet my Session, if
they had been pleased to condescend to meet me, which, («for sub-
stantial reasons" doubtless) they did not — so much for impeachment
the first. Nor was the second attempt more lucky than its prede-
cessor ; for, instead of being at home next day, as he was able and ready
/yes, "ready, aye ready," might be his motto!) to prove, at half-past
four o'clock; just as if to give the slip to this noose, which Harry had
prepared to cast around my neck, to drag me wherewithal before the
f^«88ion, to answer to this new charge, I had gone out, by appoint-
I %it, so early as three o'clock, to meet Mr. Leslie and Dr. Caldwell,
HI id, returning in company with Mr. Leslie, after finishing our busi-
.ess, we met, about five o'clock, the Rev. Dr. Harkness and the
Rev. Mr. Mathieson. These Rev. gentlemen accompanied me to Dr.
Caldwell's, where we remained some time ; nor did I seperate from
such good company, until they had conducted me to my own house,
within a quarter of six o'clock,, and where we were scarcely entered,
when Mr. Mackenzie's servant delivered into my hands a letter,
which I read in the presence of the witnesses aforesaid. See, as a
voucher for the truth of this statement, Mr. Mathieson's memo-
randum.* In the epistolary skirmish, that ensued between us, Mr.
Mackenzie has distinguished himself by the most consummate skill
and ability, ii- the use of all the weapons of controversy and dia-
lectics, displaying all the desperate valour of his countrymen, of
whom it has been said, that " they do not know when they ar
beaten." Certain it is, that when I had assured myself of a decisive
victory, and with much self-complacency was hugging the idea, tl-;^.^
I had imposed silence on my redoubted antagonist, I felt, to iuy
* See Appendix.
: -'^f"'
|if±^»a*w«3*»
hmMMMMMI
il
i facts in
me, who
his part,
'k under-
th of that
and in all
vring and
two guc-
-past four
) ne could
iihful and
•thing can
linutenesg
i unlucky
iril genius
talked all
sonference
stay, until
my own
Session, if
["for sub-
}eachm«nt
its prede-
ancfready
t half-past
Harry had
before the
y appoint-
. Caldwell,
^ our busi-
is and the
[ me to Dr.
erate from
iwn house,
[y entered,
8 a letter.
See, as a
n's memo-
en us, Mr.
imate skill
y and dia-
;rymen, of
1 they ar;
' a decisive
idea, tKiit.
elt, to iiiy
i
mortification, that he realizeil the lines of Goldsmith, which, if not
prophetical, are almost literally descriptive of the &ct:—
" In Brguing too the Fknon owned bia skill.
For even when vanquiihed be could argue stiil."
What cause can be more hopeless than mine, siikce any «»vi character, as to leave me in possession of such a modicum
of prudeii.ce and modesty, as did not positively admit of his coming,
up to sdute me with a—" Hail, fellow ! weU met I" Mr. Cheney's,
ingenuity is first put to the stretch to devise a method of seeing me
without being seen himself. But, though it is easy to devise such
an expedient, it is not so easy to execute it in such a manner as not
to jostle with, and derange other points of this narrative. In fact,^
it leads him, in the end, into a manifest absurdity, or even some-
thing worse than absurdity, namely, to declare that he recognized
me a second time in the darkened room ; as it could not be con-
sistent with any degree of imaginable probability, to have averred
he saw me in a lighted room. Umy other points must occur to
betray, if not the utter falsehood of this testimony ; at least to leave
very little doubt of its being, if not a fabrication of his own, a hoax, or
a trick played upon him by others. He does not give us any informa-
tion how he came there,— how he happened to be alone ma darkened
room; as this is not the most probable situation in which a young
man, frequenting such houses might be supposed to place himself ; or
if he were there, in company with others, how I should have failed,
not being absolutely blind or deaf, to discover the danger to which
I was exposed, from my near vicinity to such witnesses ; namely,
an adjoining room, through which I actually passed 111 retiring, and
therefore, it may be presumed, did so in entering. Since Mr. Cheney.
says he heard my voice, though in a low tone, what reason can be
£
26
imagined why I should not have heard his conversation with the
girl, who, he says, went into the room where he was, and told him,
" There's the minister," and how I should have ventured, subse-
quently, to pass through such a room, with a consciousness of there
being witnesses there, it requires more than ordinary faith to be-
lieve, or more than common ingehuity to explain. But hoW cam'e
we there, and whence came the light by which he saw me : if we
entered by the same way, by which, he says, we passed out, he would
have a clear, a» well as a full view of my person. Every one must
see what a field there is here For cross-examination. But we shall
pass over all these dubitative circumstances, and take the statu quo
of the parties as correct. I am in the a(^oining room : Mr. Cheney
is unconscious of the extraordinary fact of the near vicinity of so
Rev. a personage ; but for the purpose of obtaining the speediest
intelligence of the presence of so extraordinary a visitant, a very
natur^ and probable expedient, forsooth, suggests itself to his ima-
gination, to which faculty, I doubt not, he and his fellow-witnesses
are mainly indebted for the very interesting materials of their testi-
monies. Like another Sampson, I am represented as having been
betrayed by this Delilah to the Philistines, who are lying in ambush,
and had beset the house within and without. What had made her
guilty of such treason to love and me, is not even attempted to be
explained ; but, I suppose, like all great conquerors, she was el%ted
with her victory, and, with all the natural pride of such a triumph,
made an ostentatious display to Mr. Cheney of her Rev. captive : a
rare and glorious trophy no doubt. But how she got into the room
were Mr. Cheney was, we are left to conjecture. Did she pass
through the hole in the partition ? Sure it must have been of very
ample dimensions : or are we to understand that there was, verily,
a door iu said partition, by which she made her ingress to Mr.
Cheney, and her reg^ress to me ? If so, why did not Mr. Cheney
take advantage, as the saying is, of an open door, to verify her intel-
ligence, and to glut his longing eyes, with a full gaze of a spectacle
so rich and rare, with all the advantages of candle light ? In what
tone, we would ask, less than low did she whisper to him the em-
phatic words, " There's the minister," so as not to alarm my audi-
tory sense ? How impudent on her part was it, and how passive on
mine, to have the door opened thus unceremoniously, and not only
the finger pointed, but the voice raised, to expose me to this sly and
insidious observer I But, like all well told tales, whose interest is
far more important than their truth, the wonder rises with every
step of the progress of our narrative. Mr. Cheney has his curiosity
excited by this piece of intelligence (and this circumstance we allow
is natural enough) to pronipt him, not as vulgar sense would have
dictated, to look in at the open door, but to peep throiigh the hole
cut in the partition. Was it cut at the time, and for the puq)08e,
through some prophetic anticipation of the coming event ? since, as
the poet says, —
" Coming evento cost their Bhadows before. "
r'
)n with the
d told him,
red, subse-
ess of there
faith to he-
; hoW canie
me: if we
t, he would
y one nmst
ut we shall
le skitu quo
Mr. Cheney
cinity of so
e speediest
;ant, a very
' to his inia-
w-witnesses
• their testi-
[laVing been
\ in ambush,
d made her
tnpted to be
} wag eUted
I a triumph,
. captive : a
to the room
id she pass
een of very
was, verily,
ress to Mr.
Mr. Cheney
fy her intel-
P a spectacle
? In what
lim the em-
m my audi-
V passive on
ina not only
this sly and
e interest is
with every
liis curiosity
ice we allow
would have
igh the hole
the puii)08e.
It ? since, as
.27
or, as we (ure rather inclinded to believe, was his attention so en-
grossed in cutting said hole, and peeping through it, as to induce an
utter oblivion of the door, and, with a liberty which belongs of right
to all dealers in fiction and romance, was his imagination so exalted
as to make him forget that our heroine was mere fiesh and blood,
and could not, in actuality, have effected a passage from one room
into the other, without an opening of suitable dimensions ? What
pity that we cannot, in this dilemma, resort to supernatural aids, and
suppose that ma chere damoiselle was no other than Mab, queen of the
fairies, for whose transition the hole aforesaid would have oeen amply
sufficient. There, by the light aforesaid, did he see me ; and as the
testimony of , one sense might not be sufficient to ensure the truth
of our narrative, another sense is called in to reinforce it ; for, he
adds, he heard the sound of the money I g^ve her ; taking advan-
tage, uo doubt, of the light, before it was extinguished : — a very
necessary and prudential caution ! Most people pay, I believe, aye
and dearly too, for such pleasures as I was now indulging, after tne
brief enjoyment ; but I paid, it seems, on this occasion, beforehand.
Mr. Cheney very opportunely, after, as he says, the candle was
blown out, discharges the auditorial sense, ana, to leave no doubt
of the perspicacity of his powers of vision, to which the darkness and
the light seem indifferent, he tells us very gravely, that he saw me
ascend a bed, into which the said girl had previously got. Mr.
Cheney is determined not to be a whit behindhand with Mr. Rae ;
for if the laws of astronomy were suspended in favour of the former,
why should it be thought less credible, that the laws of optical
science submitted as passively to the convenience of the latter?
Let no one suppose that Mr. Cheney is an Irishman, or that this is
merely a bull ; fur this is not the only, or indeed the principal in-
stance of his power to emulate, in fact, surpass the optics of the cat ;
for it will be told, in the sequel of this narrative, no less true than
marvellous, that he recognized me as I passed through tlie|darkened
room ; and, that we may be duly impressed, not merely with a
simple certainty of this notable adventure, we are distinctly informed
that Mr. Cheney was quite certain as to my identity, on a double
recognition. And should anyone be disposed to doubt the first
recognition, which was made in the light, he will not, sure, be so
exceedingly incredulous as to mistrust the second, when my whole
person, with all the striking diagnostics thereof, so minutely par-
ticularized in this faithful narrative, — to wit, my dress, my general
appeai'ance, my face, and my voice, although in a low tone, — become
again the object of his recognition in the darkened room ; thus
making assurance doubly sure. How can we ever sufficiently ap-
preciate our obligations to our worthy Committee of Session, for
this most laudable and most meritorious ^ains-taking, in concentrat-
ing, in this manner, all the light and force of their evidence in this
point, which is, as it were, the focus whereunto all the rays from
every ulhur point are niudu to converge ; and if, after all, the great
end of producing c-oravic^io/i of truth, or, to speak more properly, my
-\
mm
28
ii!
i m
% '•
[1
conviction, is not attained, we cannot deny to them the praise of
havinir, at least, laboured with all zeal and perseverance to make
the mSst of the evidence, and to set it off to the best advantage.
Who can fail to phice nnbounded confidence in such witnesses, whose
perceptions are so keen and penetrating, that no medimn wij mter-
eept their operations, or obscure their impressions : to such witnesses
toothimr less than implicit feith is due; afl nothing less is sufficient
for them. I wonder much that Mr. Armour shouQ have proposed,
after all this, so unnecessary and impertinent a question to Mr.
Cheney, as whether he might not have taken some other person tor
me. How could it be imagined possible that there shoidd be any
mistake on this occasion, on the part of one endowed with a double
power of vision ; with something above and beyond the vulgar sense,
—a new, and quite original, species of second sight,— the redim-
dancy of whose power was more than sufficient to compensate for
any lack of Ught ;— a witness whose single testimony is equivalent
to that of any two, and whose two eyes are worth four, at least, ot
the same organ in ordinary men. As such a witness was well en-
titled to a double portion of faith, he might well assume a modest
confidence ; and as his declaration, possessing sucJi intnnsic marks
of truth, was unreasonably discredited, whalt could he do le^s *han
protest that he was ready to swear to the truth of facts, which had
dome, in circumstances, in every respect so favourable, nnder the
cojrnlzance of his senses both of seeing and hearing, both m light
and darkness ? Would that we only had a moral or a metaphysical
balance, wherein to weigh this testimony, whose double certamty,
augmented by the accession of an oath, would be equiponderant with
the testimony of any half dozen of our vulgar testifiers. My only
marvel is, how a doubt or a misgiving could have ever come across
such a mind as his, and how he could have abated aught ot a conh-
denee so well grounded, a« he did, in a moment of weakness or
surprise, in the presence 6f Messrs. Mackenzie and M'ConneU.
Since therefore, there could be no mistake on his part, in the recog-
nition of so old an acquaintance, I have only to express, first, my
rejrret that the pleasure is exclusively on his side, and, secondly,
mv hope that, as my feebler powers of vision do not enable me to see
my friends in the dark, he will, I trust, accept this as my apology
for not having accosted him upon so interesting an occasion ; and 1
would not have him doubt, that if he had done me the honour to
meet me in the light, where the pleasure of the recognition would
have been equal and reciprocal, he should not have found an old
friend tvith a netvface. There is one circumstance m this narrative
which will be allowed to wear a very great aspect of nrobabUity ;
namely, that he was a scholar of mine ;~yea, verily, and an apt one
too- who shall doubt this ?— let work bear witness ;— and he had
come to meet me this night to receive a last lesson,— a finish ; and
that ine Dencm wi sucn j;«nru rt..a v...- .-'■•-
of such suitable example to enforc(! it, might not be lost to the world,
but that all the youth of our city might share the fruits of such an
29
bhe plraise of
nee to make
It advantage,
lesses, whose
imwillinter-
icli witneflses
3 is sufficient
ive proposed,
stion to Mr.
er person for
lomd be any
(rith a double
vulgar sense,
— the redun-
mpensate for
is equivalent
u*, at least, of
was well en-
ime a. modest
itrinsic marks
e do less than
its, which had
lie, under the
both in light
, metaphysical
ible certainty,
onderant with
rs. My only
jr come across
ght of a confi-
' weakness or
id M'Connell.
, in the recog-
resH, first, my
md, secondly,
lable me to see
cis my apology
jcasion ; and I
the honour to
tgnition would
e found an old
this narrative
•f probability ;
md an apt one
;— and he had
—a finish ; and
>n^ with the aid
3t to the world,
lits of such an
|1 beg leave, however, to decline availing myself of the t^logy^
nitiation, has this most probable, edifying, and consistent narrative,
heen imprint and pidtlished, through the appropriate ihedinm of
the Committee of Session of Saint Gabriel Street Church, which
having erewliile constituted itself the guardian of the ptMie peaeej*
has thus agun stepped forth into publie view, in a character no leai
befitting, i.e. the equal guardian ofpMic morah.
The evidence of Eliza Cunningham affords the most unambignousf
symptoms of the same gross and bungling endeavour to conceal the
weakness or to exaggerate the force of these precious declarations,
by tampering with the witnesses, and suggesting to them such evi-
dence as they are desirous to draw from them. How easily such
witnesses will be made to gratify the wishes of such examiners, it
is needless for me to remark, but I will say, what my accusers need
seemingly to be taught, that it is not quite so easy a matter to make
such testimony consistent with itself, aad' with truth, and pro-
bability.
Eliza starts boldly and confidently with the affirmation that she
knows me, having seen and conversed with me frequently, and that
I was in the habit of visiting the house in which she lived. So far
Eliza goes on with a steady unfaltering step, but, in the next sen-
tence, where she proceeds to corroborate another testimony, that of
Rosalie Boilieu, she unluckily stumbles against truth; for, upon
evidence, that I will not disparage by a comparison with that of
Eliza and her accomplices, it will appear, that I was never absent
from my own house, during this period, one whole night, with the
exception of a visit to Beauharnois, which shall be duly certified ;
and, by the concurring testimony of my household, was never known
to be in a state of intoxication. This untoward breaking of some
links in our chain, leaves this witness, without remedy, convicted of
falsehood ; and vainly shall we resort to the evidence of her sister
accomplice, Rosalie Boilieu.f in the hope of its yielding us any
succour, for it is not only overthrown by the conclusive and unani-^
mous evidence aforesaid, but, as will appear forthwith, it is actual!) i
destructive of itself, and cannot, therefore, either give or receiv a-
the support so much needed.
But as these two witnesses have presented us with some data fr ir
tracing and ascertaining the truth of their statements, namely, th at
I was drunk that night, having come from a party, and that I spe at
the night in such good company; I will say that here " there is lao
mistake, and there shall be no mistake." I would pause to rema rk
with this view, that during the summer months, it is a well kno\ vn
fiict, that there are very few parties in Montreal. I can truly si ly,,
that, to the best of my belief, 1 did not attend in all above hatf a doz eu
during the period in question; and that, from particular circum-
stances, it would be easy to trace well nigh the dates of all of ther q. J
» See No. 152.
f See printed Minutes of Committee of Si-sslon, No. 16 & 64; see aim Appei wlix
\ See Appeudix, Noe.
t.. .Ui£.«i^'X''rlt&..S^.^^.i(
3Q
ill'
hii
■4i
I shall give my adversaries these, and whatever other advantages of
the same kind, their hearts can desire, to find what corroboration
they may of these statements, from honest and creditable Mritnessfes,
of whom there is such a plentiful lack in this business. I cannot
help noticing the word evenings; for, when the season of the year
is considered,, one might suppose, that I would hardly have ventured
to sally forth on such expeditions earlier than eleven or twelve
o'clock, and that, too, under the deepest veil of night, sable goddess I
but unlike most workers of iniquity, who love darkness raUier than
light, I walk forth, in the light of the sun, and play the drunken
Bacchanal on the king's highway, to the great annoyance of his
Majesty's liege subjects; I go in broad day light with Mr. Peddie,
in moon light with Mr. Rae, and in candle light with Mr. Cheney, —
where it iU became me to go " in murkest night at midnight hour;"
verily there is, in all this, on my part, if little policy, at least no
hypocrisy. Well might Mr. Black exclaim, as he did in his own
defence, << against wickedness in high places;" aye, and in the
fulness of his righteous zeal, he might have added another feature
not less notable, " in high day too."
" To laugh, were want of goodness and of grace,
And to be grave exceeds all power of face."
I
This witness states with mathematical precision, which, I sup-
pose, passed with the examinators as a demonstration of her truth ;
not the months or years, during which we dwelt together, as
might have been apprehended from the formidable words cohabit
and cohabitation, but three seperate nights or evenings , that I visited
her. And, has it come to this ? and is this the whole amount of
my intercourse with one who states, that she had seen and conversed
with me frequently, and that she knew me intimately ? and that I
"Was in the habit of visiting the house while she remained there ?
dhe is also made to, state, with as much exactitude as if she kept an
iBccount of her receipts, the several prices of said cohabitations ;
mamely, firstly, five dollars; secondly, three dollars; thirdly and
lastly, two dollars : — a very pretty descending climax I I must own
somewhat too much ybr single visits, and too little for cohabitations,
\VTio can doubt the testimony of a witness so minutely and scrupu-
Icuely particular in her statements ? She is, indeed, o, perfect pre-
cisionist! But, in the next sentence, as if my accusers, for I deem
Eliza Cunningham perfectly innocent of any knowledge whatsoever
(unless it may be practical and experimental) of the terms cohabit
an d cohabitation, seemingly so natural and familiar to her lips, were
de sirous to justify — by a sort of metonomy peculiar to themselves —
th( >ir use and application of the term, they go on to prove that, if I
ili< I not cohabit with Eliza, I did the same thing nearly, I purposed
or intended to do so, and to take lodgings for her in Montreal, that
I naijp^hc apprize her friends in Upper Canada, and restore her to
the bosom of her parents ; this was just acting, as became my cha-
rac ter and cloth ! and, certainly, it will be allowed, that never was
the zeail of reclaiming a poor sinner carried to a greater extent.
31
which is here insinnated for guch visits and for such intimacy.
Such zeal I dare not lay claim to ; it were too much even for an
apostle ! But it is worthy of remark, that^ while Eliza starts with
such an absolute and unqualified declaration of her intimacy with
me, there is apparently some little misgiving in her own mind, or
in the minds of her examiners, or penulventure of both, as to the
actual certainty of her knowing me at all.* Not without reason,
say I, if my evidence may in aught be trusted. But, what ! doubt
the probability of her knowing the man with whom she was so
familiar, with whom she cohabited ; and who did not wait for night
with her veil of darkness, to elude the eye of curious observation,
and impertinent remark. But let us have patience, and we shaU
hear many and better reasons for her knowing me forthwith.
First, then, she knew ^e by having seen me go in at a gateway of
a house in St. Paul's street, opposite the theatre, where, she adds,
I kept a school. This, however, is far from being a lucky hit, for
I could easily proire, (were it at all worthy of proof,) that I do not
enter my premises by the said gateway, upon an average, more than
once, I suppose, in a month ; and that it should have so chanced,
that she saw me, twice in succession, entering my house by this
postern gate, is only not impossible. No man, it has been said, is
a hero to his valet de chambre, and I have no right to complain,
if I have, perchance, been mistaken for any person of inferior
dignity, appertaining to my household; with whom it is as un-
common to enter by the front door, as for me, their lord and master,
to make my ingress by the gateway aforesaid; and I g^eve to
think, that any certificate of their absolute and immaculate chastity,
is what, if I could conscientiously give, would be, I fear, of little
avail for them, at least in the eyes of the Committee of Session.'
Well ! but if this proof of our acquaintance fail, in any measure,
let us try the next. She has seen me pass by the house in which
she resided, and, upon one occasion, I was pointed out to her by '
gentlemen, who were in the habit of frequenting the said house, in
which she lived, as being a minister. ' Some people require to have
long memories, or short stories; for, if we may believe another
testimony,f she pointed me out tj the gentleman or gentlemen,
(for they are like FalstafP's " eleven men in buckram, (frown out of
two") saying " There's the minister." But let this pate, and let us
go on ; there is such a fertility of comment that we progress some-
what slowly. These gentlemen, as well they might, express their
astonishment at seeing me in said house, nor would this astonish-
ment have been diminished, had she told them the pious and truly
ministerial objects of these visits. But there remains one allegation
more of this amiable, amusing, and most credible witness, which is as
probable in itself, and as well entitled to our faith, as any of the
preceding; to wit, that she never received any reward, or the pro-
• See Appendix, Nos.
f See printed Minutes of the Committee, No. 18.
98
I 'I
SlJi'
mise of any reward, of any kind or nature whatsoever, to indnce
her to make the present decbiration.* No, verily ; she came
forward, with a pure and disinterested zeal, to vindicate the honour
of religion, and to co-operate with other fellow workers, animated
by the name spuit, in exposing my aberrations. Verily, if good
sense, consistency, and probability are any of the marks of truth,
who wiU question the claims of this precious piece of evidence to
the fullest possession of them ? (Quo^ «'«•*«» <«' mendacui.J I do
not think that the arbitrators need travel an hundred miles to cross-
question such witnesses, and where the internal evidences we so
pbin and palpable, it is altogether a matter of superfluity to direct
their attention to the external.t Cicero has said m some part of
his writings that he wondered how " two augurs or haru8pic«8
could look one another in the face without laughing. Could Mr.
Black and the other members of this famous Committee, on this
occasion, look one another in the face and maintain a perfect immo-
bility of the risible muscles? In conclusion, I would E«k how Mr.
Mackenzie could be such a novice as to have given this wit less, for
such evidence, a douceur of sixteen dollars into her loof, hebdo-
midal remittance of five dollars, with several other et ceteras f This
beats me and my five; three, and two dollars hollow I No wonder
that, with such odds against me, I have come off discomfatedl— 1 1
hope I have now atoned, by this long and grave comment, tor the
indignity which I offered to these inimitable witnesses m the first
instance, when I refused to take' any notice of their evidence; and
this commentary, if it be not needful to the arbitrators, wiU, I hope»
though it comes late and somewhat out of season, avail to propitiate
the bffended spirit of its authors and recorders, who hav-e earnpd,
with no small pains, and ought not, by any means, to be defrauded
of their due meed of praise. .
The whole chain of this goodly company of witnesses, in support
of the first article of my impeachment,§ is brought up and closes
with Rosalie Boilieu; and never was there a more suitable cons)^:"-
mation of absurdity and nons^ise, matched with other elemerst^
which I will not deign to express. The very closeness with which
this honourable association is linked together, the perfect continuity
with which hand joins in hand, and the evidence of the one is
echoed and reechoed by the other, until their whole assembly unite
in one harmonious chorus ; aU this, though it was thought, as well
no doubt as intended, by my accusers to be corroborative of their
veracity, to a more penetrating eye, is, on the other hand, a pre-
sumption, and a strong one too, of fabrication. The whole wears
the most palpable appearance of concert, coUusion, conspiracy ; and
nothing can be imagined more unlike the artless simplicity of truth;
nor would mv accusers have exposed themselves so grossly, had
theypoasesseii a little more wisdom, or at least a little less cunnmg.
• See Appendix, Nos. t See Appendix, Nos.
\ See Memorial to Dr. Lee.
§ Set prhite4 Minutes, Nos.
16, 64; see alao Appendix.
33
" You are very deep Mr. ShaUow," is a pun of Shakspeare'g which
present case. But to proceed, the evidence* of this witness wJ
£rahitrt?n;::^f7^^^^^^^^
rSS" ' Jte/' t^ tin^efc'Triol'^^^^^^ ^SZZ
gomg to and fro in the earth, and S^^ up LTK in ?'
after the manner of his ancient and grand pfototyJerwhThrwent
abroad on s.mdar errands. The m^ter of the house receives^lm
wjh due courtesy, and, having some avocations, 3es hhn sS
ouT NTiTr^.? ' ""^^^'^ ^*^' «« the'immortaUtyof Sf
soul. No, he had other matter more suitable to the dav an^ to thl
character of «, elder to meditate upon. The landlo/d upon Ws
return, found his guest, with some surprise, convSTwith one of
wL'Stin"X' Fr^;^^^^^ ambiguous^roputation ;ThTco"„tCi:n
I?k u 1 I f rench language, the witness' mother tonmie An
oath had been admnustered to her on Mr. HamUton's bZ, which
shTew7LTs'Va"t if":hT3"'r*^ P-"y Pl-« intimaJio's'r
sarewd nints, that if she did not give the evidence, which was
needed by the eder, it would be competent for the m^llJZ
to send her to Jail; forasmuch as nheVmed her llveSd t
a way not altogether sanctioned by Sw. ThVrmMifeS
from what was told to Mr. Hamilto/by the witiess af^ the
interview with the magistrate, who left Lr quelled and quicS^
under the terrors of his official authority. But o^ rJv^S
worshipful duumvir, uniting, as he did, in his owTpemTn ^e
thT I' "^'Sf ^^^^^r''"? \*"** eW«., did not trust XSr to
the strength of the broad hint, which he had thus sSc^tlv
given-this «ar^«;„^<„^ ad mulierum"-a^ we mavS it noT
contented witli hammering her into a perfect malleaK theiebv to
mould her to the will of her examinator, he takes TSer secS
to have all things done to his will and his wish, by assuming S^
office m addition to the duplicate with whici he w^ S^
chgnified, that namely of translator, interpreting, wilh the S
English, and construing her statements>to his own sense and
meaning. It was perhaps, impertinent Ciosity ormrp^ to
desire a sight of t&is affidavit with ite subscriptions "^l^wj^
produced with such reluctant delay, as showed there wTnop^
cular wish to have it exposed to the light. It is wondTurif rt?I
testimony which is the very top of the^max, the c^^^^^^^
Son. Lh ' r*^ '^"^ ^T «»d,™8rhtiest link in this ch^^
strong and conclusive evidence, does not overcome the mMTre-
belhous scepticism and unbelief. Others knew me by my walk
and appearance, other some were told « There goes the mL^»
• See Appendix, No.
P
di
imi
I was seen by moon-light, by candle-light, and, marvello«« m .t
mav seem, tnie it ia aa marvefloui., I waa seen without any light at
aU in a darkened room. What evidence more conclusive than all
this can the wit of num devise? none, perhaps. But the wit ot
woman-not more quick than it is fertile and '"ventive-raay nut
be so easUy exhaiated as man's duller and kss prolific tngtne.
Tliig new and original source of evidence has been reserved very
apZjpriately for the last and finishing stroke ; and not to keep my
SSilonier in suspense, as to this mighty and mysterious
secret be^Xown mitTthem, that Rosalie Boilieu«»uld be in no
mU^e ttn Vns my identical self-the Rev. Henry Esson,
Zbtei she believed it on the best of aU gromids, for I told her
JSTBut, L if even this were not enough to complete this certainty
of ceSties, and to rivet universal belief m the ten y of the fact,
U i?Sded, that I was, that night, in a most truth-tellmg mood;
«id. M people, in a state of sobriety, have sometimes a strange
tendency to fib, in order to remove every vestige of a cloud that
St 7im the lustre of such resplendent evidence, be it further
knSwn mito aU, that I appeared this night quite m the indicative
mooTaS hi the most perfect humour of telling the truth, the whole
teu?h Sd nothing but the truth; for is it not agreeable to the ex-
perience of aU mankind, in aU ages, that " a fou man is a true man
er^otf there are any so slow offaith, as still to remain unconvinced
b7L preceding cloid of witnesses, how, pray, can they, with any
Ee p?etend to discredit my own attestation, or more properW
confessor? At last I have laid aside the mask, and come forward
to a^o^ce myself in all my well known and appropriate terms of
nar^aTde^gnation. From this dilemma I cannot imagine to
Zelf any moSe or way of escape better than what «.«ugge«^d
Ke worlds of the old song, wtich is not only appropnate to the
extremTexigency of my present case, but may claim something of
SEticS^autiority,^h5;ving been composed by.a Rev. Divine.*
I mTl could, for my own better vindication, give the whole ot
thrprecioti li tie canticle ; but, I grieve to say, that my memorv
ateins oSy the few lines that seem to apply to mv case, and which
/am therefore obliged to present in this mutilated form :-
" There was a wee bit wifikie
i And she gaed to the fiyr,
She to* a wee bit drapaljie
That cost her muckle care.
• • * * * •,
rHere there is a hole in my ballad.)
?,*♦••
And, quoth the wee bit wifikie,
This is not me /"
Were I to contend, that our mysterious incognito, on this occa-
sioTlSceUe heroin^of this song, W drunk himself into a momen-
*T-' !;Siviousness of his own Identity, and also mtu an illusive
• Dr. Geddes.
35
belief that he waa no less a personage than our Reverend selt, who
will Bay, that either in point of gravity, dignity, or lefotimatenew
of character, this argument is one whit behind the evidence, with
which it is matched. And, furthermoi. . forasmuch as Mrs. Young,
has said, nay, sworn, that Eliza Cuiniiugham, in d< jag to her
the personal appearance of this reverend unknown, (w^iose cel^hirity
is now scarcely inferior to that of the great unknown ; whether like
the latter he shall one day shake off his visor and disclose himselt
for the satisfaction of the curious, we pretend not to divine^ has
stated, that he was not so thin and n eagre in person as ourself ; we
are happy to take the benefit, in our present distress and perplexity,
of the d(»or which is thus opened, thereby to effect our escape.
This sudden and unexpected turn of our tale opens quit* a new
scent, delivering us, like the persecuted hare, from the hunters.
This description, it is clear, can have no application to our penJdn ;
(forasmuch, as we rank not among the sons of obesity, but are
enrolled in the corps of the slenders;) but points to some Drothec
having more of the en bon point than ourself. And certes there is
a greater appearance of vraisemblance in this new view of the
matter, since, as Falstaff says, "the more flesh, the more corruption.
We will not be so uncharitable, on the present occasion, as to in-
sinufite that any of our brethren of the Committee of Session, in
their communion, secret and confidential, with these fair witnesses,
could have had other views than those which became their character
and office, in their twofold capacity of civil and ecclesiastical
dignitaries ; or that they could have been actuated by motives loss
pure, than zeal for the investigation of truth and the detection ot
" wickedness in high places." It is enough for us to have pamed
this formidable blow from our own person; and, therefore, con-
gratulating ourselves, on such an emergency, that we are not among
the number of your « round, fat, oily men of God ;" we feel ourselves,
contented, for once in our life, to be like your "lean and hungry
Cassius," &.^ving with the poet, " Et aliqms malo fuit, urns m tUo.
If any one had wished to illustrate, by example, how to exhaust
all the arts, shifts, weapons, stratagems, and resources that may be
collected and employed in the glorious and generous warfare of
calumny, where could they find so true and perfect a mirror, to
reflect its image, as in the proceedings of the Committee of Session,
of St. Gabriel street church ! What step could be imagined, more
admirably adapted to the purpose, than that of my ingenious and
Rev. Confrere, who gathers up all the scandalous stories, rumours,
surmises, and hints which an itchhiff ear, aye, and a listening one too,
could catch. He puts them, like eggs, into a nest for incubation ;
he hatches and nurses them, until, like the callow brood ot the
feathered tenants of the air, they become winged and stmng enough
to cleave their proper element, then are they sent forth, from under
his hand, to fly under the whole heaven. But this wise policy, so
.gt-.A^/l ;» the Minufm nftlie Committee of Session,* ijossesses
« See Nos. 23, 24.
36
ilili ,
: ,'
ifiij
another signal advantage, it enabled them to retain, or to modifV at
their pleasure, either in obedience to stem necessity, or in con-
tormitjr mth existing circumstances, such of them as, in their
pnmitive form, could not bear the light; such of these tender
nurselings as, had they been sent forth thus prematurely, could not
have lived, moved, or had a being. One of their most effective and
tormidable charges was, in this stage of its existence, disarrayed at
once of Its fairest proportions and noblest attributes. Mr. Bhick, at
iuorr f ^ ^J'T; *^?^o''«v him, on the 2Hth of November,
18-fy, had It recorded in his secret book, that a certain housekeeper
of mine had left my house, with pregnant proofs of my stolen
amoiu^. So soon as this reache.1 my ears, I took such steps asj I
doubt not, convinced them of the necessity of qualifying this evi-
deuce, which was too good to be true, and, to use a strong phrase,
they were obliged to emasculate it in a most piteous manner. Let
the wbitrfttors read with due attention this evidence, as it now
stands, and ^sop s fable of the mountain in labour will be forcibly
recalled to their mmds, »parturiunt monies, nascitur ridiculua
tntu.
Suppose I were not to touch this evidence * at all, or could not
disprove acy of the aU^tions contained in it, what does it amount
toj- to what other conclusion could the arbitrators come, than that
1 was mdeed a very simpleton to have asked this precious Pamela
to marry me, and she stdl greater to decline so fair an offer ? It
proves, at least, that I was much a novice in the arts of iruile, and
therefore, it might be presumed, in common candour, unpractised
ITrW T* "? "7'^^' ^"^5 '*"" evidence, gentlemen, affords clear
proof, though not of my guilt, at least of the malice of my accusers.
It wa« calculated to be subservient to the purpose of awakeninir
suspicion, and of preparing the minds of the people to revive, with
due susceptibilny, tfie impressions of their preceding charg^; it
gave at least some colour to them, and this was enough to warrant
the production of it. Had they been animated with the spirit of
ordinary candour, of respect for religion, or regard for my usefiil-
S i^^f *i * **J have hatched, or could they have exhibited such
pitifid stuff as this. This evidence bears upon the face I
were actually stated by Mr. Hpwdeti ; and with having, by thi»
partial and matilated statement, given studiously and wilfullt/ a
false colouring to the whole transaction, and with a view of the
most palpable baseness. This incident is of some importance, as
it directly aflPects myself; for, in the first place, it casts upon me,
without a shadow of ground for it, an imputation of unhandsome
and dishonourable conduct, of meanness, if not of treachery ; but,
what ia more, it tends still more directly to serve the infamous
purposes of my accusers, by representing me as capable of an en-
deavour to bribe and to seduce him from Mr. Black's service, and
this (for such inference is naturally insinuated) for some unworthy
purpose, which I could not well avow. In reference to this last in-
sinuation, I have only to remark, that I dare the young man
himself to say, that I ever used any means to conciliate him ; and
that the terms, in which I addressed him in any interview I had
with him, after he left me, were not conceived in a tone and spirit
very ^'^r ft-om flattering; but, though I greatly blamed him, and
most unreservedly expressed my censure to himself, I did not, on
that account, break off all connection with him, believing, as I cer-
tainly did then and do now believe, that he acted under Mr. Black's
influence and by his instigation ; and I pledge myself most amply
to verify the truth of the above statements, so soon as 1 am favoured
ivlth an opportunity of confronting and cross-examining the parties.
But this incident, m the second place, is not less important, as it
ttnds to betray the spirit which inspired my accusers, instigating
tuem to pervert and to misrepresent the trut bin this unscrupulous
^nanner, for an end which it is not difficult to divine, and which I
shall 1 jave the arbitrators to characterize. It is a melancholy re-
flection to roe, that, I have thus to deal with men, who care not
hoT7 much they expose their o;vn want of character, and their utter
contompt of all truth, honour, and principle, provided they can
thereby effect the destruction of mine. It is long since, I have
telt and complained of this employment of weapons, which no
bonoumble or honest man could wlow himself to touch, and which
no cause but a most unworthy one could require ; and of all these
dishonourable instruments of a dishonourable warfare, there is none
which has been more uniformly brought into action, than that
species of falsehood (in my view the worst and the most malignant)
which consists in a partial statement of facts, and which ofteo dis-
torts and perverts truth in an extreme degree, and produces an
impression the more difficult to be combated and removed ; that it
is grounded on facts partially recorded, or exhibited in such a form
and order, as to give a new character to the whole transaction or
subject of the narrative, of which this last affidavit presents a
bright example f *
ifn reviewing the whole evidence, I would remark, that all the
testi. -jnies, in reference to the first charge, are utterly worthless
* See Appendix. ,
41
?» by this
wilfully a
jw of the
rtance, as
upon me,
[handsome
lery; but,
infamous
of an en-
nrice, and
unworthy
lis last in-
»ung man
him'; and
lew I had
and spirit
him, and
id not, on,
', as I cer-
[r. Black's
est amply
\ favourea
he parties,
tant, as it
instigating
scrupulous
id which I
ncholy re-
o care not
their utter
they can
;e, I have
which no
and which
" all these
)re is none
than that
nalignant)
ofteu dis-
oduces an
id ; that it
tch a fonn
is^k^tion or
)resents a
[lat all the
worthless
and disci'edited, on the faoe of them, by their palpable and groM
discrepancies and monstrous improbabilities. They do not wear a
feasible aspect, they are not worthy of criticism or animadTersion ;
and it is matter of i'egret to me, that I hate been compelled to
touch evidence of such a stamp, w^ich is even below derision, it is
too stupid to be a subject of ridicule. If I shall appear to the
arbitrators to have treated it in a manner too light and trifling, they
will do me the justice to believe, that it was not from any want
of respect to them, as my judges, or of a due sense of the very
serious nature of the charges which it is brought to support; but
from the almost impossibility, as it seemed to me, if I torched it at
all, of treating it in any other way. If ridicule is not always the
test of truth, it is at lea^t the only weapon with which to encounter
absurdity and nonsense; and I trust that J have combined, in my
discussion of said evidence, a sufficient portion of nolid ai^ument
to expose its weakness, if not its futility. I may be allowed to
remark, that all the witnesses, who are brought forward on my side,
I believe, with only two exceptions (and these eqtifd, at least,
to the best of tiie same kidney on the other side) are respectable,
and many of them of the highest respectability in point of character.
Though destitute of many advantages for eliciting the truth, such
as cross-examination, confronting of witnesses and parties, &c.
yet this disadvantage is, in some measure, remedied, by the extent
of the proceedings and correspondence. Truth alone is consistent;
and it is hardly possible, that falsehood or unfair dealing can be
prolonged through a lengthened period of time without the certainty
of detection, arising out of the contradictions and inconsistencies
which either inadvertenly or unavoidably must occur. I will seek
no better or ampler materials to convict my accusers of foul play,
of such a spirit and conduct as destroys all confidence in them ; nay,
of violations of truth and other moral delinquincies, neither few m
number nor small in magnitude, than those which their own records
furnish. Here I find "my bane and antidote both before me."
The lalsehood of their assertions and the insincerity of their pro-
fessions, iu one part, are fiilly evinced by their writings, and not
unfrequently by their actions in a subsequent ; an(* if some of my
charges against them, or my suspicions, may seem hard and un-
charitable, it will be found, ror the most part, that the evidence on
which I lean, is no less solid, or authentic, than their own self-
admitted, self-recorded, sayings and doings. " Out of their own
mouth will I condemn them." The very testimonies of their own
witnesses are, in ftistances not a few, confuted or reduced to utter
insignificance, by the explanations or additions which a fair and
impartial examination has drawn out of them ; such are Whitlaw
and Howden. The evidence of Rosalie Boilieu has its first uid
only relevant part utterly and palpably confuted by the last. She
knew me, she states, in the first part, in the end she admits that
she was not certain as to my name ; and, as she has given no de-
BCfijjiiiun
J2ty pcraOiiai a|;|n;dx aituc,
k^ '.A.
\C
w i«dicji ;
&t:z:
42
her evidence, consequently, ^^oes for nothing. The evidence of
M. M'Intyre, of no account in itself, were it to go for all that it is
worth, on the face of it, has no less authentic and unquestionahle a
contradiction, as to any actual criminality at least, than the wit-
ness' letter, written with her own hand, several months prior to this
and before she had met with the Rev. E. Black, who, it is stated
therein, was desirous to see her 1 With regard to the evidence of
Messrs. Whitlaw and Bruce, my accusers know full well, that, if
they had unfortunately been true, I was not the man Vrho should
have been exposed for a delinquency so rare' with me, and so much
at variance with my general habits. Of the other charges I had
heard, in the month of September, all, and more than all that my
adversaries durst advance in their libel ; but this charge of Bruce
and Whitlaw was perfectly unexpected, and did astonish me. No
body could be a better judge of the extreme improbability of the
former, than one leading member of the committee, Mr. Armour;
and Mr. Black was scarcely less familiar with my habits of sobriety.
This confirms me in the belief, which is established sufficiently
already, of their having studiously laboured to concatenate the
evidence, or to biiild it up into a firm and extended fabric. Nothing
else can be sufficient to account for their having admitted evidence*
so extremely improbable in itself, and which had not, like their
other charges, the advantage oi fama clamosa as a substitute for its
utter want of probability. But the evidence of Bruce and Whitlaw,
if they serve no other purpose, prove how eager they were to
accuse, and how anxious and forward their partisans were to supply
the materials so much needed and desired. It proves more — ■how-
little confidence can be placed, even in witnesses, otherwise respect-
able, when they come forward, in the spirit of party, to give
evidence at the mstigation of their leaders, and when that evld'^nce
is taken and recorded by examiners, who have a fellow-feeling with
them. In these circumstances, I humbly thipk that if I could
oppose to such charges, and such witnesses as we are now dealing
with, no other than the general evidence of a life and conversation,
which, whatever may be its other imperfections, is at as great a
remove, as can well be supposed from any suspicion of such habits,
I should sufficiently rebut it. Nor is this tnith less patent to my
accusers, than to the rest of the world. I am warranted to say, and
I defy them to gainsay, it, that it is impossible to attach to me even
the slightest suspicion of such delinquencies being habitual to me,
nor) indeed', have they dared to do so. In consequence of this well-
known regularity in my habits of life, they have been compelled to
resort to the statement of the most improbable circumstance of my
committing such delinquencies, not in the shades of midnight, for
this, they knew well, xnight have been met at once by direct and
most decisive counter-evidence, but in day light, in the evenings —
aye, and moon-ligiit evenings too. Whence, then, I would fain ask
them, conies the difficulty, of which they complain, of finding
credible and numerous witnesses; more especially, when wo add,
43
that the phwe allegerf, as the scene of such deeds, is not less un-
favourable fpr the purposes of conc^ealment tlian the time. It is
thus that, in labouring to avoid Scylla, my accusers run foid of
Charybdis ! When a long string of accusations, like the present,
are read, however little credit or consistency may appear in, them,
It 18 natural that some surprise should be excited by a circumstance
so extraordinary, as the very possibility of obtaining any currency
for them. Whether this may be accounted for more ssitisfactorily
by iraputmg it to a peculiar susceptibility of such accusations, in-
cident to my known or reputed habits of life ; or to the unscrupu-
lousness with whi
them ? — an investigation which it would have been unmanly and
unbecoming for them to have openly instituted? — but to have gone
to work as they have done, — clandestinely, — identifies them 'vith all
that is dastardly, as well as with all that is wicked and unprincipled,
in this most inglorious confederacy. When I consider how their
witnesses have been thus, from the first instant, bound fast, and, an
it were, chained to their cause, so that they cannot now shake them-
selves off from it, without being convicted of falsehood, or even
perjury,— when I consider the facility with which persons of no
very scrupulous conscience, could be brought to give such evidence,
at a time when the voice of scandal was loud, and the minds of many
were not more open to believe, than their mouths to proclaim, the
popular calumnies of the day, — when I consider how strictly and
Tig;ilantly my friends and I have been shut out from all access to
their witnesses, who have been g^uarded against every hazard of our
approach or communication with them, — I only marvel that we have
been able to procure such abundant and decisive evidence of the
falsehood of their accusations.
I have suflBciently exposed, though I have by no means extunsted,
all the mm-ks of discrepancy and absurdity which characteri»e the
evidence of my accusers. In that which is now adduced in my vki-
dioation, there will be found a harmony and consistency, as well as
all those characters of probability, go^d sei se, and fairness, which,
if I dotiot deceive myself, form a perfect contrast with that to which
it stands opposed. I might enlai^e on this topifl with much advan^
tage to my own cause ; but for the present, at leapt, I deem it
needless, and leave it, with confidence to the judgment of my
arbitrators and to the scrutiny of my a4M;users.
B^we I finally dismiss the subject of the charges and evidence
against me, I cannot forbear drawing the attention of the arbitrators
to the most palpable and pointed indications of a systematic design,
of a laborious industry, to make all its ravs converge towards the
one fatal point, to concentrate them all, and to make them terminate
in that first and capital charge— /omjca/io«. There is not one of
, their witnesses whose evidence is not pointed to this directly or in-
directly. For this was the charge of drunkenness trumped up ;
with this view are the dates fixed, so as to be exactly coincident
with each other. Thus, one of the witnesses, Rosalie Boilieu, states,
on the 15th of November, that I spent a night with her three months
before that date, which brings us back exactly to the 15th of August^
Mid she farther states, that, on that night, I was drunk, having
come from a party. Her evidence is corroborated by that of Eliza
Cuniup^am; and to give a colour or wop to this evidence, Mr.
Biaice is made to declare, that, on or about the 15th of August, I
was met by him and his whole family, about thi^ee o'clock in the
afternoon, and that they all quickly pefceived that I was drunk.
How nicely is this evidence dovetailed ; how exactly and neatly do
au tae parts cuinciuv;
I iSi.1..
axe tiivj
'*mA
45
toeether, shewing all th«? marks of design, and wanting only that
higher art which conceals art. The evidence of Mr. Whitlaw »
made to apply to the same date very nearly; and the whole is so
palpable a device, that I m find no parallel worthy to match it,
unless that invisible net, wl tch the cunning hand of Vulcan wove,
in jealous mood, to ensnare wherewithal his fair but faithless goddess
and her celestial paramour. ^
All the leading facts and circumstances, interwoven with the
evidence of the principal witnesses against me— such as that of my
having been absent from my house a whole night, and that too
within a range of time not exceeding a few months, of havmg been
drunk, of having come from a party, of being generally drunk on
these occasions -are disproved by authorities, numerous, respect-
able, and consistent; are disproved by a chain of united evidence,
strong, conclusive, and lengthened, for it runs through the whole
of my life in Montreal, and can be strengthened almost mdetinitely
by additional evidence. The testimonies brought forward with a
view to fix these imputations on my moral character, it will be
observed, extend cly through the period of a few months, in the
summer of 1829; but the proofs of my habitual temperance and
regularity, while they apply to the period in question vnth more
peculiar force, extend through the whole course of my life— « lite
too, it is well known, so open and undisguised, that its good or its
evil cannot be hid ; nor is it easy to conceive one less exposed to
any suspicion of secret vice. That this life, abundantly open to the
eyes of the most incurious observers, exposed to the constant in-
spection of all my domestics, ushers, boarders, pupils, not to say ot
almost all my fellow-citizens, for I mingle freely in society, and,
without entangling myself in its pleasures or amusements, I do not
feel myseit withheld from a moderate participation of such enjoy-
ments-that such a life should not aiFord a more ample harvest ot
scandal, or better or mere trust-worthy evidence of such biemisheft
and frailties as are imputed to me, and that too, after an inquisition
prosecut c-d, first clndestinely and theh openly, in a spirit ot the
most active and persevering malignity, with so little dehcacy as to
the means and the instruments, with so much of espionage, and
with somewhat that looks exceeding like domestic treason or con-
spiracy, in my household, during the period in question— that an
inquision, I say, and I say it fearless of contradiction, instituted
and conducted in a spirit of Jesuitical cunning and Dominican
fierceness— into a life open as day, naked and palpable to all the
world- that it should have yielded so scanty a harvest of scandals
(for such, without aU controversy, are these rumours, searched out
in secret and gathered up and garnered in the dark 1) is in itselt a
presumption that our offences are, it not merely imagmary, at least
few in number and not very agprravated in their nature. This pre-
sumption might not unreasonably have occurred tp my inquisitors,
if thev had been actmted bv the smaUest infusion of candour, or
if —
46
symnatliy with the frailty and fallibility of human nature, " ignotr
cenaa ^uidemy tcirent si ignoscere manes" und if this feeling, in
such circumRtances, would naturally have sprung up in minds
touched with aught of candour or generosity, even had the evidence
been trust-worthy, or worn a rcattonable aspect of probability and
consistency ; how much more, when we reflect that it is of such a
nature and character, that it requires only common sense and
common honesty to read on the face of it, engraven in shining
characters, abaurdity and mendacity. The first and most formi-
dable charge has been abandoned by its reluctant authors and pro-
curers; suppressed in embryo ere it saw the light; and, whatever
has been produced, with any aspect of credibility or any respectable
testimony to support it, has been discredited notwithstanding, and
even toith tlioie wno were most willing to believe the ill rather than
the good—it was spurned with an " incredulus odi." But there
seems to have been nothing too hard to be believed and accredited
by my accusers, no rumour too absurd to be bandied about, no
witness too infamous to be brought forward, no testimonies so in-
consistent, improbable, or even self contradictory, as to be rejected
or suppressed by them. They sijted the evidence, but it was only
to retain the evil and to separate from its pure .malignancy all that
was calculated to dilute and mitigate. The accusing spirit and re- ,
cording angel of Stem's beautiful and sublime story of Le Fevre,
were never so strikingly contrasted as with our accusers and re-
corders of the Committee of Sessiop, But I thank them. Our
friends are oft prone to hide or to extenuate our faults ; like our
own vanity or self-love, they are too prone to flatter and to deceive
us into self-complacency. But I am beset with those, who, like
watchful and jedous guardians or spies on all my actions, even the '
mostsecret, areas inexorable to pity, to palliate, or to forbear, as they
are swift to accuse, as they are deaf to every plea offered in vindi-
cation. If I trijp in the least, if I even seem to deviate, if any part
of my conduct, if any word or "^action of mine, will admit of the
ppssioility of misconstruction or suspicion, there are those near at
hand, lurking in ambush or looking on, who will not fail to fasten
upon it, to spring like the tiger from his jungle; they will not fail
to mark, to magnify, and to proclaim my sin and shame to all the
world ; I know well that they wait and watch to betray me, if I give
them the least occasion against me, they will not fail to lay hold of
it ; " Their tender mercies are cruel." Innocence is my only suflS-
cient protection ; to avoid all appearance of evil, to fail in no duty,
and to fall into no sin can alone avail to defend me against such
enemies ; and nothing but the fear of punishment, or the mandate
of necessity, compels them to restrain their hands, their tongues,
their pens, from any violence or outrage against me. But rather
would I fall a victim to their malice and machinations, than be
animated with one particle of their spirit. " O ! my soul, come not
into their secret; unto thuir assembly, mine honour, be not thou
SC-3KI
47
united I " What seems our fi^eatest evil, is most frequently our
highest good. Such is the beautiful order, the beneficent lair of
dirine providence. They who thutt persecute and malign a brother,
with a view to his destruction, only strive for his benefit. They put
him on his giiard ; they prevent his errors by the certainty of detec-
tion vand punishment; they enforce upon him the constant necessity
of vigilance and circumspection ; they constrain him to fly from all
appearance of evil, and they wound and hurt only their ownselves ;
they may not profit by their own experience ; but there are that
will learn by their fate, that, if it were not a duty prescribed
by the divine law, it ought to be a rule of prudence and po-
licy, " to do unto others even as we would that they should do
unto us."
It<
NARRATIVE.
1 1
'I
f,
In order that the arbitrators may be enabled to form a just esti'
mate of the motives, which have instigated the principal actors, in
the proceedings now submitted to investigatior, it becomes necessary
for me to lay before them a short outline of the history of our
church, since the date of Mr. Black's arrival in Montreal. The
facts which form the subject of this part of my narrative, will be
verified by a copy of a statement, drawn up by Mr. Black himself,
on occasion of a controversy which arose between us, in the year
1827 ; and by other papers and documents connected with it, which
are herewith transmitted.* For the manner in which I received,
a!id the part I a'^ted towards Mr. Black, see his own statement at
the commencement.f 1 may be permitted to deny, what Mr. Black
seems to insinuate, that I have ever cancelled, by any part of my
conduct towards him, any obligations which, he owns, I conferred
upon him, at the period of his arrival. I feel warranted to say,
that J have added to and not detracted from these obligations, and
have ever been ready, when opportunity offered, to do him any
service in my power ; nor should I have adverted to any kindness
that I had done him, but for the purpose of vindicating myself from
his charge of having spoken of him in unbecoming and unwarrantable
terms, and of expmining the grounds of the unfavourable opinion
which I have formed and r.vowed of his conduct and proceedings;
which, assuredly, was not a little aggravated by this consideration,
believing, as I do, in the truthof that ancient maxim — " cum hominem
ingralum dixeris, omnia dixeris." It is a fact that, when Mr. Black
arrived here, in November, 1822, I had been voted { a permanent
salary of £300. currency, as one of the ministers of St. Gabriel
Street Church; that Mr. Black's call was agreed to by the Session
and myself, upon the express understanding, that the provision
mad< for him, was to arise, not from the stated funds of the church,
but from the subscriptions of those members, at whose earnest
solicitation, accompanied with the pledge that they would themst^lves
undertake the whole chaise of his support, the consent (n the
Session was given to Mr. Black's being admitted, as one of the
ministers of the church; and it is undeniable, that this was the
footing on which he agreed to accept the original call. I am war-
ranted to state it as a fact, (and I challeng«> Mr. Black to deny it)
that he never breathed to me his intention of claiming any part of
those funds, which were allotted for my pi-ovidion, until the period
wcc App«nu>:
\ see Appcnoix.
f etc xspi>cuuix.
49
•f hh ordination MTiTed; an^ it in important to remaric, as flrnlNAily
not unconnected witli Mr. Black's views, tKat aboat or a little before
ttiis jperiod, began those popular meetings and cabals, which havo
contmued ever since. It came to my knowledge, that he had been
in communication with them, prior to his ordinatioii ; certain 'it w
that popular excitement ran high. When, upon Uiu claim being
advanced,* I expostulated withhim, as he seems not to hare altogether
forgotten, with some bitterness of feeling and language, that he had
made an encroachment on my rights, which, I thought, after the
Eart I had acted towards him, extremely unhandsome ; he justified
imself, upon the plea, that this arrangement would be the meang
of preservmg harmony between us, and our respectire parties in
the congregation; and that, for his part, he wonid be contented wit^
what he now claimed (that h with one hai£ of the surplus rerenne
of the church, after paying Mr. Sommerville) even should it unounfe
to no more than £40. per annum ; I believe I am not the only per-
son, to whom Mr. Black expressed Uie same tenciments. By this
sacrifice which I made, I mu8t confess with great rdnctanoe, for I
was then, as Mr. Black well knew, on the eve of my marriage, I
conceived that I had cancelled all claims that could be urged by
Mr. Black, and it is manifest from his own language, that he viewed
it in the same light. In saying claims, I mean not to admit that
Mr. Black could have any manner of right, on the score of any
express stipulation or compact to claim from me any concession
whatsoever ; but I will grant, that, had I been secured in the per-
petual enjoyment of a salary of £300. per annum, and Mr. Blacky
peradventure, left in indigence or his allowance of £250 greatly re*
duced, there might hare been a moral obligation on me, as I had
taken a forward and active part in bringing him into the church, to
contribute out of my abundance to supply any deficiency of his ex-
pected salary. But I have po language sufficiently strong to express
my astonishment and disgust at the effrontery with which Mr. Black,
having first with base ingratitude thrust himself i> ny place mul
usurped one half of my provision, presumes, i all Jiis had bijen
nothing, as if this unexpected revolution, in thi; relative standinarof the
parties, did not a!tog^<'ther supersede and do away with all that pre-
ceded either in his stipulations with me or with the church, to advmine
a new claim, but why should we be sin prised that these grounuiess
and false allegations should be made it« regard to myself, when we find
this same self-interested interpretat a of those covenants with the
church, which, though obsolete and abrogated, having been superseded
by later stipulations, are still b Id binding in his own favour, and the
Committee threatened with a legal prosecution, after he had set his
seal to a covenant of more recent date, by which the former had been
snpenjeded.f This is indeed consistency ; but i^ it principle — is it
reason — is it honesty? It is important to keep in view, in judging
of Mr. Black's subsequent claims, that the conversations or com-
iSiee A|i|i«uuix.
t See Appendix.
50
numiiMtioiM with me, on which he pretends to ground them, were
all prior to this conclusive arrangement between us, which Mr.
lUack himself declared, at the time, would be perfectW satisfactory
to him, and would prevent the recurrence in future of complaint or
disturlMmoe. This, however, was unfortunately far from being the
case, for a new claim was advanced by Mr. Black's party, at a gener^
meting of the proprietors, held in the church, ewrl^ in the month
of January, 1827, and called in consequence of a letter from Mr.
Black, addressed *o the late Thomas Porteous, Eso. who then was
President of the Committee, of which Mr. M'Gill and Mr. Tait,
two particukr friends of Mr. Bkck's, were members, forming the
majority of the whole. At this meeting, it was stated by Mr.
Black's pMty»^ on information which they professed to have re-
ceived from him, and which, they alleged, would forthwith be
corroborated by the testimony of other witnesses, that I had come
under a private engagement to Mr. Black, to retire from the church
at the end of two years; and it was now moved accordingly, by
Dr. Stephenson, that the meeting should enforce the fulfilment of
this alleged engagement, by making over to Mr. Black, the whole
of the surplus revenue of the church. Being called upon to bring
forward evidence of this engagement, the late T. Porteous, then
President of the Committee, at whose instance this meeting had
been called, came forward to state, that he had heard me mention,
in conversation vnth Mr. Black, soon after his arrival in Montreal,
a project which I had formed, in coniunctibn with some other
gentlemeii, for the establishment of a college; and that if I sh* uld
obtain, as I expected, a professorship in said college, it was my
intention to retire from the church.* The absurdity of demanding
the fulfilment of a conditional promise, while the condition on which
it was grounded did not exist, requires no comment, and is sufficient
of itself to expose the deformity of the whole proceeding. Where
was the college? where my professorship? How do self love and
party spirit, blind and besot the minds of men and as it were bereave
them of their senses! It will be seen, from the correspondence,
that I was refused a copy of the evidence, given, on this occasion,
by Mr. Porteous and Mr. Mackenzie, though written statements of
that evidence were afterwards employed by Mr. Black, for obtaining
an ex parte opinion, from various gentlemen, on the subject of these
and other differences between him and myself; this conduct needs
no comment, and, I believe, will not easily find a parallel, except in
their subsequent proceeding8.t I have been told, nor do I discredit
the report, that Mi*. Mackenzie had declared he would swear, the
college alluded to was no other than the academy which had then
been recently established by Mr. Urquhart and myself. I pledge
myself to prove, on the other hai. j, by most unquestionable evidence,
that of Drs. Stepenson, Robertson, Caldwell, and Holmes, as well
as of the Rev. Mr. Urquhart, that the project of a college, which
* See Appendix.
f See Appendix.
51
Jin, were
hich Mr.
fcisfactory
iphdnt or
being the
agpeneral
he month
firom Mr.
then was
Mr. Tait,
rming the
1 by Mr.
have re-
Khwith be
had come
the church
lingly, by
Ifilment of
the whole
a to bring
eons, then
jeting had
e mention,
Montreal,
ome other
if I sluuld
it was my
demanding
n on which
is sufficient
r. Where
If love and
ere bereave
ispondence,
is occasion,
atements of
>r obtaining
ect of these
iduct needs
(1, except in
) I discredit
swear, the
ch had then
'. I pledge
)le evidence,
nes, as well
lege, which
^
wa« submitted in a memorial to Lord Dalhonsie, written by myself)
and subscribed by the above-named gentlemen,* was never carried
into effect; and that the present medical establishment was the mily
permanent good that arose of it. I have Loi'd Dalhousie's remark
upon the memorial, which we then presented to him, and which is
decisive of the question.f The conversations to which Mr. Black
alludes, as the gpround on which he and his party claimed my r»*
tirement from the church, took place prior to his ordination, and
consequently to that arrangement by which he was put in possession
of an equal provision with myself ; with which provision, he re-
peatedly declured that he would be satisfied, whatever might be its
amount. It is not difficult, therefore, to decide on the candour and
consistency of his conduct in the proceedings, on which I have now
commented. So completely were even Mr. Black's own partizans
at the meeting aforesaid, convinced of the utter failure of their
attempt to prove the alleged engagement, and, as their very leader.
Dr. Stepenson, has often, since that time, firanJdy confessed, of the
misrepresentation which had been employed, on the pact of Mr.
Black; that though, on that occasion, they formed a majority of the
meeting, and might consequently have carried any measure they
pleased, they were ashamed to persist in their design; Dr. Stephen-
son tore his motion on the spot and retired, and has frequently
expressed, in the strongest terms, that he had been misled by g^ss
and palpable misrepresentation. But, that no doubt may remain
of the spirit and character of this proceeding, it is only necessary
to compare it with a proposition, which emanated from the Com-
mittee, about a year before this date, ntunely, 1 0th of November,
1825.;]: This insidious and treacherous proposition originated, as I
understand, with Mr. Charles Tait, one of Mr. Black's most intimate
friends atfd zealous partizans, and who was then secretary to the
Committee, and had commuiucated the plan to Mr. Black for his
approbation. I had no difficulty to estimate, from the first moment
it came to my knowledge, the character and design of this extra-
ordinary and 'most indelicate proposal. It requirea no other
comment, than the proceeding's of the general meeting, which I have
just detailed, and which, I repeat, took place a year after. It pro-
poses that one of the clergymer shall retire; Mr. Black professed
his willingness to retire, if the congregation shottld approve of it.
That retirement, however, it is cunningly stated, ought not, on any
account, to exceed a period of two years; no mention, no hint, all
this while, of a promise, engagement, or compact, tiiat had been
made, on my side, to this effect. It was only when this stratagem
fiiiled, that something like force and violence were resorted to, and
a general meeting called to vote me out of all participation in the
funds of the church.
It is a striking feature in this intrigue, that it is proposed to decide,
firdt, which of the clergymen shall retire, and, after that, to settle
* See Appendix.
f See Appendix.
^ See Appendix.
52
m :>
JiM
trinkffimi shall bealiowed him npon hk rotirin|f« Qaery,* — Had 1
•oaseated to the propoflal, (md there can be no doubt, to those wh^
read atteBtirely the documents connected with the subject, that I
vas expected to be the retiring diergyman,) would it not have been
attemjrted to nullify any daim that I might have made to a pecu-
niary allowance, as well as to preducb my returning and resuming
my place at the end of two years, on t)ie very same pretexts that
were subsequently employed at the general meeting, to enforce my
inal and permancsit retirement from the church ? The committee
had for dieir president the late Mr. Porteous; Messrs. Tait Mid
M*6ill were mraabers, — all devoted to Mr. Black's interests. They
were, with good reason, fearful of the incidents which might occiir
at this general meeting ; for the plan was. concocted by them, and
Mr. Porteous and Mr. Mackenzie were the vntnesses on whose
evidence the whole was based ; and Mr. Tait, who had originated,
about twelve months before, the proposal that one of the clergymen
should retire, was still secretary of tne committee. It is important
here to remark, that Mr. Black,, in his letter to Mr. Porteous, in
eonsequence of which this general meeting was called, ui^es the
utter madequacy of the salary of £250 to support tbe dignity of a
clergyman; and he who had declared, in 182S, that he womd be
satimed with half the surplus revenue, should it amount to nomoree
than dt44>, per annuni, finds now, in 1827, that he cannot support
his dignity on less than the whole of that surplus, which could only
be appropriated to him, as he must have well known, by excluding
me ; aad yet, in his letter to me, on this occasion, he disowns all
intention of interfering with my interests I His expressions are
vemarkable.f It is curious, and not a little amumng, to remark the
gradual enlargement of Mr. Black's views and the successive and
eorresp
wards refused to turnish me with a copy. I do not wonder that
the basis of this plot was- carefully concealed from me, until the
Eeriod of its execution, i^ it would have been inevitably prevented,
ad I known the ground? '^^ been permitted to bring them to the
test of impartial scrutiir' ^'^ho can fail to read in all this a con-
spiracy, hatched by th< c < .*ittee, and from thence, by means of
popular pabals, communicated to the congregation ? Who can fail
to trace Mr. Black, as the author and object of the plot, which hi»
friends, instigated by him, matured, conducted, and combined all
their influence and strength to carry it into effect? This rioV- ,"
project, the offspring of fraud and foUy, fell to pieces befoi^ .y
band could toiH;h it, nay, before I was apprised of its existence ; it
perished in its birth, and fell dead-born from the hands of its friends
and authors.
From the date of the general meeting in 1827, down to the com-
mencement of the procedings now submitted to arbitration, it will
be seen how little repose Mr. Black indulged to himself or to other8.f
Having expressed my sentiments very frankly on Mr. Black's eon- ,
duct, and on the proceedings of his party^ a correspondence com-
menced between us, which terminated m a reference of all differences
to the decision of Dr. Harkness. The result of this was perfectly
satisfiictory to me, as Dr. Harkness, without pretending in the first
instance to give a deciflion, (I conceive out of delicacy to Mr.
Black,^ actually determined (so it seemed to me) in my favour, all
the pomts on which the proposition in my statement was grounded :
See A|^ndix.
f See Appendix.
54
namely, that Mr. Black's conduct, in the proceedings referred to,
« was not fair, manly, or honourable." In this view I am borne out
by the authority r<( Dr. Harkness himself, in a subsequent letter of
5th December, 1827, although I did not thing it worth while to com-
municate this information to Mr. Black, as our correspondence had
Ereviously ceased, and I felt no inclination to revive it. I have
eard Mr. Black, on several occasions since that time, repeat his
conviction that Dr. Harkness had not ^ven a decision. I could
have spoiled his triumph by producing the Doctor's letters ; but it
was only a thing to smile at. Mi*. Black thought proper to submit,
without my knowledge r concurrence, the papers on both sides of
the controversy to the jf:dgment of the. Rev. Messrs. Bethune and
Stephens, and the Rev. Mr. Mackenzie of Williamstown, and Mr.
Henderson of Argenteuil. On this proceeding I have made some
remarks • in the correspondence, a-
m
I'll
__jmottey, dhauki be refunded by Mr. BtAck^^ooii w be bad
mfnuid, to which he |rfodg«4-]uiaaei£ Inadditkio to these civil and
internal wars, the arbitrators will not lorm a perfect estimate of dm
Mngular ii^elicity of our church, uiUess they take into account also
our external broils, the first, between Mr. Black Mid Mr. Bums, only
less notorious and dii^racefttl in its character than the present, and
some short but fiery skirmishes with Mr. Mathteson, for which we
were equally indebted to the same spirit and genius of nay confrere.
Quiet, to quick bosoms is a hell; and as fire is the native element
of the salamander, so strife and contention seem to be necessary
to the existence of Mr. Black — the element in which he lives, and
moves, wad has his being. It is pity that what is sport or life
to him should be death to us. About the 24th day of Jiuaef
1887, Mr. Bkek addressed a letter to John Fisher, Esq. Pre-
sident of the Committee, of which the spirit and tenor will be
found in perfect unison with his previous conduct and proceedings.
It is impossible not to remark, in reviewing Mr. Black's conduct
throughout these proceedings, that the object of all these plots and
agitations was to obtain an increase of salary. For this purpose
popular meetings were held privately at the houses of Mr. Black's
friends and partizans; these po', ular meetings began from the period
of Mr. Black's arrival at Montreal ; they have continued up to this
date ; the avowed object for which they have been held, has been
to serve Mr. Black's particular interests, and to co-operate with him
for the attainment of ends, which he openly avowed or unwittingly
betrayed. TTiat these meetings were composed of persons, who
were notoriously his partiaans, and for the purposes, uniformly, of
securing to him an increase of salary, or otherwise promoting his
temporal interests, is an unquestionable &ct. That he connived
at such meetings is enough, m my mind, to convict him of being
favourable to their object, and consequently of being accessary to
all the violence and party spirit which they have unhappily en-
gendered ; and which I hesitate not to pronounce the prime source
of all the evils, which were unknown prior to Mr. Black's arrival,
but which have never ceased, since that time, to afflict and to agitate
our church.* I can truly aver that I never called a meeting of my
friends, nor gave countenance to any proceedings calculated to enn
gender or foment party spirit; at the same time, I was placed in
circumstances no less unfavourable than those of which he so loudly
and incessantly complains ; I was no less dependent, I no less needed
than Mr. Black an increase of salary; anl, if I did not com-
Elain and would not accept of any subscriptions, set on foot at
is instance and for his sake, it was not because I could not ui«e,
on my side, the plea of equal or even greater necessity. How did
I treat Mr. Black all this while? He was like the senior clergyman
of the church, and I the junior. The Registers were constantly in
his possession; if duties co-incident occurred to both, he always
* Sue Freiimiiuiry ueuuiriu vu ilM C1iMi-Ke», v>i%v
57
reserved to himself, without apolo^, the possession of the Re-
gisters. I challenge him to say that ever I shewed any jealousy,
manifested any spirit of competition or rivalry, or strove to interpose
hetween him and the active duties which he shewed so strong a
desire to engross. I am bold to say that, after Mr. Black claimed
and got possession of equal provision with myself, I would have
been perfectly justified, from that moment, in using all my en-
deavours to maintain and extend to the uttermost my influence in
the church ; and I have no doubt I am justified in adding, that
there was more of good nature than discretion in yielding, as I did,
to Mr. Black's encroachments, of which it requii-ed no extraordinary
discernment to perceive the ultimate dk-ift. With this praliminary
view of the previous history of the church, Lproceed to take up the
subject of the present arbitration, in which the same persons will
appear t^^ain upon the stage, acting under the same auspices, and
pursuing obviously the same ends. The prominent leaders and
actors in the preceeding scenes, as will appear from the papers and
documents herewith transmitted, were Mr. Portcous; Mr. Mackenzie,
Mr. Tait, Mr. Carsuell, and Mr. M'Gill, and even the inferior
dramatis personce will be found to consist, with very few exceptions,
ot the same individuals as had acted upon the same side in former
iicenes. In order that the arbitrators may La enabled to perceive
more clearly the nature and to embrace more fully the whole extent
of the proceedings on which I -am nov/ to comment, I shall pre-
sent them to their view as a Drama, divided, into five suc-
cessive acts. Let me not be charged with a lack of that gravity
which beseems the occasion, when 1 thus represent the case. This
division is no fantastic imagination, as the sequel will evince. It is
perfectly natural and conformable to truth and fact. It was a plot,
a conspiracy, systematically conducted. It possesses a perfect unity,
and though the means and meas'ires pursued may vary, they all
tend and conspire to one and the same end. In the first of these
acts, Mr. Black comes forward in the guise of a friend, tenderly
solicitous for my reputation, and, as a Christian minister, piously
watchful for the interests of religion and the church; but betraying
at the same time, even in these his first movements, the most un-
equivocal symptoms of something even worse than hollowness and
insincerity.* The Second will exhibit him in a bolder character,
foming forward, under the veil of self-vindication, (a veil now
waxing so thin and transparent, as scarcely half to disguise his real
designs) to institute an inquiry into my conduct, under the auspices
and authority of the Session.* In the third act, we shall see him
and his partisans, boldly and avowedly active in mustering all the
members of the congregation to unite with them in the pious design
of ejecting me from the church by physical force.* Defeated in
this open war, they resort again, in act fourth, to the weapons most
familiar to their hands, stratagem and covert guile, A combination
See printed Minutes «f the Cuiutuillee of Session.
I
58
m
ia formed in the Session, in violation of their ordination vows, to
depose me from my ministry, by tying up my hands and precluding
me from the free exercise of my functions as their pastor.* In the
fifth act, we shall see this Rev. gentleman and his allied co-pres-
byters, placing themselves at the head of a mob and a riot, on the
Lord's day, and thus bringing their plot to a catastrophe or denoue-
ment, altogether befitting the spirit which prompted them, and the
end which they pursued. i. j j
In order that the arbitrators may be enabled to comprehend and
sympathize with the feelings of suspicion and distrust with which
I regarded Mr. Black, even in his first movements, it will be
necessary for them to keep in view the impressions made on my
mind by his former proceedings. In his letter of the 3 1st of August,
he assumes the character of a tenderly aflFectionatf! brother, and of a
pious minister, and could I have forgotten what Mr. Black had
been and what he had done, in times past, I might naturally have
given him full credit for sincerity.f This letter opens with the
memorable words—" Since my return from Quebec, rumours most
unfavourable to your character aa a clergyman, have reached my
ears, and my first determination unquestionably was to take n»
notice of them." The writer of these lines had exprt jsed his deter-
mination, in the beginning of July, about two months prior to this
date, if he could find any thing tangible, in these rumours, to take
up the matter. This is fully established by the joint evidence ot
Mr. Oglevy and Mr. Carmichael ; corroborated, subsequently, m
Mr. Blacks own statement to the CJommittee on my
August,
and of a
ack had
dly have
with the
urs most
chad my
take nO)
tiis deter-
»r to this
B, to take
idence cf
lently, in
and AiUy
>r. Lee, a
,nd which
ideed the
iford the
i his real
contained
r, are the
^ believe,
auld have
t, that he
ghout the
unications
amely, my
meddling,
tood aloof,
indest and
while, and
ill be very
d examine
No. 20.
the evidence,* regarding Mr. Black's conduct, pnor tc the Sessional ^
Inquiry, that he was secretly anxious t« favour the spread ot the
fama clainosa, that he did, though indirectly not the less effectuffily,
contribute to give it currency by innuendos, msinuations, por-
tentous exclamations, &c.\ But notwithstanding aU this, the Jama
clamosa became dumb, and must perversely expired, and with many
better things, it would have been finally consigned to the grave ot
perpetual oblivion, if some expedient had not been devised to revive
It. Mr. Blju;k, whose motto seems to he—"Aut viam mvenutm aut
faciam" having prepared himself by a previous clandestine mqui^,
contrived to republish and reproclaim the rumours, through the
medium of a Sessional Inquisition. Two remarks here present
themselves on Mr. Black's conduct; that he was silent upon the
subject of these rumour^, onlyuntil they were generally propagated
throughout the community ; and came forward to communicate them
to me, at a time, when it was difficult if not impossible to repair the
mischief, which it is evident, from his own statement,^ he might
have easily prevented. I challenge him to render even a shadow
of a plausible reason, for not having come to communicate tome
such alarming intelligence the instant he heard it from Mr. Howden,
especially as he did not ^hoUy discredit it, and, as he himself states,
it was communicated to him, with a view that he, whose duty it
especially was conceived to be, should put me on my guard. Uut
not only is Mr. Black chargeable with having been accessary, in the
first instahce, to the propagation of the rumours, by haymg with-
held from me the information, which was given to liini tor the ex-
press purpose of being communicated to me; but is also wholly
chargeable with aU the mischiefs which have sprung from their
revival, which was occaaioned, as he himself htvs admitted, by
the Sessional Inquiry which he instituted. His conduct, m this
instance alone, belies his former professions of regard tor my
character, for the welfare of the congregation, or the interests ot
religion in general. In fine, as it wa« in Mr. Blacks power to
have suppressed the/a»ia clamosa in its first stage, by communicating
with me, so I conceive it will be difficult, if not impossible for him
to iustifyhis subsequent conduct, in reviving it without giving me
any previous warning or intimation, that so I might have evinced
the Jrroundlesness of those allegations, on which his inquiry was
instituted. Had Mr. Black been candid, had he been disposed to
act a fair and honest part, he must have paused when I challenged
him to produce the grounds of his inquiry, and must have acquiesced
in the reasonableness of my claim to be permitted to expose the
futility of the grounds on which they proceeded. 'I hat this was
not an idle profession, on my part, it will be easy for me to esteblish
by the clearest evidence. No sooner had I received Mr. Black s
letter of the 31st of August, than I proceeded with all d;ligence to
trace the Jama, beginning with the authority to which he referred
Sfi(! ]>ag(! 23<
f See Appendix.
60
»e '" n * *"*'*■ ^^ ^^^ ^'^^ °^ September, namely, Mr. Ferguson ;
and following it closely through a series of persons, successively
named as the witnesses of my guilt.* In every instant* we traced
these reports to their source, and in every instance we obtained
decisive confutation of them ; and as this investigation was con-
ducted by gentlemen, whose veracity and honour are unquestionable,
the truth of my statements, in this important part of the proceedings,
is capable of being verified in the most satisfactory manner, should
***y .^po^t.be started, or any imputation thrown out as to their
credibility. In the statement, which was read by me at the meeting
of the members of Session, held, in church, on the 29th December,
1829, immediately after the close of the Sessional Inquiry, I pro-
duced such evidence and afforded such explanations, in reference to
their charges, as ought (had there been any fairness or honesty in
their mtentions) to have suspended all further proceedings, until,
at least, they could have produced evidence more specific in its
nature, and supported by more credible witnesses.f
But a question may naturally enough arise horo, how could Mr.
Black raise and propagate such afama, and create such excitement?
1 will ask, how /could he create, on former occasions, a general
excitement throughout the congregation ?% did not this spring from
*"® »ara» party spirit, which was introduced with hiin, and of which
he has been, as I conceive, the author, as well as the object? This
party spirit has proved to tke rumours in question, what the con-
ducting rod is to the lightning. When I consider the tendency of
those popular meetings, which, as I have already stated, have been
frequent since Mr. Black's connection with the cJburch, and which
were utterly unknown before that period, I cease to wonder at the
power which he possesses. I do not speak without evidence, I
think demonstrative of the tnith of what I state. From the first
day that Mr. Black entered the church, whenever he has made a
move to obtain an increase of salary, or, in any other way to pro-
mote his views or interests, a simultaneous movement hvs been
observed to be made by his partizans, and private meetings held to
co-operate with him. To these meetings, it were easy to trace all
those violent and outrageous scenes, which have agitated and dis-
graced our church, and the same persons will be found acting a pai-t,
in every successive movement that has been made, with a view to
produce the desired revolutions ; I have no hesitation to aflirm, that
the rumours, which gave rise to the proceedings now submitted to
arbitration, have been chiefly circulated by and among those who
are the known partizans of Mr. Black, and that to this party spirit,
the fama clamosa is chiefly indebted for its spread and prevalence.
Perhaps this party spirit has operated in a manner still more mis-
chievously effective, by precluding the possibility of pmting any
stop to it, as those who have thus supported and abetted it, have ,
denied ii heai-ing to me; have absented themselves from all meetings 'f^
See Aj)|iuiidix.
f See Appendix.
\ See page
ei
and occMions, when I cu.ne forward to rebnt the charges agftinst
me; and. while they have turned a deaf ear to ay exculpatory
evidence, adduced on my side, have been prompt only to hear,
to believe, and to propagate the rumours against me. In hue, the
whole of Mr. Black'9 party have kept aloof from me, and though
invited bv me, in a manner that should have mfluenced them, hail
they been candid, they never came nigh me, to hear my explana-
tions, or to listen to my evidence. What is party spirit .f tK.s be
not ? At this rate, a/«m« clamosa would be everla«tmg and mter-
minable, since it is a manifest impossibility to ^o"^'"*^ *^«f ,™
will not hear, or to remove impressions from the «'"«»«* *^"!«
who shut their ears against information and evidence. I had little
cause to wonder at the conduct of the mfenor partizans, when I
consider the example that was set them by those whom they looked
up to as their guides. The clearest and most decisive confutation
of the evidence against me, and such I certainly gave before the
Session, in regard at least to some part ol the charges, failed to
produce any elect or impression whatever It certainly produced
no mitigation of their stern and inexorable resoluti i inch's pre-
tended statement of facts in the libel, nor ca' atiy cir* mstailce
more strongly betray his consciousness that thi ; c vn^^ rj >lied to
him, than his thus omitting to take any notice of it n. '^aki n* . tement,
although it formed the ground work and the cap i t j^ic of the
conversation which he professes to record.* Nor is tuis all; it forms
another example of that partial and insidious statement of ^ts,
which completely alters or discolours the whole complexion and
spirit of a narrative. How strikingly the present instance exem-
plifies this, the arbitrators will perceive, by marking how different
a figure I make, according as this, the opening topic of our conver-
sation, is omitted or not. Omit this, and just as Mr. Black has
represented me, I appear most abruptly, most unwarrantably, and,
considering the tenor and temper of his previous communications,
with a most ungrateful rudeness to turn round upon my kind friend
and benefactor, upbraiding when I ought to have thanked him,
and assailing him with accusations and reproaches, instead of
affording him explanations in my own justification — in a word, re-
turning for good, evil; and for kindness and courtesy, injury and
insult. Mark now what a different aspect the whole will assume,
according to my representation, and I dare Mr. Black to deny that
it is the true one. None, who know me, will believe me capable
of so gross and unreasonable a violation of gratitude and good
manners, as this most wanton misrepresentation imputes to me. I
opened this conversation by expressing my thanks to Mr. Black
for the important and friendly communication I had so recently
*
64
received from him. I then communicated to him the report which
I had heard, and I leave the arbitrators to judge whether, if I had
received from Mr. Black a satisfactory explanation or contradiction
of the rumour, it is likely I would have run on in the strain which
he records, or, that he would have listened in patience to the
lecture, which I then and there administered to him. Self; convicted
as he stood before me, in a state of confoaion and embarrassment,
he felt, I am certain, that I penet^'ated at that moment into his
secret soul, aud I doubt not that those, who were witnesses of his
demeanor, on the few occasions he subsequently had to encounter
me face to face, will perfectly comprehend the force of that in-
voluntary evidence, which his appearance and behaviour afforded,
at this moment, of conscious guilt. In terms the i.iost gentle and
courteous, I expressed to him my surprise that he shoald speak and
act in such a manner, in reference to the rumours, -is could not fail,
especially with persons of such a description as tht chmch beadle,
and the Messrs. Fergusons, to produce very strange impressions, and
to give weight even to rumours the most ridiculous ami contemptible,
(and such, I added, were those reported to him, and subsequently
to myself by Mr. Ferguson on which his letters to me professed to
be grounded.) Was I not warranted to add, ih&i he and I, and
men wiser and better far than either of us, were liable to be assailed,
by that vulgar calumny, which only the most credulous ear would
listen to; and that such rumours, unless they assumed some aspect
and form o{ probability, were best met and confuted by silent
contempt, and could only become formidable by such acts and ex-
pressions, as those of which I now complained on the part of my Rev.
brother. I put the case to Mr. Black, what would be the conse-
quence, were I to act a similar part with regard to such idle rumours,
as had been circulated or whispered with regard to himself; were I
to betray symptoms of strong emotion, of surprise, grief, astonish-
ment, such as he admitted he had inadvertently exhibited, in
presence of the church beadle, and which, surely, if sincere, were
somewhat overstrained, and rather out of proportion to any
measure of credibility, that could be attached to them. I went on
to state, that, if any teacher in the Sunday school, or any member
of the congregation of no higher standing or respectability than
David and Archibald Ferguson, coopers, had come to me to offer
their resignation, or to presume to obtrude their opinion upon their
pastor, as to what might be his duty, or the duty of the Session, I
should blush to meet my colkague with the report, that I had
treated such a piece of gross impudence but with scorn and con-
tempt. Such was the tenor of this coi. versation, and I will bo
glad to learn from Mr. Black, how he can reconcile these ominous
expressions and amo-.yuities, both of laiguage and of conduct, which
he discovered, at this early period, with the supposition of his own
sincerity and fair dealing. I will take Mr. Black and his trusty
beadle, unOn their own showing, and I will ask whether there could
be any ground of doubt u-. to the cause of Mr. Bilk's extraordinary
65
have not the lea.t^u!\Ztter^1^'t^r^ '
as weU as a perfect gympathv, betwwnT«f« ?!^ undewtanding
the church, upon the dVS n!!.TS? *^*^ V^** f**"*'/ «*««" o£
remark thkt Kr/eE:" r^^S^VeiLM^MrBr?" *"
altogether a piece of actino- i«t «ZT ^'o"®" by Mr. Black, was
feigned, weU acted. 8uEe^i»f?r' "***^»*^«tan*«««r aU Aig weU
1830 R..V#K:a ; ^ n. ^' darkness, in the month of Mav
must have predetermine wfth Lraself and *Jwni^^^
I evidence, ^ust have settled wiih a few "t^^^^^ 'T^T '^*
U.d confidents, to conceal fromthe' Wlld^ofteCo^^^^
if he could not expunge from his own memorvJl #!.«■: ."^
t.ons, «^, and «rLoL, which he had, XS^ ^th Aj^To^r*
a profomid aid mvstSo^g «^;f T^^' 7*"° ''^ both observed
■ "" '"" "osJ^ep^ou" violence of a tempestuous /am cAi-
• See Append! z.
K
i i
66
a doubt that such was Mr. f 1»J»'« «"^"7 t.„ ^ad ever known or
to forget, at least appear to *«'-g«*' ^^^^^
heard aught, previom to hi« '^t^/'l^f^J™ ^ S'^^^^^^^ ^^^«^ """^
«cene of well feigned surprise «^Xf before the eye« of the door
exhibited, with m\dramattc effec, ^^or*^^^ ey ^^ ^^.^
keeper, on f;«^^|' f ^^tth'tXt of -t^]"^ -" '
came upon Mr. Black, like ine iia»u e aiHieHon and awm^e
paint more vividly, if we ™Xla7le ^ wh^Jsr^W^^ that Mi-.
Black never mentioned my name all t"^® .^/^^V^,* L^- previously
Sv^the fullest credit, for the drama which^WFej ^
fitted on the stage of our ^""day f »ioo i Jf ^^
beadle, as well as of the teachers and ct^^d'-^X^ ^n admirable
preparation for the present V«^^fV^\Zt\^l Soon after this,
Ly to unlock all the mystery ^^^f.^^^^ took Mr. Leslie with
when I received the letter of Mary M'^^^f conversation with her.
me to be a witness of my^?terview and conv^^^^^^^^^^
In answer to her letter I adv«ed her, ™ ^^^^^^^^ aught,
a prosecution against the fir«t.person ^J« ««^^^^^^ ,he was in my
rejecting «P««>r ^^^iT 1^ Zut n^v^Sv, to afford her every
service, amf added that I f "^ ^ fed it m^^^^ to ^^
assistance in ™y P^^^ ^'^Vi^P'^^^f that she understood that
she had mentioned, in her letter to ™«' i^'Tr^^^^^
the Rev. Mr. Black wUhed to see her c^^^^^^^^ ^^^^. ,^,
we naturally inquired on ^*^a*/V*^V"*J ,*^Lr that the Rev. Mi.
informed us'that Mr Curry h«d «igmfied to ^^ tha^^ tii ^^ ^^_
Black had expressed a desire, -^^"'^^J^^rf^^^^^^^^ even then
amine her upon tVi\'-\l'^3cSrher Tha^cter as well
seemed to have reached his ears, ''^^I'^'^'^^J^^ in that or some
as mine ; and she stated «-f f ^y/^f^?* ^Jj mT. C^^^^^^ intimated
other conference, r.^^«^,^« ^'f Jjf^^i^VeW.^^^ my«elf properly ;
his belief or susp con, that I ^'^ "^^^S ^^ Aforesaid, ani I
this was told me in the presence of Mr. ^e^l^e J ^ ^^ ^^^
deem the authority sufficient to .^Xeniuced against me, I can-
as the testimony of this witneHS 'T ^ffbe i^ ti^Udated, merely
, not conceive any reason why ^^^^^^^^X^ nor can I acquiesce
because it is pointed a^amst my «'„«^; f T'^J' . J.hed to me, for
patiently, in having *»•« «t.gma of tohood at^a. hed ^^ ^^. ^^
LvingFoduced on my side *^f«;f^^'i/held responsible only
had been adduced against me.J bince I can ne ue i
i
See printed Papers, No. 65
\ See printed Papers, No. 60.
f See Appendix.
67
he heard
jntly pro-
lours, be
ri^inating
the know-
i entertain
I, namely,
known or
1 mark the
which was
•f the door
hat all this
kothing can '
and amaze
nt that Mr.
iiBposed to
previously
eyes of the
m excellent
a admirable
a after this,
. Leslie with
n with her.
commence
aated aught,
he was in my
vd her every
aracter. As
lerstood that
the rumours,
ted this; she
the Rev. Mi.
ii time, to ex-
,ch even then
racter as well
that or some
ry, intimated
lelf properly ;
oresaid, and I
its truth ; and
inst me, I can-
dated, merely
san I acquiesce
ed to me, tor
1 it was, which
esponsible only
ppeudix.
for the accuracy and correctness, with which I have reported the
t^timonv, and not for the veracity of the witness, this charge of
falsehood faait, I thmk, somewhat gratuitously been hurled against
my head, first by Mr. Black, who, at the meeting of Session, on
the 29th of December, iSi9, when I read this part of my state-
ment, with all due solemnity rose up and pronounced it fafse j and
agam at the memorable meeting of the I6th day of February, 1830,
he reproduced the same charge, enforcing it by an affidavit of Mr.
Ciury, who pronounced what I had said on that subject false, imi-
tatmg the courtesy and respect, with which the church beadle has
treated me m asimUar case.* I remember, on this occasion, havinir
asked Mr. Curry, whether he himself had been present, or heard
what I said m reference to the testimony of M. M'lntyre • he
admitted he had not, and I observe that they have had so much
deference for truth, as to qualify this part of the affidavit, in which
the witness was made to s^ear to the falsehood of words, which he
did not and could not know but by hearsay, no very safe ground
either of swearing or of judging.f It is important to remark, though
not connected immediately with the present topic, that these
affidavits of the door keeper and Mr. Curry, appear to have been
transmitted to Dr. Lee, not only without any copies of them being
communicated to me, but absolutely without my knowledge, and I
httle wonder, therefore, at their shyness in communicating to me
this inemonal, with the consciousness, which they could not but feel,
that It would lead to the inevitable exposure of this their most
shameful conduct. This kind of logic, \j which the falsebood of a
witness, real or presumed, is transferred to the person who takes or
reports that evidence, is, if not sound, at least well adapted to the
purposes of slander; but, like all weapons of the same kind, is ex-
tremely apt to recoil on the heads of those who use it, and the
burthen of guilt, with which I charge my accusers, would receive a
right formidable augmentation, were we to add to it the imputed
falsehood of their witnesses. But to return, when Mr. Black had
pronounced the falsehood of this testimony, in a manner so decided,
Mr, Leslie and I felt it our bounden duty to repeat our visit to
Miss MIntyre, and subject her to a fresh examination on this point.
Accordingly when we waited upon her, she re-affirmed, in the pre-
sence of my elder, Mr. Leslie, and myself, (a very near approxima-
tion. It must be allowed, to a Session) the truth of her former
statement. Now Mr. Black may choose either horn of this dilemma :
It he hM spoken truth, this girl has solemnly averred, in the pre-
sence aforesaid, on two several occasions, a slanderous falsehood
against Mr. Black's character; what will Mr. Black now say of her
delectable testimony in my case, and still n»ore of other testimonies
resting on authority far below that of M. MIntyre. If, however,
she speaks the truth (and 1 must own that there is no extraordinary
improbability, in the substance of her testimony, to discredit it,
* See printed Papers, No. 65. f See No. 65, towaids the end.
eg
as it accoidg not ill with other parte of his p;-6ceediiigB) what be-
ecially of
iriend and
, however
m guile.:|:
y of Mr.
tlr. Black,
e previous
squired in
» let him
ut to wait
s, and we
him, in a
t day. So
isual ques-
communi-
le out yet ?
Well, that
11 my only
when I re-
manner of
ing, not to
re had seen
nber, 1829,
friends re-
izie, James
J men, who
tiun to say,
y^, and ren-
unendix.
dered it impossible for me to commit.to them aught pertaining either
to my character or interests. I could not consent to regard them in
any other light, than that of my accusers, as I knew them to be Mr,
Black's partizans, and con8e(|uentIy my cidversaries. ' To such men,
I conld not with confidence commit what, in other circumstances,
it might have been very advisable to have done, namely, the task of
inquiring into the grounds and occasiom* of the alleged ^ma. Hie
very pretence on which Mr. Black alleges that he instituted the'
inquiry, t. e. my having imputed to him the propagation of the ^ma,
ought, in all reason and consistency, to have withheld him from
taking any part in such inquiry, inasmuch as he was a party, as well
as myself, and it was as absurd, as it was unbecoming in him to sit as
president of a meeting, which professed to inquire into a matter in-
volving his character an well as mine ; and yet he is not ashamed to
impute blame to me, because I would not submit to his and their
usurped authority.* Had I, indeed, believed them to be free from
party spirit, impartial, arid imbiassed ; could I have supposed, ' rledge of f; 'en the
grounds of ike inquiry ; how would you, Mr. Armom, like such
treatment, were you made the subject of it ? I added, t)iat tins
was no more t'law a just representati^tn of the luiwarrantuLle tnd
preposterous! ? roeedure, which they iontemplated to adopt in 5 ay
case; and it was in itnt-f v Uculatoil to destroy all confideiue,
shewing, but too plainly, 'hM t' ert' was no f»u nor honourable
int«ntion, on the part of my ivaixmet : This at ytimentum ad hominem,
Mr. Armour did not, and I »f:v xfiM asisured could not answer^ and
his persisting; notwithstnndiiK, r -he cvarse which I reprobated,
left no doiibt in my mini, luu« iie wati imbued with the spirit of
party, no less than his eopre'-bytei-s. The reason of my having
«tpecmed two particular tribunals, was to meet a very plausible
J^jection, on the part of Mr. Porteous, who, in answer to my
piotest against the (ompetent-y of the Session, stated, that we
wers^ at the distance of three thousand miles froni the parent
churc N and that she could not exercise any jurisdiction' over us;
that the f« was no other course left, therefore, biit for the Session to
act as a Presbytery; and Mr. Black supported the reasoning of Mr.
Porteous, by stating, that a Presbytery in Scotland could not call
witnesses belore them from such a distance, nor exercise jurisdic-
tion out of their own bounds, and that therefore an appeal to such
a tribunal was a mere evasion. I remarked, that I had been
ordainfd to this church by a Presbytery, and though they might
not have actual jurisdiction, I should hold myself bound to submit
to their opinion, no "ess than if I were directly subject to their
jurisdiction, f hat it M'as quite competent for any members of the
Session, or of the church , to prefer accusations against me, and that
these accusations, aft^r an Impartial investigation, could be trans-
mitted for the judgmt:it cf any tribunal of the pwent church, and
that their opinion woul 1 with me be equivalent to a Sentence ; and
that there were two tribunals at least, that M'ould feel sufficiently
interested in the present case, to favour us with their bust advice
i
71
and a«8«tance, namely, the PreBbytery of Aberdeen, by wh^h I w«
ordained, and the Committee of the G«««![^Aj9mbly, of w^^^^^
Dr. Lee is covener. Mr. Leslie then remw-ked, that, »« *h« P™
case, Mr. Bla«k would act the part at once of accmier, ^"^e* !«^J»^'
a circumstance, in his view, "ot^^^y compatible with impaitm^^^^
either in the investigation of truth, o^H'^'",™''* Z^K^vtlnNS
Mr. Black observea in reply-, that he had known Pre^^y^J^
that had acted thus, in the double capacity of «»^«" *?f ^TC '
wher.rpon Mr. Leslie asked him, "had they, as Y?^ »«;«;" *^
nreseut case, a palpable interest m the condemnaticm o^ »";« ^
Led?' Mr! si Was silent. I '«?!:«' "«^ jj** ^/^i^tTe^seJ
the 8..l.»t*..ice of my sentiments, ^^ch were thus freely expressed
..t tb; aemorable meeting, in my protest; '^'Y^'^llZTJ^A
the .4.0., and on the spur of the moment,^ and »«*«ef ^» «^S^
the kingenuousness and misrepresentation, which have been
practised in the construction of it by my accusers.* I Ija^ed from
Lm with a declaration, that thougt I could not -^f^^l'^^^^:
my judges, or even as a proper court of inqmy, «»"/« ^° ^/^Ji^
rn'd imjartial inqairy, those who nstituted J^d «onduc^ed rt, ou^ht
to he fiee from il bias and susp cion of partiality ; t^* y«*;^\™y
accusers, I should always be ready to mee* fern »" ^^Xi^ble to
was fair and manly ; and that, though I did not ««« ^^f/"*^^ *^
take mv seat, or to sanction their proceedmgs by my presence, i
Xuineeltt my duty to vindicate thyself against their accusations
so soon as they^shoufd be produced to ™«/Xm ^J^^nv ^J .J
repeatedly declared my readiness to meet f^f'^JHHJ^J ^
coLe that was fair or manly, and I appeal ^o .^"« J^^^^f "J
subsequent conduct and correspondence, m *^"fir **'^" a ^ th
truth of what I now state. Whether my accusers have acted with
equal candour and fairness, is a question to be decided, rather by
their acts and proceedings thaii their prof«S8ion8.t
The arbitrators wiU not faU, I hope, to avad tte««el^« °* *^«
light which the different parts of the proceedings or ^^^J'fj^J
accusers throw on each other, and to compare t»^«"; P^-^^Jf^^j;*,^
those genuine and indubitable tests of truth, their acts I^ Y ?X ff
a loss to decide, as to the sincerity or insincerity of the m«J«"^ ?J
this famous committee, in the month of I>e««™»^«/' 1^29, J^^ *? T^
protest of the 15th of April, 1831, subscribed by three ot their
Tumber, an^ you wiU ther'e read, in the most -disg-sed^ an^^^^^
what they hold to be the power of a Session, and howfar th^^^
purposed to be guided by the law and authority of the proper
fudTcatories of oSr churc^t In their attemot to ^^^^^^^^^
proprietors their rights, and to w n to themselves by a ^tjatagem
the power of caUing general meetings of members, they Oftray un
ctsSythTirrfaf views; and, if «- ^ f M« J^J^^'^f^^
actual assmnption not only of the power, but f «^ .^^/J'^" ^ Jj^
right of the Session, to shut against the minister the doors ot the
. . See Appendix. f See Appendix. J See printed Fcpen, ««. 150.
m
72
eharnh, Imtos as at no loss what opinion is to be formed of their sin'
cjenty and honesty, in their professions of reverence and ohedience Uy
the law of our church.* A Session, uniting in itself aU the powers of
Fresbytenes and Synods, independent, until it shall decfcre itself
otherwise, of the general assembly, and vested with the rights of the
temporal proprietors, in addition to the extraordinary powers spiritual
and ecclesiastical, which they had thup arrogated, would be without a
paraUel— no court of high commission or star chamber ever equalled
It. Do you suspect me of exaggeration in this view of their ^Uims,
m this interpretation of their principles ? Look at their acts, they
far exceed even their claims, with all their exorbitancy I When it
18 considered how formidable a Judicatory they would have been,
with all these various powers, which they assumed, concentrated in
their body, it need not be a subject of marvel, that I was somewhat
shy of admitting their jurisdiction over me; for this reason it will
be remarked, that I uniformly have declined to call meetings of
Session, to constitute a Session, or to recognize the Sessions con-
stituted, on these occasions, by Mr. Black. Persuaded that they
wanted nothing so much as some recognition of their authority and
jurisdiction over me, I resolved to hold them strictly to the footing
of accusers, and to preclude all possibility of their assuming a
warrant to act as my judges, on the ground of any implied or alleged
consent or submission on my part; for if I had, in any shape,
admitted or even seemed to admit their right to try me, they would
have made little scruple, not only of usurping all, and more than
all the powers of a Presbjrtery, but of representing to their party,
that 1 had consented to invest them with such a power, and was
consequently obnoxious to all the effects of their sentence or decision
as much as if they had been actually a Presbytery.
The inouuy commenced on the 8th and terminated on the 17th
of December, 1829. A copy of the report was sent to me on
Friday, the 18th. Having two public examinations of my schools,
in the course of the week ensuing, the one on Monday, the 21st, and
the other on Thursday, thp 24th of December, it was not in my
power to set about preparing my answer to their report until the
evening of the 24th. Though I had to collect all my evidence to
rebut their charges, part of which I was under the necessity of
procuring, by sending a messenger to Chambly for that purpose, I
was ready, on the Tuesday following, the 29th Of that month, to
meet the members of my Session, and, even at that early period, to
produce such evidence, as could not fail to have made a deep im-
piession on every impartial mind— Evidence, in regard to their spe-
cific charges, most decisive and uncontrovertible ; while, in regard to
the accusations, in which no dates were specified, I produced general
evidence, subversive of the truth of the principal facts and circum-
stances, alleged in that part of their charges. Some of the prindpal
witnesses were present, and the greater part of those whose deda-
'* See printed FSpers, Nos. 143, 144, 149.
73
rations were^read, were in town* and, had it been required, could
have been brought up immediately for examination. There were
eight or ten gentlemen,* several of whom assisted me in obtaining
evidence, and transcribii^ my notes, who are aware that my paper*
were not in a state to be laid immediately on the Session table, a
tbmg little to be wondered at, when it is considered,' I had only
four days to prepare my statement, and to procure my evidence
(with 4i Sunday and its duties intervening) and it h well known to
these gentlemen, that it was not my intention to lay my statement
and evidence upon the table on Tuesday, the 29th, for the plain
reason that it was incomplete in many parts, in others hastily and
mcorrectly expressed, and those parts, which were in my own hand
writing, in a great measure illegible. Indeed it wag quite pre-
posterous for my accusers to alli^e, that I wag bound to lay iny
papers on their table, the moment they demanded them. I waa
bound to nothing, but what might proceed from my own free will,
and, in meeting them or their chaises, in any shape, I considered
much more what waa due to myself than what I owed to them. It
was condescension on my part, and a great deal more than their
previous treatment of me entitled them to expect, when I came
forward at all to rebut their charges. It was their duty most re-
spectfully, patiently, and thankfully to receive from me any expla-
nations, verbal or written, and to give them the fullest attention ;
nor can I conceive a piece of more palpable and extreme injustice^
than they were guilty of, in precluding themselves from all possi-
bility of having the alleged unfavourable impressions removed from
their minds. It is a proceeding of which the iniquity is only to be
paralleled by the folly and absurdity. Though I called this
meeting with no view of constituting a Session, resolved to give no
countenance to the opinion that they were a legitimate court, it
pleased Mr. ^lack to constitute the Session, the elders who acted
with him, alone consenting ; and, when Mr. Black rose up to prayer,
Messrs. Leslie and Blackwood, under a feeling of disgust and in-
dignation at what appeared to them a prostitution of a solemn act
of religion, to serve, or at least to veil, the purposes of iniquity
walked oflF to a distant part of the church. What are professed to
be given as minutes of this meeting, were not regularly entered at
the meeting, nor read in our presence, and my friends and I re-
mained in church some time after Mr. Black and his elders had
retired. That they contain a gross misrepresentation of what I
stated, on the occasion, I pledjge myself to prove by the most ample
evidence; and I do indeed regard it as a very fortunate circum-
stance, that I went to this meeting accompanied by a number of my
most respectable friends, such as .John fisher, Andrew Shaw, '
John Simpson, James Leslie, Thomas Blackwood, Esqrs. and several
otherg.-|-
* Sm Appendix,
t See printed Minut^, Nob. 29 and 30 ; see aim Appendix.
74
11
I come now to the third act of our Drama,* in which, I con-
ceive, we hitve the full developement of the original plot, namely,
an attempt to carry into execution the sentence, which the Com-
mittee of SMsion had passed upon me, by enlistir j; on their side
physical force, and calling in the aid of the members of the congre-
gacion. It was confidently expected, I doubt not, that, after so
much preparation, the popular excitement in the «. uigregation
would be so violent, as to enable my adversaries to effect my
extrusion by force ; it was indeed openly avowed by some of their
most zealous and forward partii^anr '.r.' , in the course of ^J^""
weeks, they confidently expecte<' - 1 ■? 'yi»vdm \^- -.he church ^ ould be
shut against me. The schen vv. v - , framed for this purpose
with some art and ingenuity, otaci^vered an utter disregard of the
constitution and regulatio^ii f>' our church, and, had it succeeded,
it would have effected the utter subversion of all order and govern-
ment, and, to use theii own phrase, must have introduced inter-
minable anarchy and contusion.f By the constitution of the
church of St, Gabriel Street, the managem? itters is
vested solely in the proprietors of pews, who ueleg.»te their powers
to a committee, chosen annually for this purpose ; the members and
fitters, as suchj ha - : no vote at the general meetings, in which all
the temporal busiA OSS of the church is transacted. The Session
conscious, on this i' o^jasion, that the general good sense and integrity
of the proprietors, would not admit of their giving a sanction to
such irreguhu r^.ad violent proceedings, as those which they now
Sntemphited, strove hard to carry this innovation, which would
replaced the church, in all things temporal and spiritual, under
b absolute controul of the Session, divesting the propi?etors of
the unquestionable rights, which exclusively belonged to them.
Under so indefinite a terra, as members of the cl arch, it is easy to
see that altaost any individual, that ever had been a sitter m
the church, or, though not a sitter, had been, at any time, par-
taker of the communion, might have been brought forward, under
the designation of member, and a party thereby organized that
' would have out-voted and finally have ousted the lawfui proprietors.
The scheme therefore was resisted, and, in spite of boid and per-
severing efforts, on the part of its abettors, h was finally defe ^ t
The first meeting of this description wrs called on Thursday, tae
18th of January, 1830.§ Nothing can be clearer than tua design,
on thfl part of the Session, ar'Mly disguised ae is, to usurp the
ppwers of the committee; anu. y sul erting the law of the
church, to introduoe confusion. They have stated m their nu monal
to Dr. Lee, that there was no course or means in this country for
the deposition of a minister, but /i} cal force; a ul is itno* lain,
that they looked to this on the 7th ^f January, 18.J0— « Eheu, quam
• Sm printed Minutes, Nos. 31, 32, 35 dowt ts? 59.
f See printed Minutes, No. 130 j see b'-^o Appendix.
J.See printed Papers, t^j* 30—48, pawlm. $^ pri Pnpers, No. 31
<7S
dtffleih ert crmen mm prodere." Their next attempt i^. to hare a
meehttff of the coHgregaiion caUed by the committee ;» expres-
8i6n, methng of the congregation, is worthy of being acidarly
noticed, for its ambiguity was by no means undesigned, aid sheWb
how bent they were, in the fiice of general and deciu.d uiiodsitiori,
to carry the important point of getting the member* to vote; this
at least would have introduced confusion, and confusion would have
answered their design. The committee were too inteUigent and
watcMnl to be thus ensnared. Agreeably to the rules and reguU-
tion8,t they addressed their summons not to the congregation, or to
the members of the church, but to the proprietors of petesA Nor
was this e only point in which they had the presumption to
depart from the terms prescribed by the requisitionists, whose
wish 1 manifestly was, to preclude me from a hearing, at snck
general meeting. As if it had not been enough to have Refused me
a fair hearmg m the Session, they resolved, as far as in them layi
to deprive me of every opportunity of pleading my cause before %ii
congregation. They did not wish, it was pMn, to have the matter
brought undrtr a fair discussion; they did not intend that both
parties should be heard; they wanted a committee to be nominated
to receive their report, and, by endeavouring, in violation of the
laws of the churc, , to extend the right of voting Persons, whose
quahiications were indefinite and undefinable, tli. / unequivocallT
betrayed their purpose to have a committee composed of wnoiM
sut genens—thKl le, predispo 1, as well as themselves, to cond6; s. Iso priaUjd JJ^liuutes, Noi 35.
76
that, with the ahove preparation of prirate meetings and <»J*J"' *
select committee of my most determined adversaries, would have
been nominated, on this occasion, to co-operate with my friends of
the Session I Then my fote was sealed I The committee, not-
withstanding the members of Session had withdrawn their re-
quisition, summoned, at my instance, a regular meetmg of the
proprietors. The meeting was held accordingly ; the only member
of the Committee of Session present was Mr. Carsuell, who, when
the question was put to him, whether the others meant to attend
the present meeting, answered in the negative. He himself waited
to hear the libel read, and then withdrew. Dr. Robertson, who
has subsequently thought proper to n- e the sanction of his name to
the shutting of the church, waited intU he heard the accusations
read ; but withdrew without hearing their confutation. Had those
gentlemen taken no active part subsequently, their conduct might
have escaped animadversion; as they have acted othorwise, they
justly incur, in the fullest measure, all the blame that atta.es to
the proceedings, and f thei)arty spirit in which they originated.
It is important to remark, that, with the exception of three or tour
individuals, none of Mr. Black's partizans thought proper to attend
this meeting, or to give ipe a hearing. Some of my principal
witnesses were present, the letters and declarations of others were
produced and read, and how far the meeting was warranted in
adopting the resolutions, which were afterwards communicated to
d|b members of Session, the arbitrator- wiU be enabled to decide,
ai a copy of that paper has been transmitted to them.* It is
musing to remark the spirit and .emper,-j- in which the Committee
of Session received the resolutions of this meeting of proprietors.
Had it been a sentence of condemnation, instead uf an acquittal,
I may be permitted to doubt, whether they would not have given
a very different reception to this communication. 1 'ley cannot deny,
that this was a legiJ meeting regularly convoked, that they them-
selves had not only recognized the propriety of an appeal to the
sense of the congregation, but had set the example of making such
an appeal. They pointed out the course, and when it was foUowed
up, amdemned it, only when they saw it did not lead to the issue they
wished. They eat of the fruit which they themselves had planted,
and shewed how little they relished it. They say they had sub-
stantial reasons for not attending this meeting.J They are reasons
I fear, which dare not be avowed witfuntt infamy. Why should
they not irladly embrace this opportunity of vindicating themselves
from my accusations, or, as they phrase it, from the torrent of abuse
which I had poured upon them, and prove, in the face of a general
meeting of the congregation, that they had done rignt, and had
convicted me of gmlt. Mr. Black came forward afterwards, at a
* See Appendix.
\ See printed Fkpers, No. 4A.
f See printed Fitpei'o, No. 52.
77
catwU, a
luld have
friends of
ttee, not-
their re-
ig ot the
r member
-ho, when
to ettend
elf waited
tsoii, who
8 name to
[sensations
tlad those
net might
vise, they
ittai es to
irig^nated.
ee or four
' to attend
principal
thers were
rranted in
nicated to
to decide,
n.* It is
Committee
roprietors.
1 acquittal,
liave given
nnot deny,
they them-
leal to the
aking such
a« followed
} issue they
^ planted,
y had 8ub-
re reasons,
Fhy should
themselves
nt of abuse
►f a general
t, and had
(feards, at a
5S«
flubseqnent meeting, to plead his own dpfpuce; why did he not
confront me now ? or when I confronted hiin, at the meeting called
f!*r die purpone of hearing him in hb own defence, why was I forbid
to apeak or to reply, as I professed myself willing and able to do,
in confutation of his statement ? Who is chargeable with the blame
erf thus mocking and insulting common gpn»e, by offering such ex
parte statements, under the name of a deteuce or vindication ? The
result of a meeting of proprietors having proved thus disastrous to
the plans and purposes ot Mr. Black and his party, the next step
was to isHii* another edict calling a general meeting of the menAers
of the chur Their printed circular, for this purpose, affords a
precious specimen of their spirit.* They did not scruple to insult
me and th« congregation, by having it published from the pre-
centor's desk twice, on two seteral Sundays, and sent it round open
through the whole city ! Such was their regard for decency — for
religion I und, for my own part, I am inclined to regard this, as of
all their proceedings, that which is marked with the greatest ferocity
and brutality. Who will wonder at the existence and prevalence
of the^ma clamota, when such means were used to keep it alive?
This iUegal meeting, thus illegall;^ convoked, took place on the 8rd
of February, 1 830. Uproar and insult were the only weapons, that
prevent L'd Mr. Black and his co-presbyters from succeeding in their
attempt, now renewed for the third time, after it had been twice
defeated, to establish the precedent of an illegal meeting calctduted
to subvert the constitution of the church.f Thus baffled, in 8p|ta,of
their pertinacity, in obtaining a meeting of members, they vaMk a
requisition at length to the committee, to call a regular meeting of
proprietors, to hear the Rev, E. Black in his defence. This
meeting was indeed regularly called, but most irregularly consti-
tuted.;}: It was conducted throughout, in such a manner, as to render
any other comment unnecessary than a simplej^ statement of the
facts. Some one proposed A. Porteous, Esq. to be chairman, and
when objections were going to be offered by some one, that gentle-
man, with peculiar dignity, before the votes could be taken, leaped
into the chair, and said — " I am here now, and I will be glad to see
who shall put me out." This was so ridiculous a scene, that all serious
opposition » the further proceedings was out of the question. One
would suppuse, that this party had conspired to set aside all re-
gularity, nay, all decency and decorum in their meetings as well as
in their proceedings. I craved leave to read at this meeting, pre-
viously to any other business being entered upon, a letter § which
I had just received from Dr. Harkness, and proposed that we should
adopt the course which the Dr. pointed out. This, ht» ever, did
nut seem tci be relished by my opponents. Mr. Black was heard
* See printed Papers, No. 43 ; see also \ppendix.
■f- See printed Papers, Nos. 47 ami 48.
I See pi-iiileu lapers, Nos. 48, i'd, AJ, 5*, r„-.e «i-, Appenuix.
§ See Appendix ; see also this St«t«m«/it, pb. j
?»
in hi* d^eoce agaiast the imputAtions, which I had thrown npoa
him* first at the meeting of Session, on the 29th of December, and
gubtfequently at the meeting of proprietont, of the 25th of Janutuy,,
which he did not attend. Some of my statemeb^s, therefore, which
he profo8«€$d to comment upon were derived from hearsay. > Certain
Hi i8« that several of them were so misrepresented, that I waa
foreibly struck with the strange inapplicability of his evidence and
M ' answexs, in these instances, to the statements which I had actuaU^^
made, I expressed most unfeigned satisfaction, as I aid mont
fincerely feel it, when they intimated their intentior of desisting
from their present course, and of iw /Ting the matter, in any toUej
to any coinpetent tribunal, and of i>attin|^ a consequent stop to
those populiur meetings, which were an c' ject of horror and dis-
gust. I may be permitted here to state, that, while I made a,
point of attending and being ready with all my papers and evi-
dence, to meet my accusers and their charges, even when the meetings
which they called were illegal, I did not the less feel abhorrence
of the indecency and immorality of this course of procedure, still
more than of the irregularity and incompetency of the tribunals,
before which I was thus constrained to appear, a^ the ^only mode
afforded me of rebutting the accusations, and of vindicating my
character, in the estimation of my congregT.tion and of the public
generally. But while I acquiesced, and even rejoiced, in the pros-
pect of having these disputes referred to a competent tribunal, I
should certainly have protested against the course of proceeding
whm they thought proper to adopt, had I clearly understood, at
the time, the exact nature of that pr jposaJ. In the course of my
subsequent correspondence with them, I soon discovered that the
mode of reference, which they proposed to pursue, was one that
precluded all reasonable hope of a decision ; the refusal to fiivnish
me with a paper so important as their memorial to Dn Lee, con-
vinced me thai?; they did not intend to act with candour; and I must
confess, that the impression on my mind then was, and their sub-
sequent conduct has not tended to diminish it, that they had no real
desire to submit the matter to fair, and impartial investigation.
It seemed a self-evident truth, and I cannot think so meanly of the
understandings of my accusers, as to deem that it was hid from them,
that Dr. Lee and his committee could only give an opinion upon
statements and evidence, admitted by both parties, and which con-
seqikcntly had been subjected to previous and impartial investiga-
tion. Had they concurred with me, in adopting that course which
I proposed to them, on two several occasions, Dr. Lee and his
committee would at once have favoured us with their opinion, which,
in this case, would have been equivalent to the sentence of an
Ecclesiiutical Judicatory.* In professing my readiness to mee-
my adversaries, before any competent tribunal of our church, I did
• See Appendix.
79
UuA means for my own vindication, and still less to depriTe myself
of the only satisfactory means of obtaining such an impartial in-
vestigation of their and of my conduct, 9» I coneeirad to be neces-
sary, preparatory to its submission to a tribunal so ^ar distuit ; and
had I foreseen, that this would have been made a p>< otext. to prevent
me from calling a meeting of my brother clergymen, for the purpose
of submitting my character to their immediate investigation, I
should certainly have expressed myself in such terms as would lutve
precluded all possibility of such misconstruction. I do still think,
that there is nothing in my protest, that could warrant them to
forbid such meeting, since I admitted the right of appeal to any
competent tribunal of the parent chureh, and consequently intended
that any decision of a meeting of our clergy in these provinces,
should be subject to the review of such tribunal. It will be diffi'^t,
I am persuaded, for my adversaries to show good cause for op-
posing a meeting of my brethren, called for the express purpose of
a reinvestigation of their evidence, and more especially of their
proceedings ; and they cannot wonder, that suspicion should attach
to them and their proceedings, when they thus shrink from a free
and impartial inquiry.
We now come to the fourth act of this eventful drama, in which
the members of Session conspire to depose mo, and to transfer to
Mr. Black the powers which, as I humbly conceive, of right belong
to me.* The first manifestation of this design, was their declining
respectfully to attend a meeting of SossioA, called by me at the in-
stance and by the advice of Dr. Harkness and Mr. Mathieson, to
demand a copy of their memorial to Dr. Lee, which they^,|rad
refused. But they took a much more decided course,f on the Wth
of May, which amounts to a virtual depoi^ition of me and the elders
who acted with me, and presents the Example of a very sudden
transition, from an act pf respectful disobedience to the exercise of
ecclesiastical tyranny or despoti^^m. It was now high time for me
to look to myself, and to assert my rights and prerogatives, in cUl
their extent.' Though I had a knowledge of the opinions of some of
my brethren, that Mr. Black had no right to sit in Session, nor to
preside there, unless through ^ my tolerance or courtesy ; and
although I was fully satisfied in my own mind, thnt so long as the
senior clergyman lived, Mr. Black was .lot and could not be upon a
footing of perfect equality vi i< h me, I felt not the least disposition
to arrogate the least superiority over him ; and I am bold to say,
that no man would have known, from my conduct at least, that Mj*.
Black was not my equal in the Session and in the church ; and from
his conduct, perqdventure, might have inferred that he was even my
senior ; i never had questioned, and never should have questioned,
his exercising equal authority with myself, had he not, by his
usurpation, imposed upon me the ne<;essity of so doing. It was at this
meeting that 1 first entered my protest against iiis continuing to
• flsS n>>n»-J P«n»
v» an un
San .mtnt^l. 1X>«
Wn. oa
80
exercise those powers which he formerly enjoyed from my in-
dulgence. The scheme of the majority of the Session seems to
have been to invest Mr. Black with the power of perpetual
moderator; and not only to preclude me from presiding, but to
paralize me from acting at all, in any other capacity than as an in-
dividual member, if even that humble remnant of power would have
been long continued. But they did not stop here ; in order that
they might be enabled to administer the sacrament, and to exclude
me from all participation in that solemnity, an attempt was made
to establish the principle, that, when it was Mr. Black's turn to
officiate, I might be excluded from the pulpit, even when Mr. Black
was absent, and the church shut up. Could this point have been
carried, a most material step would have been gained towards the
desired object of effecting my deposition. In order, therefore, to
carry a point of so great importance, Mr. Black wrote me a note,*
on the 4th of Julv, 183»», requesting me to announce from the
pulpit, that there WouM be no service in the church on Sunday next,
in the afternoon. As no reason was assigned, I divined tlie purpose
of this stratagem, and sent the precentor to Mr. Black, to intimate
to him that, as I did not know any cause for declaring the pulpit
vacant, and, as I should feel it my duty, in the event of his absence,
to occupy it, unless prevented by ill health or otherwise, I must
decline to comply with the request contained in his note. In am-
swer, he sent nie a message by the precentor, re-expressiye of ms
desire, that I should read his intimation from the pulpit, as he
himself had announced it in the morning, but without offering any
explajiatioi or assigning any reason. I did not read it, and I made
a p^t c : sending to him Mr. Blackwood, one of my elders, on
Monday morning, to inform him, with a view to prevent the re-
currence of similar mistakes in future, that I should feel it my duty,
at all times, when the pulpit was vacant, by his absence or other-
wise, to occupy it and to fulfil the duties, which we were bound by
our ordination vows to perform to the congregation. He replied
in a peevish tone, that he did not know what right I had to inter-
fere with his tour of preaching.f Here the matter ended, for the
present, but this was a point of so greal Importamse, that, in order
to gain it, a second attempt was made by Mr. Mackenzie, (Mr»
Black being absent in the «!Ountry,) on the 28th day of August.
A notice in his (Mr. M's) handwriting, was handed in by the door-
keeper to the Herald and Courant offices, to he inserted in those
papers, intimating that tliere would i»e nu service in church on the
forenoon of Sunday next. I was apprised of this about ten o'clock
on the Friday evening, n|mTi my return from the country, where I
had been on duty, and at that late hour I went to the offices of both
the Herald and Courant and countermanded the notices, which had
b.yjn given to the effect aforesaid. I was informed, that Mr. Mac-
kenzie went about with great diligence, on Saturday and on the
i5€€ Ap|.vuS2X.
1 a A.
— - -rij-l .J
81
Sunday naorning, to apprise the members of the congremtion, thiit
ttiere would be no service in consequence of Mr. Black's absence.
1 his conduct needs no comment to illustrate it. This sinirle iii-
stance inanifests a spirit which gives the lie to all their possession
ot zeal for religion, and stamps upoii their character the stiirma of
foul hypocrisy. In the month of September, it will be seen, that I
issued two notices, successively caUing a meeting of Session, no
attention was paid to them by Mr. Black, or any of the elders who
acted with him • At the lastf of these meetings, the only eldera.^
in attendance, being Messrs. Leslie and Blackwood, an order wm
given to summon a meeting of Session by edict from the pulpit,
and I was instructed to write a letter to Mr, Black, requestiliir fiiiS
to give an intimation to that effect from the pulpit, after divine
service. He did not comply with the order of the Session, nor
attend the meeting which I had summoned; but, in the face of mv
edict, he summoned a meeting of Session, in conformity, as usual
with the requisition of four elders,^ to be held in the church on
the same day, but two hours eariier than the time fixed for our
meeting. Two of the elders, Messrs. P. Ross and J. Carsuel, who
made this requisition, were present in the church when I read the
intimation from the pulpit. Was this mancsuvering? was this in-
trigue? Yet these are the persons who charge me with manceu-
vering,§ in the month of May proceeding. At this meeting of
Session II I entered my protest against the irregular and unconsti-
tutional proceedmgs of the members, who composed the committee
ot ihqiiiry, and recorded in the Minutes a statement of the facts
which I have just narrated above. Nothing farther occured until
the month of February, I831.f When I again summoned a
meeting of Session. It is important here to remark, that I had
been apprized of the fa^t, that, full two months before this date
Mr. Ulack and his elders had received a letter from Dr Lee
stating tliat it was utteriy impossible for the committee to decide
upon the matffrs siibmiffi'd to ihem, and recommending to the
parties to submit them to the arbitration of some of the ministers
of the cplony. This information was derived to me from unque -
tionable authority, and it was my intention, in calling this meeting
ot Session, to propose, as I did at their meeting a few days after
an immediate reference to our clerical brethren, with a view to the
Hnal settlement of all differences. Their conduct, on this .ccasion '
will appear from the certificate of Mr. Blackwood,"* and their wn*
memorandum.ft Resolved that no means in my power should be '
omitted to leave my opponents without even a shadow of an excuse
tor persevering in their present course, and sacrificing therefore all
personal feelings to the interests of the chmch, I went to their
Iff
'W
I
• See Appends-. f See Appendix.
§ See Appendix. jl Sea Aniwndix, ^ :^=, ^=,2::^, :~-^r- -
•• See Appendix. '' ff See piiated 'Papers, Nihlbi
M
i Sec printed Papers, Nou. 96—98.
" — ""VV ■ "i~'=> ''-^ iV.
82
meeting* of the fifth of February, called as usual by requisitioti,
having forwarded to Mr. Mackenzie, on the 2nd of that month, a
copy of my protest,! to be gubmitted to said meeting for their
consideration. My protest wa« read by Mr. Black, a good ded of
conversation ensued, in the coursie of which, I stated to them, that,
in meeting them, as I now did, after the treatment I had received,
I gave a very strong proof of my earnest desire to save the church
from that rum which was mevitable, and ceuld not be much longer
averted, if immediate steps were not taken to restore the ordinances
of religion to the congregation. That we were bound, in duty to
the church, of whose welfare we were the constituted guardians, to
unite in seeking a termination of the present diflFerences, and that,
if we did not now concur for this end, we should be oommittmg a
species of suicide upon ourselves as a religious community. That
r had come forward now, to declare my readiness to co-operate with
them, in terms of my protest, for the preservation of the church, if
they were disposed to meet me on that ground ; or if what I had
proposed in my protest did not accord with their sentiments, I was
equally prepared, on my part, to enter into any plan proposed by
them, that might be fair and practicable. In the tone and spirit of
their resolutions, as well as in the sentiments which they expressed
in the course of this discussion, I saw too well, that there was no
sincere wish, on their part, of a fair adjustment; 1 distinctly avowed
to them my determination to proceed, without delay, to appoint an
additional number of elders, and to use every other means in my
power, to save the church from utter ruin. When Mr. Armour
expressed some surprise at this declaration, I told him and the
others, that I might have done this, the very first moment they re-
fused to act with me, and that, by violating their ordinatioy vows,
as they had palpably done in the present case, they had virtually
forfeited their offices, an ' deposed themselves. With their usual
propensity to low intrigue and misrepresentation, they thought
proper to enter my name on their Minutes, as ameniber of their
meeting, though I Mclared, at the first, that my appearance there
was purely for the purpose of conferring with them on the subject
of my protest, and not of taking any part in their proceedings-!:
That this was my intention, previous to the meeting, is well known
to Mr. Blackwood and other friends, with whom I had conversed
on the iubject. I shall, F doubt n t„ obtain fiiU credit for the truth
of this statement, from aJl who weie present at the last neetiiig of
the Presbytery of Quebec, when Mr Black and three of his elders
were convuted, by the clearost eyid«nce, of gross and wilful mis-
representation, on a similar occapijn, and no doubt for a similar
purpose ; nor are these the on? v ..«tiuic«« of a like procedure, such
as, in any other body, not to say an er/Jehiastical court, would
stamp its authors not only with dis-grace but infamy. I lost no
^
n '-i-j n -
sec 5^:^-.=-.: i =jrr
IA7 loa
__ A gse sflntM! Fmm^v-. No- 105. 106.
I Sm priat«d Pi^a'«, No. 106.
83
re was no
In. 105. 106.
time, after ihw ndeeting, to proceed to the election of new elders;
and I feel confident, that all who have attended to the preceding
conduct of these memhers of Session, will allow that it wai hign
time for me to take such a step. I hesitate not to say, that they
had no wish, and at the time no intention of bringing the matter to
an issue. Their retention of Dr. Lee'u letter, for upwards of two
months, without ever having made any communication of its con-
tents to me, -the reluctant and dilatory maimer in which they
proceeded to furnish me with a copy of that letter, after mpeatea
and importunate applications, and the teaor of the resolutions,* as
well a« the sentiments ivhich they expressed at this meeting, im^
pressed my mind with the fullest conviction that there was nothing
they so little desired, as to submit the case to arbitration in this
country. The truth of this opinion will be borne out, by a review
of their whole conduct. On every occasion, when I offered them
an opportunity of confronting me, and of vindicating themselves
from my allegations, face to face, they declined the rencontre.
Did they venture to confront me even at their popular meetings,
called at their own instance ? Did they shew any symptoms of a
wish to give me a fair hearing, I will not say, iu the race of any
impartial meeting, but even in Session ? Did they not even refuse
to admit of any impartial reinvestigation of their evidence, and
betray the most palpable want of confidence in their cause, destitute
alike of integrity to renounce it, or manly courage to support and
defend it in a manner worthy of a good causer I had called a
meeting of my brethren ; they had opposed that meeting and pre-
vented its taking place. The recommendation of Dr. L^c was even
now disregarded, and what remained for me to do ? I am bold to
aver, that no other course was l^ft open for me to pursue, than that
which I adopted.
My intimation, on Sunday the LSth, produced a most violent and
indecent ebullition on the part of Mr. Black, who, forgetful of the
sanctity of the place, burst forth into a most furious invective,
which produced such an impression, that the whole congregation
rose up at once, end left the church in confusion, before I could
pronounce the blessing. Yet this is the same person, who, in his
printed circular, which made its appearance but two days after,
talks of decency and of the sin of profaning sacred things. The
spirit, of which he thus set the first example, was communicated, as
usual, to his party, who soon commenced their private meetings and
cabals, which terminated in the outrages of Sunday, the 6th of
March. It is important for the arbitrators to mark with attention,
the temper which breathes in all Mr. Black's communications, and
their manifest tend.ncy to excite and to enflame party spirit; his
protest in church ^ •! great and just offence, and scandal to many
who had formerly been among the warmest of his partisans. The
document, signed by him and his elders and dated the 1 9th of Febru-
• bee priate^ faffi'Uf 'fifti J08.
M
fh
84
aiy, liis circular letter, his letter to the elders designate,* are all
conceived in the same spirit with, and are in their tendency prepa-
ratory to the doings of the 6th of March. I was informed, by
general report, of a terrible storm that was brewing and ferm« in **»« la^« *"<^ practices of our church, will doubt, *'^r
a moment, that my confrere knew, and that right well, in his own
mind, that hislending himself to such proceedings, was treason to
the law and constitution of the church of Scotland—that it was
striking at the root of all presbyterian church government, and
indeed of all government whatsoever. Bad, however, as their acts
were, the misrepresentations, which preceded and followed their
perpetration, excited in my mind still greater reprobation and dis-
gust than the acts themselves. When I read Mr. Black s circular
letter, and especially the representation to the, synod, I shrink
almost with horror from persons capable of such outrageous and in-
famous violation of truth. Verily, it is an insult on the whole
community of Montreal, before whose eyes this spectacle, altogether
new and unparalelled, was exhibited ; nay, had the act itself not been
unwarrantable, the time, the circumstances, and the manner ol its
execution, were such as would have utterly disgraced the best ot
causes. Had the authors and actoi-s been, wild Indians, they could
not have surpassed the scene of which I now speak. Mr. Black,
all this while was sitting in the house of Mr. Griffin, the notary, in
the immediate vicinity of the church ; ready, no doubt, had it been
requisite, to grace the scene with his presence, and to co-operate
with his elders, who were parading, ostensibly at the head of this
mob, in front of the church door— guards, fbr so they facetiously
call themselves, of the public peace 1 It will appear from their
- letters of the 5th, 13th, and 19th of March, that Mr. Black and his
four elders have expressly taken to themselves the whole credit ot
shutting the church and of keeping it shut; and that their authority
or right to do so, is recognised by their partizans, will appear trom
the recommendation of the proprietors, dated the .Srd of March.
That every exertion was made by the committee of the church and
by myself to provide the only suitable remedy for these evils is
well known to the ministers of Lower Canada, with whom we cor-
responded on this subject, inviting, in the first instance, a Pres-
byterial Visitation; and, in the second place, taking steps to have a
general meeting of the ministers of both provinces assembled in
Montreal, on the 17th of May last. It is not at all doubtful, that
ray accusers did not sympathize with our wish to have the matter
brought under the review of any competent tribunal ; nay, that not
a shmlow of a doubt may remain, that they were hostile to such a
measure, I beg^ to draw the attention of the arbiiraiurs to a ve«/
99
doon of tlie
mate power;
at up in self-
? Was not
and founded
itatements of
(riy fal«e, or
:ea with Mr.
re how well
11 doubt, *ar
I, in his own
as treason to
-that it was
rnment, and
as their acts
allowed their
lion and dis-
ick's circular
)d, I shrink
^eous and in-
n the whole
ie, altogether
iself not been
[lanner of itci
i the best of
s, they could
Mr. Black,
be notary, in
i, had it been
to co-operate
head of this
;y facetiously
r from their
Black and his
hole credit of
leir authority
I appetur from
rd of Maxch.
le church and
these evils is
rhom we cor-
ance, a Pres-
eps ty have a
assembled in
ioubtful, that
ve the matter
nay, that not
tile to »uch a
(urt) io » very
remarkable document, entitled a protest,* signed by a certain number
of the proprietors, who call themselves a minority of the whole.
This paper breathes a spirit, most perfectly in unison with the past
and present conduct of my accusers, whose professions and practice
so often not only widely diverge from one another, but seem to
run in opposite directions. To read this report, which is subscribed
with the names of Messrs. Armour, Mackenzie, and Carsuell, three
out of the four of Mr. Black's elders, and then to turn and mark
the same signatures, not two months afterwards, attached to the
representation to the synod, affords a specir- ;, though curious not
rare, of their consistency. But ther^e geni: " .en are so fertile in
resources, and so full of stratagems, that they are never nonplussed
by any sudden emergency ; and as they do not apparently affect
the praise of consistency, either in principle or action, they are less
restrained and fettered than better men ivould be, as will forthwith
further appear in the sequel. For those gentlemen, who, prior
to the formation of church judicatories, in the month of June. last,
had expressly and repeatedly assumed to themselves the whole
glory of shutting the church and of keeping it shut, now all of a
sudden make the unexpected discovery, that they were utterly mis-
taken; that the power, in the exercise of which they of Jate gloried
so much, was not theirs but in fancy} that they were merely
machines or instruments in the hands of the proprietors, who re-
commended, in the first instance, but commanded in the next, and
started up, very abruptly, from the humble posture of respectful
petitioners of the Session, into the proud attitude of imperious and
desftotic masters. This is indeed a very different aspect of things
froin that exhibited in 1829 and 1830, when the majority of the
Session grasped, or fain would have grasped, the double, sceptre
of temporal and spiritual dominion, and were labouring to annihilate
the rights of the proprietors, in order to establish the strange
anomaly of a presbyterian popedom. And now mark the sad reverse
— ^*EhuBU, quantum mutatus!" — verily the sceptre is departed from
Judah! And our temporal proprietors have erected themselves
into the Lords temporal and spiritual of the congregation ! Well,
let us suppose that all this is true— the plain and simple truth!
still another objection here arises. What shall we say to the fact,
that these proprietors themselves have professed to recognise the
sole right and power of shutting the church, as vested in Mr. Black
and his elders, or the majority of the Session, and have elaborately
proved the truth of their doctrine in the syllogism with which the
protest opens ?f Say, how are we lost in such a maze, and be-
wildered in this perplexing intricacy of the politics of St. Gabriel
Street Church ? It is a labyrinth through which no clue will guide
US; an enigma which (Edipus himself could not solve; I abandon it
in despair. Perhaps we are to understand that, though Mr. Black
and his elders still enjoy that power, which the proprietors of their
* See printed Papers, No. 13Q, f See printed Papers, No. 150.
88
party have thus distinctly recognised as residing in them, and which
they themselves, in one instance at least, have exercised, \f not
wifeltf and well At least boldly; but, peradventure, these gent Jen. "n,
though in fact possessing the power, do not like to exercise it in
any other way than that which their party recommend and approve.
They are like the weather cock, on the top of the steeple, they
move just as the wind blows, m ith the aura popularis. This is a
very goodly system of church government, no Houbt ; how far it
may be compatible with due obedience to our ecclesiastical judica-
tories, is another question. Mr. Black at this rate will deal with
our synods and presbyteries, just as he proposed to do with me,
when the question which of us should retire from the church was
agitated, *^ he will do so, provided the congregation approve of it ;"
how far such conditional obedience will satisfy these judicatories is
a thihg which cannot be hidden from Mr. Black, and which of these
authorities he purposes, in the last resort, to recognise and to obey,
as the supreme one, is what I am unable to foresee, but I guess and
fear. The manner, in which he and nis party have treated the re-
commendations,' first of the synod, and secondly of the presbytery,
but ill accords with their professions of deference to their opinion,
or submission to their authority; judging from a very recent docu-
ment, (No. 158 of their printed Papers) they seem much more in
the humour of advising and directing their ecclesiastical superiors,
than of either deferring to their wisdom, or submitting to their
authority. For my part, I am no great admirer of people, who, in
words, profess great deference and submission, but, in works, deny
these professions ; and, methinks, this last document, in which the
proprietors, signing it, appear so respectfully disobedient to the
synod's recommendation, and so modestly arrogating to themselves
a wisdom superior to that ve!i*^rsble court, is as little calculated to
deceive that body, as it is t'. fiiitt^ r it. They must indeed be blind
and credulous, if they allo«». fhi'fnielves to be imposed upon by such
inco. iistent and contra! v^-;..- professions, or fail to detect the
system of intrigue, chicanery,' vtnd double dealing, with which, in
the present case, they have to do. Thf«irs is no less arduous a task
than to bind this modern Proteus— •' Qmo teneam nodo mwtantem
Protea formas." Vamly does my reverend corifrere strive now to
cloak from the eyes of his brethren, the spirit and designs, which
he so lately exposed broadly to the view of all the world. Vainly
does he, who lately commanded in the van, now sculk into the rear,
and transfer to the proprietors the responsibility, which attaches
wLoUy and exclusively to himself. " Truth is mighty and will
prevail :" with his own hands he has removed the mask and be-
trayed, in the most unequivocal manner, the dissimulation and in-
sincerity which he has so long practised in this business, to the view
of all his brethren, composing the Presbytery of Quebec, at its late
sitting in Montreal. For, on that occasion, when a petition verv
numerously ainmo/l
"SCGiiiiiieiiuatiOii ui
the synod,
S9
waj laid upon t a table of tho presbytery, Mr. Black took it up,
and having- laboured in van, to find some flaw in d, in order to have
It rejected, he broke out, madver y do« fl^a, into the foUowinc
expre««,on8:_"That,ifhehadk,. ithai ^h'a petition had beeS
fll7" ^1*!°^^,^*^« '.T'^«''''i <=««nte» , ition from his own
party. This did not strike me i ticularly a« rhe moment, but it
;;;!:wi*^^ "npre«.,on ou the ads of dl my brethren in the
prt-bytery who af wards drow my attention to it, cousiderinir it
M an mvoluntary and ui ,u. '-d ad. 5««:on, on the part of \lr.
Zm f ,^« '«'*"al,»'««*'l'ty tc the n ..ure of opening the church,
although he h 1, a few .mutes before the said petition was put into
His hands, d.clared, on behalf of himself and fcs elders, ^W th y
*<1 ised their best end* -onrs to have the recommendatio af the
syno. carried 'nto ettec When professions are so little to he
trust. ., nay, whon fhey nre so palpably and extremely opposite
lTlft''^r7 *" T ^""^i"' ^** "">**^« *^«™ ^y their V^tionP
conduct. If we .turn to their protest of the I5th of AprU,* we
hnd three of the elders, who signorl along with Mr. Black th
presentation to the »ynod, explicitly decUring— "that as the CI
«f Scotland, as establis; ' hy hw in Scotland, has not yet exte. i
Its jomdictmn to Canada, until this event, and until a Presbytery
tomiM m t country, c-m shew credentials of office from the parent
chur. o uutd a colonial pr, tery shall have received the formal
recofe m of the church of h ibriel street, and until said church
and CO. rogation shall have , d themselves, in due form, under
th. Iiction of such a body, ^the Session of the church, as beina
m dcouund a judicatory 7iext in grade to a Presbytery, must of
fm:essUy be the oniy ecclesiastical tribunal in a c m 12.2
Hi lii
i «- IIIIIM
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Photographic
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Corporation
23 WSST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, NY. 14580
(716) 872-4503
06
fyom» reTienc of :aU die circumstanoes, it is net manlfeflt t^ Mi
«o]^mn pled^ has been wilfully violated, and tlie ^infiuny «f dis-
almulation taSi hypocrisy added to the guilt of pa!ittry. Had Mr.
Si»s^ and and hu party openly defied and ooldly related the
authority of our church courts, and avowed their infention to
proceed to the achievement of their purpose, by force and violence,
there would have been, if not less cnminality, at least mere of
lAapUness in their conduct ; if we could not nave approved and
bonoored, we should not at least have despised and loatned him and
lifi» accomplices. The pretext, on which they now profess to ground
liieir resolution of disobeying the joint voice oc the Synod and
Predbytery, is that no reliance can be placed on any dledge or
pjoimise of mine. I beg particularly to draw the attrition (k the
anbitrators to the last document of their printed Minutes (No. 168)
If hich will be found to be in perfect unison with all that precedecf,
9js if they had studiously 'in f^his as in every dther poiat con-
fjomied to the rule of the draxaar^'* qualis ab initio proeetserit,
taJHi ad imum" Throughout the whole 4«f this extraordinary
4(HBWment, in every allegation which they hiuard, thev dests'ibe
t^lr own conduct to the life ; and, in professing to deuneaAe the
character of the committee and its proceedings, tibey have struck
OHt, wv wittingly no doubt, the full and faithAu image of their own.
1 wpeal to the unquestioniable evidence of these printed documents,
tbetr own self-recorded acts and proceedings, than which surely
Bierer was there an exhibition so monstrously ridiculous of pro«
&«
but of ev
of the nee
of the uni
regular ju
enforcemc
frankly a
feelings, <
the spirit
prompted
onwards i
bold to af
my ultimi
notwitfasta
body of tl
prehensioi
93 *
!r^ !?.r ^*T! *^'*'' T^"* » multitude of people are thereby left
Lendt^^^SS"^'^^^^^
HW^r -^ r P"**?'**^' »^at sncl atrocious violation of aU laws
diT ne and human, should cloak iteelf under an imp^ nSexTof
To hSr\Pr*^ "^ 'i' *'^^'-«^' '^^ '^^ pre8e"SZK?er?
mortification of the unhappy situation, to which we a^erel^bv
which have so Jong agitated our church, and like a voCo ^ntinu
ally menaced eruption are n(iw, I trust, finally and foreverS"
ca^d or have spent their iury and become impotenr They^o
have deceived so long, and so long plotted, wilf deceive no lonlr
joU now plot.in vain And whurthe mischief S XyK
n^^tl ' i /*"" '^'^"^^ ^?^' "*»* altogether irreparable, at W i!
partial and tempoi'ary ; the influence which these dTuTes have h^
on the mmds of some of the leading ministers of tWDj^entX.rnh
m impressmgupon them the conviction of the immediJtTrd uZJ;
necessity for the establishment of church juTaToriesal.fr
mavbe inferred from the whole strain of Dr hef^'nCtaTT ^
but of every congregation in the country, of the importance na
of the necessity of a strict adherence to the law of TSrSrb and
^ra^ranr^n^^se^^^^^^^^^^^^^
feelings, on the character Li^coTeTf SL pZldCTud*^^
the spirit of dark, deadly, and unrelenting m^SyTw
wZ. m ''T^''. "*^w*»>ch. strange as it may appear fmakB
bold o affirm, that it would scarcel/receive any Xv?atio„ from
my ultimate conviction and condemnation were thl nn« u
nit • ?"*''' Partizans acte/ under the influence of mfsan
prehension, and most frequently of misrepresentation, asgrosTS
94
was wUfiil. I am willing also to believe that, in gome instanoetj
where this palliation is not applicable, the individuals were burned
on by rtie impetuous frenzy and violence of party spirit, until they
had advanced beyond the possibility of retreat, untd they felt thart,
unless they could utterly destroy me, they themselves must be
overwhelmed wiAi ignominy ; but even that success which so ofteuj
in the eyes of a misjudging world, gilds or sanctifies the worst of
causes, has hitherto been denied to them, and they have only by
their perseverance aggravated their own guilt and shame I I pity
the ignorant or misguided individuals, who— trusting thus implicitly
in him, who should have pointed their way to a very different end^
and employed his influence for a very different purpose ; and instead
of striving to arouse and enflame the furies of passion wid party
spirit, should, on the other hand, have exerted himself to restrain
and compress them, have fallen into the grasp of the violated laws
of their country, and must abide the consequences* Their offence
is light, is trifling, when weighed in the ba^anc^ against that of him
« whose is the head and front of this offending," the author, the in-
spirer, the instigator, at once the main spring, and the almost
avowed leader and director of the whole. " It must needs be th^
offences come, but woe to that man by whom the offence cometii."
Yet even to him I would wish, that the experience of the past
may not be unavailing, that his mind may be duly impressed with a
sense of the mighty evils which he has wrought, and that his futur^,
life and conduct may offord some atonement for the wounds which
he has inflicted on his church, and on the cause of religion
generally.
If I may be thought to have employed, in the course of this
statement, language too vehement, or unbecoming the meekness off
a Christ)fiw>iwiiuiii. mi j i
APPENDIX,
•n». 1.
THE
S£ S S ID IV, .
On the 29th neeemb^r 1829,
AND AFTERWARDS TRANSMITTED TO Dr. LEE.
In coming forward to off«r my remarks on the late inquiry into my
conduct and character, as a Minister of this Church, and the result of
your proceedings, so far as they have gone, it is due to my own station
among you, to my character and rights, as a man and a Clergyman,
to preface what I have now to say, with my protest, against any infer-
ence, or supposition of my recognizing your authority, m any shape,
or in any degree, or the right and justice of your proceedings. '' I am a
Roman Citizen" was the language of an apostle, to his would be
Judges ; and I cannot but declare to you my sense of the grievous
wrong done me, in having my whole life and character, thus precipit-
ately and most unwarrantably subjected to a merciless scrutiny, before
a Tribunal altogether impotent to do me justice, to elicit truth, or to
protect me against calumny and slander. Be not offended, Gentlemen,
that I speak out frankly my opinion of your late proceedings ; it is
all important to all of us and to this church that the evil and the dan-
ger of such a course be well understood, that it may be heieaflter
avoided ; for, certainly, not only the peace and prosperity of our
church, but its existence is in danger. And God knows, we have had
too much of these agitations both external and internal, during the last
six years. A few more, and, in my view, there is no doubt we shall
be speedily disorganized, as a religious community in this city. As I
think that I have been much injured and abused, in the present ins-
tance, you will, I presume, grant me a patient hearing while I state the
grounds of this opinion ; and tho» my language may be strong and
vehement, I am not conscious of any feeling towards those who bave
injured me, but that of pity and mortification.... I now stand before you.
[2]
of this church, accused by his own colleague, upon Evidence, derived
originally from a clandestine inquisition, instituted by that colleague,
and his friends without my knowledge ; and afler it was brought to a
conclusion, refused to be submitted to my inspection, and every op-
portunity denied me of knowing my accusers, of proving the ground-
lessness of the charges ; and thereby preventing the notoriety and the
scandal, which always attach and must attach to a minister of Religion,
when a formal inquiry is instituted into his character and conduct ;
since it obviously implies, that there is reasonable ground of suspicion
against him.... It would have been but common justice to me, before a
single step was adopted towards instituting a formal inquiry, to have
acquainted me with the allegations against me, and also the allegers,
and thus to have afforded me an opportunity of shewing, if it were
possible, that there was not sufficient ground to warrant even the in-
stituting of an inquiry. I surely do not arrogate too much to myself,
when I state, that this was due to me, as your clergyman, and, indeed,
would have been due to any member of session, tho' not a clergyman. ...
In this respect, therefore, a palpable and grievous wrong was done me ;
but I am prepared to prove that, whatever may have been the subse-
quent conduct of the session in this inquiry, the very member, Mr.
Porteous, who made the original motion, expressly avowed the inten-
tion of the inquiry to be,, that, if the rumours abroad were well found-
ed, I should cease to be a minister of the church ; and I had every
reason to conclude that the session, when they adopted this motion,
entered into his views in this respect. This intention avowed by Mr.
Porteous, was evidently in unison, with that of the moderator, Mr.
Black, if words have any meaning ; for in answer to an objection,
alleged by some one, that Mr. Black would act in the capacity of ac-
cuser, judge and jury, he [Mr. B.] stated, that he knew instances
of Presbyteries, who had stood in the same situation, in regard to the
accused, as himself ; in reference to which some one observed very
pertinently that, as my successor in office he would be a gainer by my
fall or ejection which made a vast difference — Under these circum-
stances, and on the' grounds, which have i been partly stated in my
protest, I hold, that it would have been the height of folly and madness,
to have committed my cause to such a court, or even submitted to an
inquiry, brought forward under such auspices, and conducted with such
an extreme want, not only of delicacy, but of common sense or com-
mon decency. If any thing were wanting, to justify my protest against
the mode of proceeding, it would be the result — the finale — upon
allegations against me, brought forward by a colleague, who would
rise by my fall, and which were refused to me, tho' I challenged him
to allow me to touch them with my little finger, and upon evidence,
which it was impossible for me to know either as to its substance, or
its authors, my inquisitors, or my judges, by whatever name they are
to be called, thought themselves warranted incontinenter to adopt the
following resolutions, Viz :
Resolved Istly, That it appears to the committee of session from
the evidence given before it fevidence which Mr. Esson has not seen
fit to rebu
which the
has demei
acter, thai
tend to ca
own usefu
Resoh
cannot [u
thereby m
Revd. He
that ofdis
Resolve
Black for
ourable to
be totally
[A
Resolve
tion before
Esson, wli
more thai
church — a
acknowled
duties of
[Ado
Resolve
nish, as s<
the foregoi
(Signed,)
On what
defend this
I will give
progress ai
SSSBSS
se, derived
colleague,
rought to a
I every op-
tie ground-
sty and the
f Religion,
conduct ;
f suspicion
e, before a
y, to have
le allegers,
if it were
i^en the in-
to myself,
id, indeed,
rgyman....
done me ;
the subse-
nber, Mr.
the inten-
rell found-
had every
lis motion,
'ed by Mr.
■ator, Mr.
objection,
;ity of ac-
' instances
rard to the
erved veiy
iner by my
ie circum-
ed in my
1 madness,
itted to an
1 with such
ie or com-
3st against
lie — upon
vho would
enged him
evidence,
itance, or
e they are
adopt the
Jsion from
a not seen
[3]
fit to rebut, by personally attending the meetings of said committee
which the committee humbly conceive it was his duty to do] that he
has demeaned himself in a manner unbecoming the ministerial char-
acter, that he has been guil^ of moral lapses, which by their notoriety,
tend to cast odium on Ae church and congregation, and to destroy his
own usefulness, as a religious teacher.
[Adopted unanimously.]
Resolved 2ndly, That the members of this committee of session
cannot [until the testimony be shown to be false and the impression
thereby made on the minds of said members be removed] assist the
Revd. Henry Esson in any pf his ministerial functions, particularly in
that of dispensing the Sacrament jf the Lord's Supper.
[Adopted unanimously.]
Resolved 3rdly, That the imputations cast on the Revd. Edward
Black for having been the originator and propagator of rumours unfav-
ourable to the character of the Revd. Henry Esson, appear to us to
be totally unfounded.
[Adopted unanimously by the elders of the Committee.]
Resolved 4thly, That the Revd. Edward Black, in laying informa-
tion before the session, relative to the conduct of the Revd. Henry
Esson, which had been previously communicated to him, has done no
more than what was his bounden duty to do as a minister of the
church — and that far from incurring reproaches by it, he merits the
acknowledgements of the congregation for a faithful discharge of the
duties of his office.
[Adopted unanimously by the lay elders of the Committee.]
Resolved 5thly, That Mr. Mackenzie the clerk of session do fur-
nish, as soon as practicable, the Revd. Henry Esson with a copy of
the foregoing minutes.
(Adopted unanimously.)
(Signed,)
Thomas Porteous,
Robert Armour,
James Carsuell,
Henrt Mackenzie,
(Signed,; Philip Ross,
Ch^rman of Com-
mittee,
Edward Black.
On what principles of common sense or common justice, they can
defend this proceeding, it is impossible for me to divine. One praise
I will give, and it is all I can afford them, that the commencement,
progress and conclusion of their proceedings possess the merit of the
[4]
most perfect consistency. Here not only is the originator or at least
propagator of the charges, or whatever he may be styled (I will nc>.
dispute about names) vindicated, approved and Uuded, but my elders,
to the number of five, along with my colleague, come to the unanim-
ous Resolution of refusing to act with me, and all this before I had
heard the accusations, or the evidence, or known my accusers.
This needs no conmient. Having thus accused, tried, and condem-
ned me, they call upon me, for my defence. I would here seriously de-
mand : did they consider how unfair to me such treatment was ? what
impressions to my disadvantage must be made, when their resolutions
should go forth to the pubhc, and in how unfavourable a situation
it would place me, in coming forward to vindicate my character under
circumstances, which had allowed the accusations to settle in the minds
of men, to spread through the community, and to remain, as could not
but inevitably happen, several days at least unconfuted, until I was
prepared to enter upon my defence ? After having stated thus much,
in reference to the circumstances, in which I am now placed, by the
mode in which I have been proceeded against, I have no iliesitation to
say, at the same time, that I am fully convinced, that there were some
members of the session, who meant me no wrong, and were utterly
incapable of doing ought, that was not, in their view, fair and just ; to
them I am far from imputing the intention of wronging me, whatever
may have been the actual result. The charges against me, which I
now proceed to consider, resolve themselves into the foUo^ving heads.
1st I am accused of frequenting improper places, 2ly and it is not the
least formidable charge, I am accused of drunkenness. Sly of an at-
tempt to entice from Mr. Black's employment Mr. Howden ; a charge
far more heinous than any of the former, is not adduced ; it retains its
place among the clandestine and anonymous scandals, wliich my revd.
colleague has been gathering with so much industry, until a more fa-
vourable season for its production, should that ever arrive ; I will take
leave to say in your presence, Gentiemen, and I beg you will remem-
ber it, that if it has not been adduced now, it is from a consciousness
that it cannot, in any measure, bear the light, and I dare and challenge
its possessor and its authors to produce it now, or to be silent hereaf-
ter for ever. If these anonymous slanders are, hereafter, shewn un •
derboard to the members of this session, or to any of my brother
clergymen, there will be no difficulty in interpreting the spirit and in-
tention of such doings ; what I now say, I take you all to witness.
These charges, I am now to meet, by producing such evidence, as in
the shortness of time, I may have Iseen able to avail myself of.
The first evidence, that I shall examine, is that of John Whitelaw, a
respectable member of this congregation, it is to the following effect ;
[ See Appendix No. ] and now, Gentiemen, I will suppose that this
evidence is truth unqualified incontrovertible — nay, Gentiemen, I will
go farther, and allow you to suppose that I was so overcome with wine,
as to be incapable to stand or to officiate, what opiiiion are you to form
of the spirit and conduct of a brother clergyman who, without a full
assurance that this was my habitual course of life, without assurance
\
' or at least
1 (I will nc\
t my elders,
the unanim-
>efore I had
y accusera.
nd condem-
erioualy de-
waa 1 what
reaolutioDs
a situation
acter under
in the minds
ks could not
until I waa
thus much,
;ed, by the
hesitation to
were some
vere utterly
nd just ; to
I, whatever
le, which I
nng heads.
it is not the
y of an at-
i ; a charge
t retains its
h my revd.
a more fa-
I will take
fUl remem-
isciousness
i challenge
ent hereaf-
shewn uc •
my brother
irit and in-
to witness,
ence, as in
of.
V^hitelaw, a
ing effect ;
le that this
men, I will
with wine,
ou to form
thout a full
assurance
[5]
that this was not an raifortunate accident, at variance it inay be %ith
m^^r'^t^'h^' '^T'i?^' without any previous commiiSadoS
I^a Z;I^r f ** **^^'- ^**''*'^» »>»^« the indelicacy to enquirS
me ^r^lt '"^ ^**^K»t,on, into a report calculated to discredit
me, and to hurt my usefulness, and had it been a fact, UtUe calculated
to advance his om. credit or usefuhiess ; having mide Ai^^qinr
comSl^ "^"^"''' "*/ ^^^'eymn^ to induce Mr. WhiSTo
^^J^i t^ZTc **^yo^tw°•^e^ to gi.e a declaration to
WIS enect. Suppose, Gentlemen, I were to make myself busv in nrv-
mg mto my coUeague^s life and conversation, to a^cS, bthe sS
mar-.er and by the same means, he has done, every occasion heTd
self of the various occasions, in which my fevd. brother has been Zn
^d^ts^^o'^'K'' "^ ^"-dy pretty fLly, take deJri'j:^ ^S
j^ ^^I""" ""*'''• P*''**"' -^ that effect, get a session constihited
and with theu- sanction and seal annexed to them, subS A^m in tli
I wdl be bold to say, that m however awkwaid a light it might Xe
my revd. colleague, no reprehension would be too severe t^bl apE
to such conduct on my part ; and let not my colleague supposeXt
he IS less open or less vuhierable in that point thani amTfrf have
S^vTr *°*'" '^T.^.r" Pr«««n'e, thathehasd,^kmo^"
brandy in the course of hw life than I have drunk wine, and, if hehw
escaped intoxication, he owes it less to abstinence than to a constiS?-
ion, wWh appears to be unsusceptible of excitement. This tsTot^
Gentlemen, you would naturally suppose, from the manner in whkh
this evidence .8 worded, that I had been culpably negligent orXt-
oiy, m tiie performance of my official duty, on thiJoccLion " Th^
on or about the eleventh day of august last the revd. Henry Esson
was called upon, by two individuals, to solemnise the ceremony of
r^T' ^M ' ^^'' W^^telaw's) house ; that the said two SdvLs.
not findu^ Mr. Esson at home, went to Mr. WUliam Peddie's hoi«e
LmTpd ^n ' ^'''Sr*'"'" they found him; that he (Mr. Essl
C to perform the ceremony, in the course of an hour ; Ct
about ten Ocloek of that evening, he appeared at his (Mr.Whitelaw^s!
house." Now, Gent^men, the facts are these ; on the day refe^ed to
iT^ntT^ "* Mr Peddie's^ with my friend the revd. Mr. U 'q^aiJ •'
fheotdy other guests were Mr. Shaw and Mr. Aldport of New^T^k
Afler dmner I was called out of the room, by MrV Peddie's servTC
and found two men at the door, who requested me to attend a^Mr
Whitelaw's, that evening, to solemnize a marriage. I asked therf if
Aey wished me to go with them, that if so, I wodd attend AemSh-
^?tL?7 r*^' "^- V *t"* *"y ^^'« "«t P^«P"«d for my re"eS.
and tha^ if I were with them by ten o'clock, it would not be too late
1^ hen Aey returned to Mr. Whitelaw's, he states that he ^ked them
when the minister promised to be there ; they said in the » course of
anhour^'; when Mr. Whitelaw, looking at his watch, saTd, thatwouM
be about ten o'clock ; he further states, that it was his impiession thai
I was true to my appointment, and thinks there could not b« t«n m^l
A»
[6]
tes difTorenca on one side or other ; ray own impression is thct I left
Mr. Feddie's a little after nine o'clock, in which Mr. Shaw concurs with
me, and con:}equently I was at Mr. Whitelaw's between nine and ten
o'clock, and if I might trust my own impressions, I should certainly
say, twenty minutes before ten. The thing is of the slightest import-
ance in itself, and I have been thus particular in stating it, only to
afford you a specimen of the accuracy and fairness, with i;'hich the
evidence has been taken down. The manner in which the evidence
has been recorded, is only matched by the means suid manner, in which
it was procured. Now, Gentlemen, to come to the substance of this
evidence ; I dined that day, with the gentlemen mentioned above,
whose evidence may be procured in due time. This I will say, that I
am confident I had not drunk to excess, that I lefl the party an hour
before any other of the guesis, even my revd. brother (Mr. Urquhart,)
that without aid, I went to Mr. Whitelaw's, ascended a stair, which
may be regarded as a tolerably good ordeaJ of sobriety, conversed
freely with the people, and have still a distinct recollection of that
conversation and of all that passed ; performed the ceremony of marri-
age, registered it, descended the s^m ^ stairs that I had ascended and
returned home ; and from that day to this no member of my household
can say, that they ever found or suspected me to be in a state of intox-
ication, and, in fact, Mr. Whitelaw declares, he thought nothing of the
circumstance ; that it lefl no unfavourable impression i;pou his mind ;
that he was dragged forward, much against his own feeiing, to give this
declaration, that many facts, which he states, calculated to extenuate
the force of his testimony, were stated to the session but not takeL down
by the secretary. If such proceedings as these are tolerated, there is
an end of society, and no man's reputation is safe ; if this is a speci-
men of the spirit and proceedings of church courts, they will be, I hesit-
ate not to say, a nuisance and would be a most proper subject for the
presentment of a grand jury. I wou'd be glad to know. Gentlemen,
and, strong as the language is, you miist admit, that it is not too strong,
wherein this i^elf constituted judicatory differs, in the character of its
proceedings, from an inquisition.
I now come to the evidence of Mr. Bruce. This gentleman, in
broad day light, at 3 o'clock m the afternoon, about the beginning of
august last, testifies that he met me, and to shew that he is fearless of
detection, truly states that there was a third person with me and that
from my visage, language, gesture, and whole depoitment not only he,
but his whole family, concluded that I was intoxicated ; and so strong-
ly was he impressed with this conviction, that he seriously and sol-
emnly assigns it as a reason for not coming forward to the dommunion
table. This charge is brought forward, at the distii..ce of nearly five
months — suppose, what must often happen, in such a case, that I had
been alone, and without any other witness of this scene, that I had
forgot the circumstances of time and place, and the actual state, in
which I was that day, and had been able to produce no one to vouch
for my perfect sobriety, or suppose that Mr. Bruce had substituted a
t. ^e C^..^'.^ni',^w% iw,at^aA t\C Antnhixnnaaa anA it IB OOBV in aimnnaa
t r'om!in?»l!f •* '*^" "^' °!! "^ °®" ** '■°'^*^' ■^'^en he was passing,
Se TS^L tV ^^T^' '''^°™>* ^'^^^^^^ «' •"•^^ to be aVostit-
denortm^nt rr. ^^r^ "^ ^•'^"' ^^"^'^«' gesture and whole
I nnwi?' ^1^; °'''^'^'^*»°°? '^d inferences ; in what situation should
I now stand before you, arraigned by such a respectable witiiess whose
21^'h ^^,«°T'""^tod by that'of his whoL .;M,LTand wJo e
observations had been made during the broad light of day and w^ose
smcenty was subsequently proved by his abstkfning from^'airappZcS
to the communion table. Innocence would have here pleaded iS vain,
b^r ?f I h^H f ""*^ "^^ !f ^""*^ ^**"''* "*** »»^^« P'*>tocted me at yo";
bar If I had been so mad as to sit myself there, and place myself at
the mercy of your justice, committing my character md livelihood to
fccu'e'MrB^P T^tT ' ^ * "°*' ^^"^«-«"' ia this ctl^
accuse Mr. Bruce of wilful or malicious mistatement ; Oi perjury I
cannot convict lum ; if I would, and if I could, I hold h m aSs
conduct m too much disdain, to avail myself of tli^ power of revenpe
The real fact is, that instead of a redundancy of artificial spirits, I was
labounng under an exhaustion of animal spirits, and had gone to the
expence of hiring a horse and calesh, to take a ride roundTe mo^!
tiun, in company with my friend Mr. Isdell, who wi" hear testimony to
my sobriety, and that, since he entered my house, the beginning of
august, he has never seen me, either drinking to excess, or in a sTate
that excited m his mind the least suspicion of Lbriety ; aSd Zr on
the occasion referred to, to the best of his observation, I seemed to
be what they call flat, rather than in a state of excitement.
On Mr. Bnice's conduct, IwUl hazard this remark, that however
strong the impression on his mind might be, that I was intoxicated, he
was bound, and I wonder how a conscience, so scrupulous and tender!
as his seems to be, on some points, could have suffered Lim to omi
whjrf**""?''^ ""[ ^^ ^"*y *° ^^ clergyman and to his church, in
wluch he professes to have so great an interest-^he was bound, I say, in
duty, to come to me, m order to obtain the confirmation or confutation
oi his unpressions ; and, much as I ab^or and loathe the sin of drunk-
enness, even when It is not habitual, even wiien it is a single solitiiry
^^\ ir^' ^"^ 1"^^"°"^ ^""'^g« l'^^** ™« to regard,*^even with
*rwi?'K''Sf'''r*' ^^ ^^''^ ?^^^«« ^'^^^^^ against our neighbour,
to which Mr. Bruce must permit me to say, th7t rash, negligent and
with that affected or over strained delicacy of conscience, thatpharis-
Zt ITlTi' ""^'"^ ^""'^^^ ^ •"«» *° ^PP'-^^*''^ * communion
table, and partake of an ordinance, of which the auUiorised stan-
♦hY? 7 °!!'" ^*'"!:''^ 1^^'"^' ^^ *« ^»rtue is not in him or them
that do admimster them, but in the worthy receiving. If I un-
aerstand aught of tiie spirit and genius of Christianity, I hold that
tiie humility, which teaches a man to think lowly of himself, and
the chanty, which thinketh no evil, which workefh no evil to our neigh-
DOIT, are its most essential nlnmon^a • nnA ro«k«,. n *i P. »
take my place by the side of the humble pub'can, who stood afar off".
[ 8 ]
and would not so much, as lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon
his breast and said, " God be merciful to me a sinner" than by the side
of those Scribes and Pharisees (and that there are some in our day,
who inherit their spirit will not be disputed) who thank God, that ttiey
are not as other men are, who say to their brethren ; who are more
humble and, I may add, often less wicked than themselves. '* Depart
from us, for we are holier than you"->~If I could persuade myself, if
the spirit of our religion permitted me to believot that there are members
of this church, so pure and unspotted in their heart and life, that they
were deterred from approaching the communion table, merely by scru-
ples, founded on vague rumours, affecting the character of their min-
ister, and if I could give them credit for sincerity, humihty, and charity ;
who, after a diligent scrutiny of their own hearts and lives, ere they eat
of that bread and drink of that cup, feel no hindrance, no scruple, aris-
ing from this source, and only find it, on turning their eyes towards
me, and rest their objections upon no more solid grounds, than suspi-
cions or rumours ; could I believe, that we possessed men of such
purity in our congregation, I might well congratulate the church upon
the possession of such rare excellence. But this, Gentlemen, were
grossly to impose upon ourselves ; who is there amongst us, who if he
be as severe in judging himself, as in judging his neighbour, will not
find matter of the profoundest humiliation, and, absolved in the cons-
ciousness of his own demerits before God, will forget that there is on
earth a greather sinner or a more unworthy disciple than himself; let
such persons dive a httle deeper into their own hearts, before they pres-
ume to judge others, peradventure they may at last succeed in discover-
ing that, at the bottom of this seemingly pious scrupulosity, there lurks
some root of bitterness, some latent seed of selfish jealousy, envy and
rivalship. Let Mr. Bruce once more Hsten (if it should be for the last
time) to my admonition, take good heed to purge himself and his family
from all maUce, guile, and evil speaking, and to go trough a long and
severe lustration of penitence, fasting and prayer, before he again pres-
umes to partake of that ordinance, which is the badge of christian
humility, charity, and brotherly love, and let him be well assured, that
it is better, far better, to overlook the sins and errors of others than
one's own, and that the least approach to uncharitableness and calumny,
is the greatest possible disqualification for the act of communion, and
most repugnant to the temper and spirit which become an humble,
meek, and unfeigned christian.
So far the evidence, with which I have to deal, is specific and per-
fectly tangible. I can meet it, I can take it into my grasp. In the sub-
sequent part of the evidence, no dates are specified, they are all vague
and general allegatior -, that, some time or other, in the course of five
or six months, from the end of June to the date of the declarations, I
had been seen, in improper places, in improper company. Though my
revd- colleague was apprised of these rumours, so early as the begin-
ning of July, he has delayed preferring his charges, until the end of
November, and, unless I could retrace every hour of every day, within
the space of time, to which these vague charges apply, it would be iai-
my
[9]
Son' '^If !? ™®' ^^""'^^^h *** '^°"^"''« *««« ^^^arges, for the plain rea-
^r. it i''^""°i "^^^ ^*™ ^^°'" ^^^« rumours and vague charges
are hke the a.r drawn dagger o .cbeath, theyIlcde our
no rf«t; J« ^»*' *^7fje^ «PPo«e to t: - . general accusations, wherein
r„.1j Pf r ^^' ^^'^ *««t!™°"y O'' 'nj whole house-hold, that, dur-
in« the period of time, to which these accusations apply, I have never
aSnfr ^ *^r' *" ^ '**V^ intoxication ; that I have never been
absent from my house, one whole night, since the month of may last,
with the exception of a visit, which I paid to Mr. Brown at Beauhar-
k^lni K ^'^ never out late, without my servant man and house-
keeper being aware of where I am, and that, when on occasion of my
absence from home, any one calls at my house desirous to see me,
my servant has, by my directions, been in the habit of going to the
places, where I v,sit, where he always finds me, and I defy any mem-
ber of my household to say, that I ever was known to deceive them,
m this respect; that my habits are so regular and orderly, that no
suspicion of this kind has ever arisen m their minds ; as a strong cor-
roboration of the testimony of my household, and a no lessltromr
presumption of the falsehood of these accusations, on which I am now
commenting, I would, particularly, call your attention to this fact : in
the course of my own investigation of these rumours, it was stated
to me, by Mr Howden, that I had been seen, in an improper place,
on the last friday of june, this statement I made Mr. Howden write in
the presence of Mr John Blackivood, and certify it, I have no doubt.
Uiat it came from Mr. Cheney, and that he is the person referred to in
Mr Howden's certificate. Now, I am ready to prove, that I spent the
rJr^ r^^-^Y V^ "^l ^"^"^ ^'- ^' 'S*^^^' ^ company iwth the
revd Mr. Cruikshank, oi Bytown, that I walked home wiih Mr. Cruik-
shank to his residence, at Mr. John Mackenzie's, that I parted from him,
about ten o clock, and my servant man states his distinct recollection of
my commg home, shortly after ten o'clock. I have no hesitation to
state my belief, that my accusers have abstained designedly from men-
tioning dates, under the.apprehension that it might expose their evidence
to a test, which it was ill fitted to endure ; and I do not speak, without
"""nrf *""" ' "^^^^ ' '^^"^'^'■^ ™y suspicions that Messrs. Howden
and Wilson were in constant communication with Mr. Black, and that,
thro their means, he (Mr. Black) was feeling or trying, where he
might hnd some point, on which to establish charges, that might be
least tangible by me. To these accusations I Qppose the strength of
my general character, which has been known, for upwards of 12 years,
that I have resided in Montreal. I appeal for my vindication to the
whole tenor of my past life, and T am bold to say, that, if my adversa-
ries, m any measure, believed that my habits of life were such, as their
accusations imply, they would not be so violent and precipitate in their
measures, but would wait cooly, until I should rot away from my place,
until my best friends should desert me and abandon me without regret
to the fate, which they are so eager to prepare for me. With these
general and prelimmaiy remarks I now proceed to examine the evid-
ence of the remaining witnesses. B
[ 10 ]
Mr. Cheney states, that he saw me, in the end o£ June, or begin-
ning of July, in a house of ill fame ; he saw me, by the light of a
candle, (J suppose a single one) he was not in the same apartment
with me : he dm not look in at the door, but through an aperture in
the wall ; he heard not my voice aloud, but in a low tone ; the candle
being extinguished, the remaining part of his testimony regards what
passed in the dark. The only part of this evidence, which deserves
uny attention, is what he professed to hav' jeen, before the candle
was extinguished, and what he saw, by timid or hasty glances (not
wishing himself to be detected.) I will not stop to enquire, whether
he was sober at the time and in the full possession and perfect exercise
of all his senses, but I will say, what must be obvious tojyou all, that
the circumstE^ces and manner, in which, his observations were made,
were not the most favourable for a cool and accurate verification of
his suspicions, or for detecting imposture and mimickry, if upon this
as upon another occasion, any one had taken the Uberty to represent
or personate me. That there is much weight and applicability, in the obs-
ervation I have now made, , will appear from the incident which I am
going to relate, the truth of which will be vouched to your satisfaction.
Two gentlemen on a visit, one evening, to a house of this description
were both informed to their great surprise that Mr Esson the minister
was in the habit of frequenting it. The gentlemen expressed their
astonishment and utterly discredited the testimony of the inmates, the
latter requested them to return at a certain hour next night when they
might have occular demonstration of the reality of what they stated.
The gentlemen of course made a point of returning in order to verify
this singular phenomenon and upon applying their eyes or ear to holes or
apertures in the door or wall were impressed with the fullest persuasion
from the voice and appearance that it was the revd. gentleman in pro-
pria, person^, one of the gentlemen however was a sceptical Scotch-
man, who to use the well known phrase of Miss Edgworth's Scotch-
man, thought that, " it might be doubted" and resolved very properly,
in such a case, that no room should be left for the shadow of a doubt
" followed the gentleman out of the house and wondrous to relate"
found this pseudo minister to be one of Mr. Esson's ushers, (who shall
be nameless.) Having fully ascertained his identity ; this gentleman
waited upon him, next day, took him roundly to task for having pres-
umed to personate me, and. upon his denyiiig his intention of person-
ating me, he told him, that he had done nearly as bad, in allowing all
the inmates of the house to adopt and entertain without contradiction
an opinion, so full of peril to my reputation ; he insisted upon the Gen-
tleman's returning with him next night, in order to remove a deception,
which, had it no< been cleiired in this manner, and by a person of so
much sagacity und prudence, might have lead to a drama, the perfect
counterpart of that, wliich is now enactmg among you, to the great
gratification of the lovers ot sci^ndal, to the wondrous edification of the
Church, and the advancement of peace harmony, and brotherly love
among her ministers, elders, and menilxsrs.
^>
or begin-
light of a
apartment
iperture in
the candle
;ard8 what
[1 deserves
the candle
inces (not
, whether
:t exercise
1 all, that
ere made,
fication of
upon this
represent
in the obs-
hich I am
.tisfaction-
lescription
e minister
3sed their
mates, the
when they
ley stated.
r to verify
to holes or
)ersuasion
lan in pro-
al Scotch-
's Scotch-
' properly,
)f a doubt
to relate"
(who shall
gentleman
k'ing pres-
if person-
llowing all
itradiction
1 the Gen-
deception,
rson of so
he perfect
> the great
tion of the
herly love
[ 'I ]
With regard to the evidence of the women, I have nothing to say.
I touch it not. I will not descend to examine it. On this subject, in
justice to myself, 1 am bound to state, that the person, who first obtain-
ed It, IS one of the members of our Session, who have sat in judgment
upon me and he has sat along with another who, at the time that they
were designated by me for the Eldership, came to me along with two
others, solemnly protesting against the appointment of that person,
who, as I stated, obtained this very respectable evidence in tha present
instance; and the ground, which* they alleged for their protesting ag-
ainst his appointment, was, that it was rumoured, and very generally
believed at that time (nor have I heard since that he has purged him-
self from these rumours) that he had been employed in a certain cause
to obtain evidence, of a kind rather which was very much needed, than
which was good or trust worthy and which implied a conscience not
very scrupulous about the means of accomplishing his ends ; peradvent-
ure Mr. Porteous will understand the import of what I now say. Con-
sidering it of importance to the peace of the Church, that these gentle-
men should waive their objections, I succeeded, after much persuasion,
in overcoming their scruples, and the object of them should have rem-
ained ignorant for ever of this circumstance— it should have gone dovm
with me to my grave if he had not extorted it by his present conduct.
It is a singular retribution that I have now received at his hands, but it
is parallelled by not a few instances of a similar nature, recorded in
the present eventful history. My Revd. Brother not contented with
gathering up clandestinely all the scandals, which he and his satellites
could glean, has been pleased to finish the climax of his own shame
and infamy, by a calumny of his own fabrication (I deplore the neces-
sity of being obliged, in this place, and before this assembly, to employ
such language in regard to my Revd. Brother, but the atrocious man-
ner, in which I have been assailed, warrants and indeed constrains me
to speak out the whole truth) Were I to pass over, without animad-
version, all his other sayings and doings, in regard to the present busi-
ness and entirely to acquit my Revd. Brother of all blame on Ae score
of them, I would still plant my foot here, and, on this ground alone, I
shouid be warranted to hold him up to scorn, as a wilful libeller and
calumniator, and could I regard his conduct in this instance, without
the mortification, arising out of the relation in which he stands to this
Church and to myself, I would unhesitatingly drag him before a Court
of Justice, and would feel it, in a manner, a moral duty to tear from his
brow the visor of hypocritical pretension and most disgusting cant
which he wears and by which, tho' he may deceive, for a season, the
weak and the credulous. Jet him be assured that a day of retribution
will come. It will come speedily.
This accusation I have no hesitation to hurl back at his own head,
and return to its proper owner, the author of it, and to charge him with
the deep guilt and infamy of having formed a conspiracy against me,
in my own household, and of having drawn into it a young man, who
was under the most sacred obligations of fidelity and gratitude to me —
of having wrought upon him to violate these ob!i£rat!Qn°. p.mi oShnvins
^\
[12]
acted such a part, that the error of the other is lost in the aggravation
and enormity of that of the man, who stood to him, in the relation of his
minister and pastor. I say, Gentlemen, without fear of contradiction,
that THERE WAS A HIGHER HAND in this business, that there was a
Cataline in this conspiracy, and that Cataline my colleague, and he,
who told this young man, that he only waited to find something tan-
gible to effect my ruin, and held him to secrecy, and has subsequently
attached him to himself by the closest ties of interest, and to use the
young man's own expression, teased him into a connexion, was indeed
a fool and a madman to broach such an accusation and hurl it at my
head. Thitj is an accusation purely and entirely fabricated I am war-
ranted to say by my Revd. Brother ; He is its sole father and author ; it
is an inference unwarranted by any premises and most expressly con-
tiadicted by the party to whom it is ascribed, contradicted first to myself
and afterwards to Mr. John Blackwood.
Having now made my remarks on the several accusations contained
in the libel and the evidence by which they are supported, I turn
from these to a question of a far more important and interesting nature
and of which a clear solution will, •! doubt not, afford more satisfaction
to the minds of my most intelligent and worthy auditors, than the con-
futation of the present rumours and scandals, were they much more
plausible in semblance than they are. I come to the question what
evidence is there of Mr. Esson's habitual manner of life, since he first
came to Montreal, during a period of twelve years and upwards..
It is a fortunate circumstance for me, that since my arrival in this
city, I have lived with men of unquestionable respectability, and been
intimately known to persons of the first credit and reputation ; I say no
more than I can prove fully, when I assert, that I have been as open,
as undisguised, artless and transparent in my life and conversation, as
I am in my heart and feeling ; my opinions, my sentiments, my actions
1 ave been all open to the world, and I am bold to say, that the man
lives not, who is more divested of all disguise and reserve than myself,
my good and my evil therefore, whatever they may be cannot be hid.
When I first arrived here, I took up my abode with Mr. Peddie, who,
whatever the gross credulity of lovers of calumny and scandal may
swallow, it will be allowed was not the man that could have either
countenanced or connived at such immoralities as are laid to my char-
ge ; were it true, as it has been asserted, that he was an immoral man,
he is far too honourable, has too high a sense of propriety and decency
to associate me with himself in such practices, and, had he found me
dishonouring my profession, I am well assured, he would have spumed
mc from hirn. I have always uniformly maintained, and hope I shall
long maintain with him, habits of the closest intimacy and friendship.
After leaving Mr. Peddie, I lived with my sister at Beaver Hall for the
space of one year ; after this I became an inmate in the house of one
of my elders, with whom I lived nearly four years, and I beg leave now,
and it is the first time I have asked the question, to call on him to bear
me testimony, whether, during the whole course of these four years,
he ever saw me intoxicated, whether he ever h ead an indelicate ex-
pression
tions, he
not on thi
regular ii
ing Mr. j
iod of my
ions ; thi
or three I
such a de
induce an
conduct c
and I will
part of m;
vants, us
caimot sa
estics froi
that ever
aught to V
while I fe(
of my mai
I am bold
chargeable
at rare int<
of inebriet
constitutic
than of th(
charges h(
that there
that calum
elude, I m
sed over n
and privat)
colour off
tility, as hi
whom hav(
ment cons
ground to
have arraj
have aided
ed to my
wherein I ]
candour, if
own interei
came amoi
erse is trutl
or ostentati
in its just 1
public and |
cause of re)
[ 13 ]
pression drop from my lips, whether, in my opinions, principles or ae-
tions, he observed aught to discredit or dishonour me, whether he did
not on the other hand find me a most sober, temperate man, perfectly
regular m my habits of life, and modest even to delicacy. After leav-
inj Mr. Armour, my friend Mr. Urquhart lived with me until the per-
iod of my mamago. He knew aU my thoughts, sentiments, and act-
ions ; there was no disguise between us. My masters, of whom two
or three have always been inmates of my family have not maintained
such a delicacy or reserve with respect to my rumoured errors, ns to
mduce any suspicion of their unwillingness to disclose any private mis-
^nH r* n r T^' u^i 't^""^' «««'« ""^le'- their personal observation,
and I will further be bold to say, what they dare not deny that every
part of my house was open and accessible night and day, and that ser-
vants, ushers and boarders were free at all times to approach me and
cannot say that they ever found bolt or bar to exclude any of mv doin
estics from my privacy. In a world, I challenge the veriest miscreanti
that ever left my house and service, to say whether they ever found
aught to warrant the imputations, which this libel throws upon me, and
while I feel profoundly humble before my God under the consciousness
ot my many sms and shortcomings in both my public and private dutv
1 am bold to say, that there is not a man or minister in this city less'
chargeable with irregularity or excess in his habitual life, and if I have
at rare intervals, and rare assuredly they have been, fallen into a state
ot inebriety, it has been the result much more of the weakness of mv
constitution, or of extreme fatigue, and exhaustion at the moment
than of the quantity of wine which I had drank, and the fact that such
charges have now been brought against me, proves incontrovertibly,
that there is nothni^r too hard for malignity to attempt, or so incredible
that calumny will not propagate, andbdieve. Gentlemen, before Icon-
elude, I may be permitted, after such a storm of calumny as has pas-
sed over my head, to notice what I have been aiid done, in my public
and private capacity, since I came to Montreal, that would afford anv
colour of reason, or any tolerable explanation of such violence and hos-
tility, as have been manifested towards me on the present occa«ion •
whom have I wronged ? I solemnly declare that I am not at this mo'
ment conscious, that there is a human being, who has the slightest
ground to say that I have injured him, and many, very manny, who
have arrayed themselves against me, on the present occasion, and
have aided the propagation of these scandals, have been largely indebt-
ed to my kmdness and patronage. I challenge any of them to sav
wherein I have wronged them, or that 1 have not spoken of them with
candour, if not with kindness. Have I been selfish, have I studied mv
own interest, or sought only to serve my own purposes, since I fir/t
came among you ] All who know any thing of me know that the rev-
erse IS truth. I can honestly declare, and I do not say it from vanitv
or ostentation, but to set the true character of the present proceeding
m Its just light ; that at this moment, all that I give to the purposes of
public and private charity, to the support of our civic institutions, to the
cause ot rehmonand educatinn. and in iht^ »/!»<>»»<.» — * -r^L _ • .
[ 14 ]
of our Church, would amount to a large proportion of any revenue
that I derive from my connexion with the Church.
Since Mr. Black entered the Church, I have been obliged to sup-
port myself by my own talents, whatever thc^ may be, by my own
unaided industry and exertion. I am told Gentlemen, by you, that
there is an end of my usefulness. Were this actually true, I should at
least have the consolation of reflecting that, what I have done or dev-
ised has redounded, in no small degree, to the public good, and I ani
bold to challenge some of you, who have been much older members of
this society, to compare with me in this respect.
Has there been a school, a benevolent institution, a literary establish-
ment, that does not own me as its founder, improver, benefactor or
supporter ? Before I conclude. Gentlemen, I will suppose all that can
be most favourable to my adversaries, and all that can be unfavourable
to me to the full extent of the charges, and it would ill become me to
extenuate or apologize for errors of such a nature, and of such magni-
tude ; but even admitting that they were true, it would still remain a
question whether the evil arising from such a scrutiny, conducted under
such auspices, by a court possessed of no civil power, and in a religi-
ous community, held together by no stronger tie than voluntary consent,
would not (it might reasonably be apprehended,) counterbalance the
evil of connivance and impunity. _ .
It was but reasonable to enquire, in the very first instance, what id
or has been Mr. Esson's course of hfe, during the twelve years preced-
ing, and, admit for a moment, that he had so far forgot himself, and
had been so guilty, or so unfortunate, as under the influence of drink,
or under some rare and strong temptation, to have fallen into the sins,
of which he has been accused, I would beg to know what good purpose
to the Church, or to the community could be served, by lifting up the
veil, and laying bare to the eye of the world (not to say the eye of
calumny) the errors or lapses of any man, more especially of a minis-
ter. Would you not have shewn much greater wisdom, prudence and
piety, would you n )thave consulted better the interests of the Church,
by striving to throw the veil of oblivion over such blemishes, and to put
to silence the voice of public scandal.
Had it been possible, and the best of men are liable to fall, that my
colleague, in an evil hour, had fallen, through the frailty of nature, or
the strength of some rare temptation, and what I say to him, applies to
every member of this session, who will not claim to themselves infali-
bility or impeccability ; this arm should have rotted from my shoul-
der BLADE before I should have stretched it forth, to draw the veil from
such occasional error ; both the interest of religion and of the church,
and the feelings of humanity, selfrespect, and brotherly love would
have arrested my hand from making such an expos^, and had I been
well assured, that such habits were inveterate, even in this case 1
should have regarded publicity and notoriety, as not the least formida-
ble part of the evil, and should have felt it my duty to have sought the
profoundest obscurity and silence, and to have employed the most
r revenue
d to sup-
my own
^ou, that
should at
le or dev-
and lam
ambers of
establish-
3factor or
1 that can
avourable
(me me to
;h magni-
rcmain a
;ted under
n a religi-
Y consent,
alance the
J, what is
rs preced-
nself, and
I of drink,
the sins,
)d purpose
ing up the
the eye of
)f a minis-
dence and
le Church,
and to put
1, that my
nature, or
appUes to
Ives infaH-
tlV SHOUL-
e veil from
he church,
ove would
had I been
his case I
St formida-
sought the
i the most
[ 15 ] ■
Havuig tliua discusse i i evidence, produced in the libel, I now
proceed to state to you, vhat I have done, and what has come to my
knowledge with respect to the rumours in quesUon since the day I was
first apprised of their existence. I declare to you, Gentlemen, that
the very first inUmaUon I ever had of such rumours being abroad, was
communicated to me m a letter from Mr Black, on monday Slst of
August last ; this letter I will now read,* and then state to you, what I
?n '" ^^^^^^I'^e^^^e of it, and let me add, that I did nothing without the
fullest dehberaUon, and without the best advice, of which I was able to
avail myself. In requestmg Mr. Black to furnish me with a statement
of these rumours, I asked nothing but what I conceive was most pro-
per for hun to do, and certainly might have been done, without the least
possibdity of incurrmg reprehension from any quarter, and would assur-
edly have been far less reprehensible th^ the course, which he thoucht
proper subsequenUy to pursue ; but there is an affected delicacy which
wiU stram at a gnat and afterwards swallow a camel In reply to mv
letter. I received the following from Mr. Black, which, though it has
already been before you, I must again produce for the sake of elucid-
atmg my narrative-t One would naturaUy suppose from the tenor of
Uus letter, that there was nothing Mr. Black less desired than to
hear any thing farther on this subject ; he had done his duty by tellinc
me that certam rumours were abroad, refusing to specify what thev
were ; and having given me his authority Mr. Ferguson, he seemed
to decline any farther communication, leaving me to follow out the
toread, which he had put into my hands, nor am I aware, that Mr
Black ever hmted to me in conversation that he wished for any exolal
nations from me on the subject. I recollect, indeed, that in a conver-
sation (which I shall have occasion to relate by and by more particu-
larly) he was so kind, as to offer to assist me in tracing these ri^mours.
and I am glad I did not accept the offer at the time, as it might have
prevented Mr. Black and his friends from prosecuting the enquiry to
its ve^ source THE pure fountain head, which I must confess was
a bright idea that would not have occurred to my mind. In conse-
quence of this letter, I wrote a note to my friend Mr. LesUe, request-
ing him to send Mr. Ferguson to me ; the young man came to me, I
ffunk that eyemng ; ho told me that he had resigned his situation, as
teacher in the sunday school, in consequence of rumours unfavourable
to my character, which were abroad, and which he said were m every
body's mouth ; he added that I ought to put a stop to them. I told
him that I knew nothing of these rumours until I was informed of them
by Mr. Black's letter, which I read to him, and that I had sent for him
as the only person to whom Mr. Black had refened me ; that it was
utterly impossible for me to meet rumours, untill I knew what thev
were, and from whom they came ; he then mentioned to me that he
had heard that I was seen going with Mr. Peddie in broad day Ught to
a place which dehcacy ^rbade him to name. In reply to this, I ob-
served that such a rumour was too ridiculous to deserve any notice, but
that^it he laid any stress upon it, he might go to Mr. Peddie, and I
* See Appendix, f See Appendix.
'X'
[16]
doubted not he would satisfy him of its utter falsehood. This was the
only information I could obtain from Mr. Ferguson, and I told him to
come back to me and report, if any one upon his own authority should
state these rumours, or allege the authority of another, and that I
would take immediate steps to investigate it. I would here take occa-
sion to observe, that this young man and that most excellent
FAMILY of which he was a member, had long been dissatisfied with my
doctrine, made a point of absenting themselves from the church, when
I preached, and, as I am credibly informed, he and his brother had
actually, some time before this, prepared to accuse me before the ses-
sion, on the scoi-e of certain opinions and principles, which I held,
and had publicly avoived and acted upon, regarding the question of
Catholic Emancipation. I know not what sympathy might have subs-
isted between my revd. brother and Mr. Ferguson on other points, but
certain it is that they perfectly coincided in this ; for I remember Mr.
Black told me with a very grave aspect, that as soon as a Pre.sbytery
was established he would feel it his duty to call me to account for hav-
ing signed a petition in favour of Catholic Emancipation. The Duke
of Wellington and Dr. Chalmers have been so much greater offenders,
in this point, that I would fair hope, that I may escape notice, until
they are brought to condign punishment. I may be permitted to state
here for the sake of my revd colleague a little salutary counsel which
I took occasion to administer to Mr. Ferguson, advising him to unite a
little more humility, with his other graces, and telling him that, ' in my
view, there was more of selfconceit, presumption and spiritual pride
than of true zeal and christian piety in a young man, like him, who was
not the father of a family, nor an elder or office bearer in the church,
thus prominently thrust' ^g himself forward, because he thought that
the minister or session did not do their duty, or because the opmions,
principles and doctrines of that minister happened to be opposed to his
own ; and that if he had come to xne in such circumstances, to offer
his resignation, in consequence of rumours against my colleague, I
should have held myself bound to have read him a very stem lecture
on the occasion.
He went away from me apparently satisfied, having requested per-
mission to resume his place in the sunday school, and promised to
return to me to report if any thing occurred, that seemed to demand
farther explanation ; after that he attended the sunday school once, but
since that time I have not seen his face there. My enquiries however
did not stop here. I found that some of my masters had been the
most active propagators of these rumours, and that they thought
themselves warranted to do so on the authority of a young lad attend-
ing school With singular indiscretion and indelicacy, they had exa-
mined him publicly in the school, and thereby given a notable publicity
to the scandal This rumour, after having been sifted, was found
utterly groundless, for the young man, having been examined by Mr.
Thomson, totally denied it, and expressed his belief that it was all a
mistake.
It is a
that fron
and prop
thing, to
those wfa
others a
med that
the place
false. I
the most
he found
ed, than
fabricatio
en times
another a
ed to be e
UNTIL w
whole as
These
wqU nigh
calling ai
(See prin
But stil
cate with
incumben
only one s
and me oi
ment of it
that he is
particular
previously
truth of a
to the dooi
the rumou
he was afr
this was t(
at last can
I advise
Black, to
that it was
tion to Mr
When I
made use
solemnly n to represent to Mr. Black that such
^e use of It m reference to rumours or calum-
■'ting my colli-Hgue, who had this in common
n,,at evil tonguea were «"metimes busy ii. cir-
f ulating »<^andals respecting him, he must b( aware that I could not
take a ni»ore effectual methop, to give them curuent y and weight, than
by telling tbt church beadle, 9 ]
and asceitain from them once more whether such language had been
used by Mr. Black in their presence.
Next day I went in company with one of my elders to the young
woman's house, when she told us she had seen Mr. ( urrie, who had
confirmed in every particular the truth of her statemenn. This was not
all, it came out by and by that Mr Black had been acquaiui< with
these rumours, not only before he went down to Quci^^c, but long
before they were known to any other member of the Session.
Mr. Black says, he only sought to put me on ray lard, but (Gen-
tlemen, if I may trust evidence now in my possession, and certainly
as respectable as any on which I now stand arraigned, Uiere in nothing
Mr. Black so Uttle wished or desired, as my reformation, or to put me
on my guard ; he waited impatiently for my fall, he waited Gentlemen,
as a Spider watches a fly behind his Cobwebs, to get something, as he
termed it, tangible, somtthing to hold by in order that he might take it
up. It was not without HitHculty and some cross questioning that Mr.
Howden was b' ought to couiess or admit that Mr. Black had known of
it before he went, to Quebec ; his testimony was confirmed by Mr.
Carmichael, and I hold in my hand, a letter from Mr. Ogilvy, which
is abur-^.'ii ;> explicit on this point. It is important here to remark,
that when Mr. Howden was examined by me in presence of Mr. John
Blackwood, to whom I had communicated my certain knowledge of
Mr. Howden's communication with Mr. Black, in the month of July,
as derived from Mr. Ogilvy, I desired him to remark particularly,
how Mr. Howden would look or answer to my interrogatories, on this
delicate point, involving, as they did his own Credit and Character, as
well as that of Mr. Black ; on this point I refer you to Mr. Black-
woods evidence. * This took place Gentlemen, so far back as the
middle of the month of July last, and my Revd. Brother's communica-
tion to me, was dated the 31st of August following; from this it is
evident, that Mr. Black had resolved> in the middle of July last, to
take up the subject of these rumours, if any thing tangible could be
got at. I leave you to judge, whether he connived at the rumours,
tibat afteirwards emanated from certain quarters ; certain it is, that he
only found an ostensible reason for brmging forward these charges, six
months afterwards, when he called a meeting of the session. To show
Mr. Black's perfect consistency, I will read you again his letters of the
31st August and 4th September, and I beg you will compare the sen-
timents of these letters, with the information now before you, contained
in Mr. Ogilvy's letter : how good, how innocent, how brotherly does
he appear in these letters ; is this the man who vows and protests ho
will take it up, if *he can find any thing tangible, and if he does not
find it, nth me aid of his friends, it will be because it cannot be found.
If gooii evidence cannot be found, he will at least find a friend, who
will dive into the dirt of pollution, in order to find evidence of some
kind or other to eke out a plot. Perhaps you vnll wonder now. Gen-
tlemen, that I did not go forthwith to Mr. Black, to make known to
hint these disclosures, these openings into his views and design's.
Mr. LeiUa Mid my friends will answer fc me, that seeing Mr. Black's
* See Appendix. ^
P!
[ 20 ]
tnovements and purposes, we thought fit to a(H upon the defeotive*
little doubting that he would soon appear above board, and that wt
ehould see him again at no distant period.
I will here pause for p moment, to contemplate the situation ita
which Mr. Black has, on his own shewing, placed himself. He admits,
in his statement, that he knew of these rumours in the very origin*
before they had grown into a fama clamosa : while they were yet a
still small voice, a whispered breath, when in fine, Aey might as
easily as efiectua'ly have been stifled and suppressed. Was Mr.
Black in earnest, to stop the voice of scandal, and to prevent the
injury thereby done to the interests of our congregation and of religion
in general ; why did he not then hasten to apprise me, the very mo-
ment he was himself informed of them ; why, on the 31st of August,
does he express an anxious wish that I woidd put a stop to rumours,
which had passed into a thousand mouths and which had received
countenance and currency from his own language and procedure : he
bade me, as . it were in mockery, stop the tempest and arrest the
whirlwind : for all this my Colleague must answer.
But I have hitherto reasoned on the supposition that Mr. Black
utterly discredited the rumours, when he first heard them ; but it is
indisputable that Mr. Black did not discredit the rumours ; he thought,
he says, that, though they might be true, they might be exaggerated :
did he think so, and not instantly come and put me on my guard —
rescue me as a brand from the burning : does my Revd. Brother waken
the echoes of this Church every Sunday, in fervid declamation, to warn
sinners of the evil and danger of their ways, and when he saw me in
the midst of all evil, or had the slightest doubt on his mind respecting
the truth of rumours so alarming, I would fain ask, why he stood still,
why he was dumb, not opening his mouth, why all his zeal \ms frosen,
and never became manifested, until the season arrived when he stood
forth as my accuser and my Judge 1 Perhaps Mr. Black ^11 reply to
this challenge, in the language of Cain, Mm I my Brother's keeper ?
To this I would answer by asking another question, why then be his
m:cuser ? Nay Gentlemen I will go further and taking Mr. Blacken his
own showing, I desire no more than what he admits in his own state-
ment, out of his own mauth will I condemn him. Whatever Mr. Black's
estimate and coviction of my imputed errors and lapses may be, and I
will allow him to rate the guilt as high as he pleases, I contend that
his is tenfold greater, for the errors which he imputes to me, may
admit of extenuation from the plea of passion, intoxciation, unguarded-
ness, or of some rare and strong temptation ; they were not wilful
coldblooded, deliberate : but he, who believing this was my situation,
beheld unconcerned, and did not make the least endeavour to warn or
lo save me, was far worse than the Priest or the Levite in the Parable,
who looked on and passed by on the other side of the wounded man, for
they left him only to mortal death, but my Colleague, the Shepherd and
Bishop of my soul, abandoned me to worse than mortal death.
And if any advantage could accrue to my Colleague from my errors
real or pretended, I shall leave it to the impartial to judge with what
I-
defeotiye*
id that W6
ituation in
fie adtnits,
&iy origin,
were yet a
Y might as
Was Mr.
(revent the
of religion
5 very mo-
of August,
> rumours,
d received
edure : he
I arrest the
Mr. Black
I ; but it is
le thought,
iggerated :
ly guard —
ther waken
)n, to warn
saw me in
respecting
stood stillt
VBS frosen,
n he stood
nil reply to
•'« keejper ?
then be his
Hack on his
own state-
Ir. Black's
y be, and I
)ntend that
D me, may
mguarded-
5 not wilful
/ situation,
to warn or
le Parable,
id man, for
epherd and
ith.
I my errors
with what
f 21 3
decency or discretion, my Revd. Brother has acted in turning my Ac-
cuser, Prosecutor and Judge : his worse than negligence, his criminal
apathy, his cold blooded mdifference, when he admits I was in a situa-
tion most perilous to my best inierests temporal and eternal, form a
contrast, though not an incoiisistancy with the energy, the zeal, the
vigour and the boldness, with which he has urged on the work of a
Prosecutor and an Accuser. Of the spirit and manner in whiph these
proceedings were conducted, I have had occasion to speak aheady,
and shidl by and by, have an opportunity of entering more fuUy into a
detaU of them. But I am warranted, Gentiemen, by direct and posi-
tive evidence, founded on testimony far stronger, and imcomparablv
more trustworthy than any that has been adduced against me, and
corroborated by collateral evidence, that my Revd. CoUeague, watched
the progress of these rumours, with the infamous design and purpose
of employing them for the subversion of my character, and for the pur-
pose of effecting my exclusion from the church. Mr. Omlvy's
statement is pointed and unqualified ; it is corroborated by the state-
ment of ;>fr. R. Sweeney ; it is perfecUy in unison with the language
Mr. Black has inadvertanly dropt in his own statement, and if Mr
Howden has, as Mr. Black pretends, stated in his declaration, that Mr!
Ogilvy and Mr. Carmichael had sent him to Mr. Black, it is not only
contradicted by Mr. Ogilvy's and Mr. Sweeney's letter, but it is in
direct opposition to the statement of Mr. Howden made to me, in the
presence of Mr. John Blackwood ; but the evidence of facts is still
stronger, than the testimony of witnesses, and I am bold to say, that
Mr. Black's conduct from first to last, affords the most decisive evi-
dence that his sole aim and purpose were to turn me out of the church •
and I have no hesitation to say, that any zeal, which he may profess
for the interests of reUgion in general, or for the spiritual welfare of
this congregation in particular, is utterly contradicted by the tenor of
his actions ; and I would as soon believe, that Mr. Black has acted
from a tender regard to my feelings, reputation and interest, for this
also he loudly professes in his letters of the 31st August and 4th Sep-
tember, as that he warn moved by an anxious wish to suppress or put a
stop to the scandal. If Mr. Black had wished to circulate and magnify
these rumours, and to do the greatest possible injury to me, to the
church, and to religion generally, he could not have adopted a more
effectual course to accomplish his end. I shall conclude by drawing
your attention first to the person who has brought forward these
charges, what it is he has brought forward, in what manner obtained,
and from what sources derived.
I would direct your attention, first to the person who has brought it
forward. That person is my colleague, who in this business has had
a most delicate office to perform, in what manner he performed it we
shall consider by and by. This colleague gentiemen, if he could
substantiate his charges might hope to oust me from the church,
which to him would be great gain, in point of revenue, power, and
!nflu6nGe» But this ' ' '' " " " '
opposed.
ptn-M
n Wjiicii our interests are
He has recenUy taken up school which makes a double
nil
[22]
ground of competition and rivalship. To one possessing any delicacy
of feeling or nobleness of mind, the consideration of our relative
situations, if it could not have wiUi held him from starting such a pro-
section, would at least have taught him to pursue it in a manner the
least liable to suspicions of improper motives, in order that his good
might not be evil spoken of. Whatever he might think of me, what-
ever wrong I might have done him in word or action, of which more
by and by, he was bonnd in every view and on every principle, not to
take a single step without duly advismg me of it, withont giving me due
warning without preparing me and allowing me full time to meet him
armed at every point, with all my information and evidence collected
to meet his charges promptly and on the spot : on the other hand, he
came upon me lUie a ihief in the night, he instituted a clandestine in-
quisition, he produced his accusation in the shape of an anonymous
libal, in the most dastardly manner, refusing to me all power of resis-
tance andselfdefence he aimed a blow at my reputation and struck his
dagger at me in the dark ; he showed his accusatory statement un-
derhand to those who were to sit as my Judges ; got a session consti-
tuted, in order to shelter, under the form of justice, the grossest
calumny ; got a session I say constituted, of which he was not ashamed
to sit as moderator, and to be the head and soul of its proceedings.
The miserable pretext under which he has sought to cover his
selfish and iniquitous designs has already been shewn by the clearest
evidence to be mere feigning, for my colleague was prepared from
the first moment to take up this matter when he could find any thing
tangible. It might be supposed from his language, that I had grie-
vously injured him, yes gentlemen, and these v^Tongs are palpable to
all the world, for this hand first planted him here, by this hand he has
been watered, and the return, which he has made, has been to take
from his nourisher the very means of life and vigour. It is not many
months since I, how far on that occasion I acted a yfiae or proper
part, may demand a doubt, advocated his cause in this session, and
was thanked by his own friends Messrs. Porteous & McKenzie, and
presented to his notice as the person, to whose intercession he was
mainly indebted for a donation of £50 from that fund. Nor was this
all, Mr. Black applied to me more recently for my permission to
make an exclusive application cr. his behalf to the governor for a salary
of £100 as missionary to some of the settlement in the vicinity of
Montreal. I frankly and cordially assented, claiming nothing to
myself. On all occasions, Mr. Black has found me most ready to
serve him, and to confer, whenever it was in my power, substantial
benefits upon him ; and Heaven is my witness, that I speak my most
sincere conviction, this day, that he owos to me all that he now pos-
sesses, and that I have been his best friend and benefactor. I should
not have adverted to the services which I rendered him, had he not
employed in the statement on which I am now commenting, some
allegations, that I and my friends had been wronging him. It does
not occur to my revd. colleague, that in acting this part, as he pretends
for his own justification, he has exposed himabU to tar deeper and
y delicacy
ir relative
iich a pro-
nanner the
his good
me, what-
rhich more
pie, not to
ng me due
) meet him
e collected
■ hand, he
destme in-
monymous
irof resis-
struck his
ement un-
lion consti-
B grossest
ot ashamed
eedings.
cover hb
the clearest
pared from
1 any thing
[ had grie-
palpable to
land he has
ien to take
) not many
3 or proper
ession, and
enzie, and
ion he was
or was this
rmission to
for a salary
B vicinity of
nothing to
jst ready to
, substantial
ak my most
le now pos-
. I should
had he not
iting, some
n. It does
he pretends
deeper and
[«3]
more deadly suspicions, than any he sought to avoid. The manifest
advantage of gaining to himself exclusive possession of the church,
will, in the eye of all men of ordinary penetration, for ever cast a
dark shade of suspicion over all his proceedings and motives. I shall
next consider what it is my revd. colleague has brought forward, in
what manner it has been obtained, and from what sources derived.
I speak vjithout fear of contradiction by any unbiassed person,
when I say that my Revd. brother has collected, gleaned, and
treasured up, all the wretched and infamous scandals and ca-
lumnies, from sources and authorities, some of which one is
ashamed even to mention; all of them seem to havo found the
road unerringly to his ear, they seem all to have moved steadily in
that direction as if they had found there a home and a resting place.
They came, like satan of old, from wandering to and fro in the
earth, and walking up and down, to present themselves at last among
the sons of God. These scandals having being collected with as much
secrecy as diligence, have been all put into a pandora's box, and after
haying been diligently circulated through the whole community, and in
their dispersed state, produced all the impression possible, on the
public mind, until calumny herself was tired out and her weary tongue
sunk into silence, have been again in a collective form brought forward,
privatelv shewn to all who would condescend to take a stolen glance
at them, a court of inquiry, after this preparation, instituted, the
box opened, a pitiless storm of calumny again let forth, bearing the
stamp and sanction of ecclesiastical authority. To complete my
disaster, I have been placed in a state of utter impotence, I have been
compelled to stand aloof, passive and resistless ; and I am borne out
by the clearest evidence of facts when I say that it was utterly im-
possible, and would have been absolute madness, on my part, to have
acted otherwise than I have done ; and not until this present moment,
I may truly say, was it possible for me to meet my adversaries, and
even now, I come foiward hurriedly and without having had it in my
power to make suitable preparation. In these circumstances, who
will wonder jf many persons from the love of scandal, or the love they
bear to me or my house, were prepared to believe not only these ru-
mours, but with very Uttl^ scrupulosity, to come forward with their
mite of contribution. I am persuaded, gentlemen, that many of your
witnesses, have been emboldened to come forward, and on the slight-
est grounds, to bear testimony against me, more in consequence of
general rumours, and the impressions made on their minds thereby,
than of what had fallen ftnmediately under their own observations not
to say that these observations were made under the influence of these
impressions, which had prepared their minds to be abundantly sus-
ceptible of suspicious in regard to me : And you must permit me, gen-
tlemen, to say to you, who havo constituted yourselves into a court of
inquiry, under such circumstances, that without reference to the
character of these procedings themselves, you have not only done me
grievous wrong, but have, (and I use not too strong language) com-
iuitted a crime against society. Which of you dare say that he
[ 24 ]
is prepared to encounter such treatment, as I hav^ been subjected to,
which of you is so pure, that, if every calumny and scandal that may
have been breathed against you, or whispered in the dark by your
disaffected menials, your selfish opponents, your envious rivals, or by
the wantoness and negligence of calumny, — if declarations and affida-
vits embodying them were to betaken on every occasion when you had
been innocently merijy and social with your friends, if every action,
word, and appearance that could be interpreted to your disadvantage,
were to be set in a book, learned and conned by rote to cast into your
teeth ; and in a word, calumnies of which you yourself had not even by
your ward, friend, your brother, to be brought forward, and formal
inquiry instituted^in spite of your earnest remontrance, and your protert
that you were ready to prove that there was no ground for such in-
quiry what would you think, how would you feel, and I pray you, how
would you come off from such a scrutiny.
" Do unto others as you would that they should do to you." Ye
have on the present occasion, I hesitate not to lell you, become the
Patrons of Calumny and Defamation, and my Revd. Colleague the
Archpatron.
Gentlemen, I have done, and when I lay this statement upon the
table, I feel that I shall have done my duty in this instance by you and
by the congregation, and shall leave you to follow out, in such manner
as you judge best, your own course. In the event of your coming to
the resolution of recording these proceedings and preserving them in
your records, I shall have to add to this an accusatory statement, and
then you have my full permission to record and perpetuate the whole
of this singular and anr^molous transaction. If better sense and feel-
ing should haply prevail, it would conduce to the peace and welfare of
the church, and detract nothing from your own credit for wisdom,
should you come to the resolution of consigning at once to the flames
the whole of your proceedings, as a burnt offering to the genius of
•christian peace and charity, tiered on the altar of concord.
DiSTRIC
MONTRI
CAJV
advocate,
previous!;
St. Gabri
that one
[tjected tt>,
1 that may
rk by your
als, or by
and affida-
n you had
jry action,
idvantuge,
t into your
ot even by
nd formal
our protert
such in-
' you, how
APPENDIX.
rou.
Ye
ecome the
league the
t upon the
»y you and
zh manner
coming to
ig them in
raent, and
the whole
} and feel-
welfare of
r wisdom,
he flames
genius of
DECLARATIONS, AFFIDAVITS, Sft
District of) -*
Montreal, j
rS 1- n -1 > H- E"»«n, I asceruined, upon inguirv th.t .h.
(R««l.e Boileaa reside,! i„ ,h, houne of oiio Lucia H»£d.i, .
m the «r™,, which is . continuation of BoTse^" ^,^tdX^
.here for .h..p„rp„« of .^ert.i„i„g fiom he^Z^Z^.^i'^
aiii::;;i1Lrd■"n.s^srt:±r::.t/t\t3^^
=r^.Juh'« Kd ca- srSiS-
seni lo prison, bhe also distinctly informed me that nil «!,« L.i » . j
was- 1 hat she had had connection with some person, whom "he wm
eZ Th'fT'''' T * ""■"•^*«''- That she did not knot mT
Esson. That she would not know him if he were there sL^n 1 u
I also ascertained from her, that one EhVa riinn;n„i,o u t
h.d 1,0 „nd.m«,d had give; »me d'cWo^ZS'Srl"!'
resided at the house of one Mrs Youno- T ;„ „r. i^sson,
the house of M... Young, and s^ JSai'd mrC^Z'ZrZi:
shewed great disinclination to enter into any conversation re^^cS
to do 1 r T'"".: '' 'T^*** ''''^'''''^ '^' »'«^J l'««" strictly proh 2
to do 80, but by whom she would not say. ^ proniouea
C. SWEENY,
ijwoin before me the 25th day of June, 1831,
JOHN FISHER, J. P.
B
ft *
irai
"W
2
m
m
*.
1
"A
IJVo. 2.]
MRS. JAMES YOUNG personally appeared before us,
the antlersigned witnesses, at the house of the Rev. Henry Esson, who
declares and affirms that phe came freely and of her own acconl, to give
such information as has come to her knowledge upon a subject which
she knew to be of great importance for the vindication of his (Mr.
* Esson's) character. She declares that, about the commencement of
the month of January, a young man of the name of Norman Kitson,
who she knew at that time resided with Mr. Henry Mackenzie, called
upon her to make an agreement with her to receive a young woman,
o( the name of Eliza Cunningham, as a boarder in her house for a few
weeks, and told her Mr. Henry Mackenzie would furnish her with
money, to pay her board, at the rate of five dollars per week; she
having questioned hjm as to the person to whom she was to look for
payment, as she did not conceive the young man himself had the means
to do so. That the said Kitson continued to frequent the house
almost daily during the time that the said Eliza Cunningham remained
with her; that upon one occasion, in her the said Mrs. Young's pre-
sence, the girl asked from Kitson one shilling, which he refused; she
then threatened, with an oath, that she would dress herself and go to
Mackenzie and tell him to give him, the said Kitson, no more money,
as the money given to him for her he spent ; that Kitson left the house.;
that a Mrs. Flemming reproached her (Eliza Cunningham) for using
harsh words to the boy, when she replied, that it was good for him, as
the money did not come from him but from Mr. Mackenzie.
That Mrs. Young observed to her, that she had apparently but few
clothes, when she, Eliza Cunningham, stated that she would get money
very soon, that Mr. Mackenzie had promised her sixteen dollars to go
and swear against the minister, and which would redeem her clothes,
which had been left at a Mrs. Glass's.
That, upon one occasion, Mr. Campbell Sweeny, jun. called with
another gentleman, and were let in by herself (Mrs. Young); that as
soon as Eliza Cunningham saw that it was Mr. Sweeny, she drew back
into another room, apparently afraid to meet him, when he called to
her, and gettirig into conversation, reproached her for talking against
Mr. Esson, when she replied, that it was not she but Rosalie Boileau.
That she, Eliza Cunningham, mentioned to her (Mrs. Young) that
she had never been with Mr. Esson in her life, that she knew him from
his being once pointed out to her on the Champ-de-Mars, by a person
whom she met there, and who asked her if she knew that gentleman?
and on her answering that she did not, this person told her to watch
him when he turned and look well at him; she did so, and repeated
that she never had seen him before : this person then told her that, that
was the minister she said she had been with; she said that she bad
never been with that person, nor had ever seen him before, but that he
looked a little like the minister, but much thinner.
That the same evening that Mr. Sweeny had been there, Kitson
came, when she mentioned Mr. Sweenv's hnvinir haon tbora. i,a
Signed
%
before us,
isHon, who
nl, to give
ject which
f his (Mr.
icemcnt of
an Kitson,
izie, called
ng woman,
B for a few
!i her with
week; 8he
to look for
the meaiiR
the house
n remained
oung's pre-
ifused; she
' and go to
ore money,
the house*;
) for using
for him, as
tly but few
get money
ollars to go
ber clothes,
sailed with
g); that as
drew back
e called to
:ing against
ie Boileau.
oung} that
V him from
>y a person
gentleman?
iv to watch
d repeated
it that, that
tat she had
but that he
ire, Kitson
the
he
(Kitson) asked her what she said to him? she replied-" not much •"
Mr. Mackenzie, and call to-morrow ; which he did, and stated that
Mr. Mackenzie requested, that she would hide herself when Mr
Mrr/o« saAn ?'' *' '■•" ""? ""-^^^ «"'' »'- requeTted of
g^'o^t^TpLrbT^hf ^::;:x^^^ ^^ ••-- ^^^ «•- -^^^ -^ -
That the day she (Eliza Cunningham) left Mrs. Younjr's house
K,^o„ called about one or two o'clock, ani mentioned to Z &''
fhll^t ""^i ''" P'""""*!' ''' "^'^ «'«'' *« ^'«' ««""« money to-day
was, that Ms. Flemmu g saw money npon the table up stairs, which
appeared o be about nine or ten doUars; that, that'^ame ^vS
Kitson called about seven o'clock, with a Carriole, and took EliS
of^hltTr S'ne^ ^ ''' ^^^^^^^ '^ '^'^^^ ^ '^'^> ^- ^'^^^^^
That, upon one occasi'on, Kitson calle(^n told the Rev. Mr. Black wishes to see me concerning this matter ;
I thouu^ht it would be well to let you know. It is a matter that I am
W(>n assured is quite a public talk ; I think it is but right, that you
would (io all in your power to clear me of a report which you are well
aware that I do not deserve.
Monl^al,
A true Copy,
(Signed) MARGARET M'INTYRE.
THO. BLACKWOOD.
C. SWEENY.
MyDe
' conversatic
the 26th <
been sent ;
on his retu
been interr
then in cin
of converss
he could g
him," or m
Ogilvie ex|
think propi
iNo. 6.]
1, THOMAS ANDREW TURNER, late one of His Majesty's
Justices of the Peace for the District of Montrea', do hereby certify —
That for a number of years past, and more particularly from the year
18'25 io the month of October, 1830, I frequently attended at the
Police Office in the Town of Montreal, and often in the absence, of the
magistrate entrusted with the charge of that department, acted in his
stead. That during my attendance as aforesaid, I had many opportu-
nities of becoming acquainted with a variety of characters, who came
under the cognizance of the police; and amongst others I had occasion
to know one Eliza Cunningham, who, I understand, has given a depo'
Oli-lfkri avf-K^n t*n§-\% f\in4- *vk«rwh4 ^am/I 4-n. «va1a^a» nw«#] 4
i^
[iVo. 8.] ' ^
Chambly, 26th Dec. 1829.
Dear Sir,
Ao-accidental occurrence prevents me from being in
Montreal so soon as I mentioned to Mr. Sweeny. Mr. Br^ithwaite's
^•"5"5^"»="*= St p?e=erjt are such as require my attendance at home ;
C
10
that you may, however, avail yourself of such inrormation as I can
give, in answer to your queries submitted to me in your letter of the
26th instant, it is as follows : — , ,/. u j
Mr. Howden mentioned to Mr. Carmichael and myself, on the day
followinjr bis visit to Mr. Black, that the repoit afloat regarding Mr.
Esson bad reached Mr. Black, and that Mr. Black had remarked to
him—" if he found any thing of a tangible shape m this report, Je
would certainly take it up." These are the ipsissima verba of Mr.
Black, communicated to us by Mr. Howden, as far as I can charge
my memory. . . , . i? •. • t
With regard to the report itself, I have heard nothmg of it smce i
was last in Montreal; and the amount of it, previous to that tone, you
seemed most fully in possession of, from the conversation I had with
you. Hoping the above will be found satisfactory, and Shat this un-
fortunate aflFair will soon be consigned to oblivion,-
I am. Dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
P. H. OGILVy.
The Rev. H. Esson. ,
Montreal, 23rd Jan. 1830.
John Fisher, Esq.
Sir,
Understanding that a meeting of the proprietors of pews,
in the Scot(.i Church, St. Gabriel street, is to take place on the 25th
instant, and that Mr. Cheney (who gave evidence against the Kev.
Mr. Esson, on a former occasion) now refuses to ^ay any thing iurther
on the subject, we beg leave to inform you, that on or about the second
day of January, in the present year, in the course of conversation with
the said Mr. Cheney, respecting the affairs of the Scotch Church, and
in reference to his former testimony, we beard him say—" 1 think it
was Mr. Esson that I saw, but I am not sure that U was him: his
precise words to the best of our recollection.
We consider it an act of justice to state this, and if you think it
will answer any good end, we desire you will make free use of our
names and this letter at the anticipated meeting.
We are, Sir, ,
j , Your very obedient Servants,
tohk m'p.onnel.
WmVM'KENZIE.
\VM. M
sworn, doti
subscribed
writing, ani
and foun()e(
"John M'C
and of the
Gentleman,
and the dep
the request
act of the s:
signed by tl
hundred an
Sworn, at 1
I hereby
Session in i
he appearec
possession <
his facultiei
far under tl
blame be al
particularly
few days I
rumours ap
of coming i
it forward
impression
attending t
Mr. Black,
that Mr. E
made; on 1
course of a
people wh(
further sole
appointmer
time appoi
that Mr. E
my stairs, \
degree ovei
and rpinRtf
11
n M I can
tter of the
on the' day
Eirding Mr.
marked to
report, he
•ba of Mr.
can charge
)f it since I
t time, you
[ had with
at this un*
\VM. M'KENZIE, of the City of Montreal, Gentlemen, being duly
sworn, doth depose and say — That the signature " Wm. M'Kenzie "
subscribed to the letter above written, is his signature of his hand
writing, and that the allegatious in the said letter contained are true
and founded in fact. And the deponent further saith, that the signature
"John JVi'Connel" to the said letter also subscribed, is the signature
and of the proper hand writing of John M'Connel, of Montreal,
Gentleman, who is at present absent from tha District of Montreal ;
and the deponent further saith, that the said letter was not written at
the request or suggestion of any other person, but was the spontaneous
act of the said John M'Connel and the deponent, and was written and
signed by them on the twenty-third day of January, one thousand eight
hundred and thirty.
WM. M'KENZIE.
Sworn, at Montreal, this 29th day of June, 1831, before me,
ADAM L. MACNIDER, J.P.
JY.
1830.
jrs of pews,
on the 25th
at the Rev.
hing further
', the second
rsation with
}hurch, and
«« I think it
18 him :" his
^ou think it
9 use of our
E.
[iVb. 10.]
I hereby declare — that, in the evidence which I gave before the
Session in reference to the Rev. Mr. Esson, I did not mean to say that
he appeared to me to be so far aifectcd by liquor as not to be in perfect
possession of all his senses, and in the perfect capacity of exercising all
his faculties of mind and body; I merely considered liim as being so
far under the influence of wine, as any man might naturally and without
blame be after coming from a dinner party, and that if 1 had not been
particularly requested by the Rev. Mr. Black, who called upon me a
few days before and examined me on the subject, of which some
rumours appear to have reached his ears, 1 should never have thought
of coming forward to give such evidence, and still less to have brought
it forward as a charge against Mr. Esson, as it left no unfavourable
impression upon my mihd, and did not operate at all to prevent my
attending the communion table. I further declare, that I never gave
Mr. Black, or the members of the Session, any reason to say or insinuate
that Mr. Esson had not been punctual to the appointment which he
made ; on the other hand, when I was told that be was to attend in the
course of an hour at my house, I looked at my watch and said to the
people who were present, that would be about ten o'clock ; and I
further solemnly declare my impression, that Mr. Esson was true to his
appointment within ten minutes, whether before or after the exact
time appointed, I will not pretend to determine. I further declare
that Mr. Esson came to my house, and ascended alone and without aid
my stairs, which are steep and would not be very safe for a man in any
degree overcome by wine; that he performed the ceremony of marriage
and rnoristAred it with nerfvct accuracv: that he conversed with us
i ''%]
^k,l
12
freely, both before and after the performnce of his duty; and that his
conversation was perfectly sensible and collected ; that the facts which
I have now stated were stated to the Session, and that it was not ray
fault that the secretary did not record sacli facts and observations as I
then and there made to explain and qualify my evidence; and to prevent
any undue or exaggerated estimate of the degree in which Mr. Esson
appeared to me, on that occasion, to be under the iuflueuce of wme,
I am ready to swear to truth of the above, whenever it shall bec9me
necessary.
Montreal, 22nd January, 1830.
The foregoing statement of evidence, taken on the twenty-second
day of January, 1830, having been again referred and read to Mr. John
Whitlaw, in our presence, this twenty-fifth day of June, m the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, he admits the
samfe to contain the truth, with the exception of that part which states
that Rev. Mr. Black had called and examined him upon the subject ot
certain rumours against Mr. Eason, admitting however that Mr. Black
did call and asked him if Mr. Esson had performed th« marriage cere-
mony, being answered in the affirmative, he then was told by Mr. black,
f* You will get a»note to attend the Session."
Although admitting the truth contained in said statement, yet re-
fused to sign his name thereto. I
JOHN FISHER.
ALEX. DEWAK.
iNo. 11.]
1 recollect being present, some time in the month of December last,
at a conversation between the Rev. H. Esson, of Montreal, and Mr.
John Whitlaw, of the same place, carpenter, when in answer to some
questions put by Mr. Esson, in reference to evidence given by him, Mr.
Whitlaw, before the Session regarding Mr. Esson s sobriety; Mr.
Whitlaw said that Mr. Esson did not appear to be so far aflFectcd by
liquor as not to be in the perfect capacity of exercising all his faculties
both of mind and body; that he merely appeared to be so far under
the influence of wine as any man might naturally and without blame
he after coming from a dinner party; and that if he, Mr. Wliitlaw, had
not been earnestly pressed by the Rev. E. Black, who called upon hira
for that purpose, he should never have thought of coming forward to
ffive such evidence, as it left no unfavourable impression upon his nind,
and did not tend in the least to prevent his attending the communion
That he had stated several circumstances before the Session, in
order to explain and qualify his evidence, and to prevent any undue or
exaffKerated estimate of the degiee in which Mr. Esson appeared to
"^■.
d that bis
eta which
IS not my
,tioD8 as I
>,o prevent
dr. EsBoa
e of wine,
[1 becqme
ity-second
Mr. John
he year of
idmits the
lich states
subject of
VIr. Black
•iage cere-
^r. Black,
It, yet re-
13
him to be under the influence of wine, but which tl secretary, for
reasons best known to hiinself, did not see fit to comn to writing.
This is the substance of what Mr. NVbitlaw said in my presence, on
the occasion above-mentioned, as I am ready to dwear, if necessary.
Dated at Montreal, 20th day of November, 1830.
JAMES ISDELL.
In the presence of
JOHN FISHER,
THO. BLACKWOOD.
I was also present at the conversation between Mr. Esson and Mr.
Whitlaw above alluded to, and recollect that such was the purport of
Mr. Whitlaw's answers. Mr. Whitlaw also stated the same to me, on
two other occasions, as I am ready to swear when necessary.
November 20th, 1830.
JOHN BLACKWOOD, JUN.
In the presence of
JOHN FISHER,
THO. BLACKWOOD.
ember 1ast»
, and Mr.
er to some
y him, Mr.
riety; Mr.
jfFectcd by
lis faculties
t far under
lout blame
hitlaw, had
1 upon him
forward to
n his nind,
communion
Session, in
ly undue or
tppeared to
INo. 12.] .
1, JAMES COURT, of the City of Montreal, in the Province of
Lower Canada, declare as follows:— to wit. That some Sunday pre-
vious to the third of September last, I was informed by Mr. Alexander
Douglas of certain rumours which were then in circulation involving
the character of the Rev. Henry Esson. Mr. Douglas informed me
that he had spoken with Mr. Howden upon the subject, who confirmed
what he had heard in that respect. Wishing to know the truth of the
matter, I spoke to Mr. Howden the same day upon the subject, when
he said, in substance, that he had heard these reports some time ago,
and had hitherto refrained from giving them publicity, out of a desire
not to destroy Mr. Esson's character; but that now, as Mr. Esson was
doing every thing in his power to hurt him, he would no longer keep
them a secret, and did not care to whom he related them. Such is the
import of what passed between us; but from the length of time since it
took place, I cannot precisely say what were the words made use of
by Mr. Howden. I mentioned the rumours I had heard respecting
Mr. Esson to Mr. John Blackwood, jun. immediately or soon after the
same were commjanicated to me by Mr. Douglas; shortly after, the
reports I had heard were generally circulated in Montreal.
■ JAMES COURT.
Montreal, 6th January, 1830.
■"trijjp**— -
14
iNo. 13.]
' I, JOHN BLACKWOOD, Junior, of the City of Montreal,
declare as foHowa : — to wit, That I entered the Rev. Mr. Esson's
academy, on the tenth of August last; on or about the twenty-third of
that month, I was told by Mr. James Court, of Montreal, of certain
rumours which were afloat, highly prejudicial to Mr. Esaon's character,
all which reports he, Mr. Court, told me that he had from Mr. Howden
and others that day, (23rd of August.) The next day I spoke to Mr.
Carmichael, who was then a teacher at Mr. Esson's, and asked him if
he had beard of them ? Mr. Carmichael replied in the affirmative. I
then suggested the propriety of mentioning those reports to Mr. Esson ;
but Mr. Carmichpei advised me not to do so, as the Rev. Mr. Black
knew (to Mr. Carmichael's knowledge) of them, and he thought it was
Mr. Black's duty to inform Mr. Esson, and he supposed had done so.
Upon the 5th of September, Mr. Esson, in my presence and in presence
of the other masters in the academy, severely lectured Mr. Carmichael,
as having been very busily engaged in spreading the said reports.
Mr. Carmichael acknowledged having spoken rather too freely upon the
subject, and regretted that he had not been more circumspect in
uttering his sentiments. Mr. Esson upon that occasion did not spare
Mr. Carmichael, and his, Mr. Essoa's, language, though far from being
opprobrious or ungentlemanly, was quite the reverse of the language of
ORo ".'ho would wish to conciliate.
On or about the 22nd of September last, I was requested by Mr.
Eascn to be present at a conversation between him and Mr. Howden
prev ous to which I was informed by Mr. Esson, that Mr. Ogilvie had
to]A him that Mr. Howden had had several secret communications with
Mr. Black, upon the subject of these rumours, in the middle of July
last ; i was also requested to pay particular attention to the manner ia
which Mr. Howden would answer the questions put to him. Mr.
Howden, at first, flatly denied it, but was, at last, brought to acknow-
ledge the truth of Mr. Ogilvie's statement, after manifesting exceeding
grfli»*. reluctance and after the question bad been put to him in several
different shapes. Mr. Howden added, that he never spoke to Mr.
Black concerning those rumours, until Mr. Black had first introduced
them into conversation; and that Mr. Black had been teasing him (to
use his own expression) to become a partner ivith jiim, Mr. Black, in
a school, which the latter was then about establishing.
On the evening of the 28th of December last, at the requejjt of Mr.
Esson, I waited upon Mr. Howden to ask him to call upon Mr. Esson,
to answer some questions with regard to an overture alleged to have
been made by Mr. Esson, to prevail upon Mr. Howden to leave Mr.
Black. Mr. Howden declined having any thing more to do with the
business, as it might lead him into di^culties; but,, at the same time,
he declared that there was nothing in Mr. Esson's communication with
him, to warrant a suspicion that Mr. Esson wished to entice him from
Mr. Bl "k. Mr. Howden further declared, that he had, much against
his will, given a declaration to Mr. Black (who had questioned him
15
upon the sabject, and urged him to make the declaration) to this
purpose, that Mr. Eason had asked him, Mr. Howden, to attend his
Mr. Essen's Academy, solely for the purpose of drawing, for two hours
during the day and one hour at night, at times which would not in-
terfere with his, Mr. Howden's, engagements with Mr. Black. Mr.
Howdea also stated, that he had heard that it was mentioned to the
Session, tliat he said Mr. Esson wished to entice him away from Mr.
Black; and that, if Mr. Black had stated any such thing to the Session,
he, Mr. Black, alone was responsible for it, as he, Mr. Howden, never
even hinted at any thing of the kind, either to Mr. Black or to any
other person.
Mr. Esson has always, in my presence, spoken of Mr. Howden as a
yonng man who had been regular, attentive, and steady in the discbai^e
of his duty, while in his, Mr. Esson's, employ.
I have lived iu Mr. Esson's house since the 9th of September last,
have always bad access to him morning, noon, or night, at any time I
wished to see him. During all the time I have been with Mr. Esson,
I never saw, knew, or even suspected him to have been in the least
overcome by liquor. Mr. Esson has never behaved himself towards
me in any way but as becomes a friend and brother. I am ready to
swear to the truth of the foregoing when necessary, and have hereunto
set ray hand, this 7th day of January, 1830,
JOHN BLACKWOOD, JUN.
' • [iVb. 14.]
I have lived in Mr. Esson's house since the 10th of August, 1829,
and from that time to the present have never seen or remarked any
thing in his conduct to warrant a suspicion of inebriety; I remember to
driven Mr. Esson round the mountain, about the 12th of August last,
in one of Mr. Sharpe's calashes; we 'met another caiTiage in which
there was a woman and some children, and a gentleman walking along
side. I did not know said gentleman, but have understood that it was
a Mr. Bruce of Montreal, schoolmaster. He entered ^.nto conversation
with Mr. Esson, who was perfectly sober at the time, but complained
of being weak and unwell, and it was on that account that we took the
ride round the mo^ntaio. I am ready to swear to the truth of the
above statements.
Dated this 6th January, 1830.
JAMES ISDELL.
i ,
1
•1 ,
LNo, 15.]
THOMAS MATHEWS has lived with Mr. Esson for the space
of nearly two years, has always opened ib« duor for Mr. c^sson when
Pi '
•t"'!
ili
■■■'ifalu-.
16
Le raturned home at night, and never saw him come home tipsey or
worse of liqaor. Recollects having seen Mr. Esson on or about the
12th of August last, both biefore and after he, Mr. Esson, had been out
riding in a calash with Mr. Isdell, and saw nothing to lead to a sus-
picion of Mr. Esson being intoxicated ; has always had access to Mr.
Esson's room at all times, never saw any thing improper or indecorous
or any thing calculated to excite suspicion ir Mr. Esson's conduct.
Mr. Esson has not spent 9 night from home, since the month of May,
except when he, Mr. Esson, was up at Beauharnois. Hemembers that
the last Friday in June, Mr. Esson spent the evening with Mr.
Cruikshank, at Mr. Shaws, and that he, Mr. Esson, came home shortly
after ten o'clock that night perfectly sober and collected. Is ready and
willing to con6rm the above statement, on oath, when required, and
being unable to write, hath made his usual, mark in presence of the
undersigned witnesses.
his ,
THOMAS X MATHEWS,
mark.
Montreal, 7th of January, 1830
^ JOHN BLACKWOOD, JUN.
JAMES ISDELL.
}
Witnesses.
INo. 16.]
I declare that I entered into Mr. Esson's employ, in the capacity of
housekeeper, on the 15th day of May last past, since which penod 1
have had the custody of the keys of the cellar, in which the wine and
spirits are kept. I have a perfect knowledge of the quantity of wine
and liquor used in the family, as the same are always drawn by niyself,
and I declare that the quantity consumed is less than was used in my
own house (a tradesman's family, consisting of myself, my late husband,
"^my child, and servant girl) or in any other family that I know. Mr.
Esson's family consists of himself, two ushers, six boarders, a servant
man, myself, and two servant girls. I also affirm that I have seen Mr.
Esson, I believe without exception, several times every day, at various
hours both late and early, and never saw him in any way irregular or
in a state of inebriety. Mr. Esson has never been absent from home
any night since I came to the house, except one when he went to
Beauharnois. Mr. Esson has been in the constant practise of »Dformiiig
me, when he goes out in the evening, where he may be found should
he be required. Shortly before Mr. Howden left Mr. Esson s emp^y.
Mrs. Campbell, who is now in Upper Canada, informed me, that Mr.
Howden had expressed to her s wish that Mr. Esson's school would
die in decline. I am ready and willing to make oath to the foregoing
statements if required, ^„_. „ . t #,^t »*
MARGARET MALCOLM.
' Montreal, 7th January, 1830. ,
This is t
Montreal A
(luring whic
opportunity
solemnly de
ebriety, or {
an'* the cler
N.B. I
it August, \
I, BRIO
William Df
EsHon upw
1825, and (
woman, na
hoitsekeepe
Campbell, (
had a door
members o
masters or
boarders, ol
persons wei
that all the
room, it wi
that I nove
that he rar
tention on
house the 1
in the hous
That th(
of attendinj
bell was tbi
bed-room ;
bed-room,
house whei
firrssn^stsni
17
INo. 17.]
Cornwall. 20th July, 1831.
This is to certify, that I lived as assistant for three years in the
Montreal Arademical Inatitntion, conducted by the Rev. H. Esaon,
during which time, I was an inmate in his family, and therefore had an
opportunity of being perfectly acquainted with his habits ; and I da
solemnly declare, that, during said time, I never saw him in a state of
ebriety, or acting in any manner otherwise than become the gentleman
an<' the clergyman.
LAWRENCE C. ODONOUGHUE.
N. B. I entered Mr. Esson'a Academy September, 1824, and left
it August, 1827.
LAWRENCE C. ODONOUGHUE.
[Ao. 18.]
I, BRIDGET HEALY, of the City of Montreal, cook, and wife of
William Dorn, declare — that I lived in the service of the Rev. Henry
Eaaon upwards of three years, commencing the Ist day of January,
1825, and ending in October, 1828. That, during this period, a young
woman, named Margaret M'Intyre, was engaged by Mr. Esson as
housekeeper; that she slept in the same room with myself and Mrs.
Campbell, an old woman upwards of sixty years of age; that this room
had a door opening into a passaare, which was a thoroughfare for all the
members of Mr. Eason's houacltuld, consisting of never less than two
masters or teachers, sometimes three, of ten or twelve young gentlemen
boarders, of three women servants, and one man servant; that all these
persona were in the habit of passing up and down this thoroughfare ;
that all the women slept in the same room ; that, though it was a bed-
room, it was all the said Margaret M'Intyre had for a sitting-room ;
that I never saw Mr. Esson frequent said room, and I am persuaded
that he rarely visited it, and I never would have suspecte- CarnpW ;
that she, the sai] t Tording much greater opportunity of
concealment, would consequent!) have been among suHpiciuus placesi
of meeting; that I never saw Mr. Emsou frequent said room, and I
would never have suspected any ill intention on his part in going into
it, as it was of all the apartmentii in the house the most open to obser-
vation, being accessible at all times to all the females in the house, who
slept and dressed in it; that 1 or Mrs. Campbell were always in tlie
habit of attending Mr. Esson in his parlour and bed-room ; that Mrs.
Campbell was the person that made Mr. Esson's bed and had the
charge of his bed-room; that I never saw said Margaret M'lntyre enter
Mr. Esson's bed-room, or the room where he sat, or any other apart-
ment of the house where he was, at an unseasonable hour or under
suspicious circumstances ; and I never had reason to suspect, nor ever
heard any of my fellow-servants express a suspicion of Mr. Esson'ii
having made an appointment with aaid girl; and that if such had been
Mr. Esson's habit, I do not think it could have escaped the observation
of me and my fellow-servants. I further declare — that Mr. Esson's
beil-room was immediately adjoining that of Mr. Gale, which was
afterwards occupied by Mr. Howden, who did not leave Mr. Esson 'n
until the end of July, or beginning of August, one thousand eight
hundred and twenty-nine; that there is a door in the partition between
these bed-rooms, and another door opening into the drawing-room ; and
that I never knew either of these doors to be locked, or any of Mr.
Esson's rooms not to be open and accessible at all hours of the night
or day; and that living as he did accessible at all times to all of us
masters, boarders, and servants, it was hardly possible to conceive that
he could either have done, or even intended to do, in such circum-
stances, aught that was wrong. That all the while I lived in Mr.
Esson's house I never saw him intoxicated, never observed any impro-
priety or irregularity in his condnct; and that, especially during tlie
summer of one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine, from May till
November, ho \ 'as rarely from home ; that I believe I remember most
of the parties that he attended, and that I never knew him to be out
fifter ten or eleven o'clock at night, except on occtuiion of these parties •
that having a great deal of fatigue during the day, in attending his two
schools, he was during that period in the habit of going to bed generally
about ten o'clock, except in the few cases aforesaid ; that I generally
opened the door to Mr. Esson when he returned from parties, which
in the winter season was not seldom, and I do not recollect a single
instance of Mr. Esson's being, on any such occasion, in a state of
intoxication all the time I lived in his house. That I know that the
said Margaret M'lntrye had frequent differences with Mrs. Campbell^
and was very anxious that Mr. Esson would discharge her (Mrs.
Campbell) from his service; that she, the said Margaret M*Intyre, in
consequence of a quarrel with Mrs. Campbell, abruptly left the hdase
ri
so
one crening, sending in the keys to Mr. Esson or Mr. Gale, wuh a
mes^iage intimating her departare ; that she returned however, without
any invitation, the day following, and resumed her place ; that she had
her mother concealed in the house for several weeks, in the bed-room
aforesaid, as all the servants in the house were aware, without the
consent or even knowledge of Mr. Esson or Mr. Gale; that she would
have been quite willing to continue in her place, bad Mrs. Lanipoeil
been discharged, or could she herself have retained her situation as
house-keeper; and that it was well known to all the servanU in the
house, that her reason for quitting it was that she did not like to accept
the situation of cook, which was oflFered to her upon the departure ot
the aforesaid Bridget Healy; and it is further known to me, that when
Mrs. Campbell proposed to Mr. Esson, for the sake of the peace ot the
house, to resign her sttuation and give place to the said Margaret
M'Intyre, Mr. Esson would not consent, saying that— «' d Margaret
M'lntyre did not like to remain, she might go. ' I hat the said Mar-
garet M'Intyre, after leaving Mr. Esson's house, lived m Montrea
for upwards of a year after; that during said period, I had frequent
opportunities of seeing hnr, and if she had been in a state of pregnancy
it was impossible that it should escape the observation of myself and
many others who had access to see her during the said time. 1 further
declare-that I never saw or heard of any levity or impropriety of
conduct in the said Margaret M'Intyre, during the period of her service
in Mr. Esson's. The foregoing declaration being read to me, 1 declare
that it contains the truth, and I further declare that 1 cannot write or
sign my name.
his
THOMAS + MATHEWS,
mark.
Sworn before me, this 23rd day of November, 1831,
ADAM L. MACNIDER, J. P.
Circular Li
of Scoti
My Dea
impose on i
my clerical
sition alone
involved,
derision cei
instituted b
having been
of them, ai
ceeding in t
to my sci'ut
taken place,
At the ver;
protest on
believing, a
self-interest,
and its revei
he possessec
compatible '
more than t
I entered i
inquiry beei
law of our c
entering on
occupied, a
and, on the
appealing a1
readiness to
and (as I si
coui'se that
course. In
before any I
as they ha'
circular to )
such steps
effective, ai
have in my
and my cm
referred, to
recent infoi
[No. .-]
Circular Letter addressed to the several Rev. Clergymen of the Church
of Scotland, in the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada.
NioNTREAL, 1st ApRIL, 1830.
My Dear Sir,
Recent events, which have unhappily agitated oar church,
impose on me the painful necesoity of requesting an early meeting of
my clerical brethren, in these Provinces, convinced that their interpo-
sition alone can extricate us from the difficulties in which we are now
involved. It is my intention to euhmit to their investigation and
derisiuD certain charges which, originating in a clnndestine inquiry,
instituted by my colleagu< , were brought before the Session, without
having been previously submitted to me, although I demanded a copy
of them, and strongly remonstrated against the injustice of their pro-
ceeding in an inquiry on grounds which were not previously subjected
to my scrutiny. The character of the proceedings, which have since
taken place, you will have an opportunity of estimating for yourself.
At the very commencement of the business, I entered my solemn
protest on the grounds that I had no confidence in my colleague,
believing, as I most sincerely did, that he was actuated by views of
self-interest, and by a wish to otitain exclusive possession of the church
and its revenues. I had every reason to believe, at the same time, that
he possessed an influence over several of the members altogether in-
compatible with the|(end8 of justice, It was, on these grounds, even
more than the incompetency of the Session as a Court of Inquiry, that
I entered my solemn protest. Nay, had those that constituted the
inquiry been a legitimate and competent tribunal, re(:oguized by the
law of our church, I sh luld have felt insurmountable objections to their
entering on such an inquiry, on account of the place which my colleague
occupied, and the influence which he possessed among its members,
and, on that ground, should have felt myself under the necessity of
appealing at once to another tribunal. It was in vain I declared my
readiness to meet them and their charges before any proper tribunal,
and (as I shall prove by incontrovertible evidence) to accede to any
course that was fair -and manly. They determined to pursue their own
course. In declaring myself ready to meet them and their accusations
before any legitimate tribunal of our church, I certainly never intended,
as they have presumed most unwar.tkntably to represent, in a late
circular to you and a number of my brethren, to preclude myself from
such steps for my own vindication as I may deem most prompt and
eflFective, and still less to deprive myself of the only means which I
have in my power of obtaining such an impartial investigation of their
and my conduct, as may enable any tribunal, to which matters may be
referred, to form a correct judgment of the merits of the case. From
recent information, which I have obtained, of the secret designs and
E
ir;:
to doubt, that all my brethren w ^^^hority in terminating the
church thP^ benefit "f J^^^ *';7; J„e that protection which they
present unhappy divisions. ^"^^"rT. "^y peeuUar and embarrassing
alone are ^"'"Pt'^l ^^^S^^^'l "ed S Consolation I have in the
unseemly content.onB ^ ^3 h d "x °f ^ay next Jr the meeting (in
and soliciting the favour of an early answer,
I am, Rev. and Dear Sir,
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) H. ESSON.
A True Copy,
H. ESSON.
{No. .]
Thursday Evening, 9 o'c'lock, 20th May, 1830.
Rev. Sir, , . . • .
In answer to your note of to-day, received this evening, at
• A/«VZocA ourportirglo contain an extract of an adjourned meeting
eight oclocn, purporimg w c conduct surprises me not a
of Session, I have to «ay, that jo". ^^h«'e co H ^^ ^^^^
rbout'^oTck amn";^eoraLt;o"urned me^ of Session,
; fetid oV thtioth. and It 1.4 o'clock, I ^;::^:^-2Xtz;i
to the said communication was ^*^l'^«;*^f ,f* J^n a not; of your leL
were then at home And yet y.^ "t^tyZ^r IfZ M of May ^
received this evening, a* ^SJl'^LZ Snurnedineetimof Smion,
was not deitverea w yva t;.-::- -;,- - — .- - ^
f obtaintng
eaentations
I Dr. Lee.
usion from
ion as will
scions they
iary for me
entertained
to assent to
How myself
(Ford to our
inating the
which they
mbarrassing
have in the
J productive
■niation of a
ce of those
to aeek a
meeting (in
my request,
tU 2 o clock. You will admit that I lost no time in answering your
communication, and your not receiving it in time (if such was the case)
wriod, I mlchs
be called upon to verify part of Mr. Esson's nent, as the circum-
stances respecting it were known to me, the following notes ara taken
when the recollection of every circumstance is yet full and fresh in my
mind; so that, if my testimony shall bt required, I may give it with
more entire satisfaction to myself, and vrithout the least suspicion that
it is in any degree modified by the unual effects of time.
(Signed! ALEX. MATHEISON. ,
On Wednesday, the 19th ot May, 1830, Mr. Esson called at my
house, about half-past eleven o'clock, a.m. and remained till about
half-past one. When Dr. Harkncss desired him to recollect that he
had a meeting of Session to attend, Mr. Esson's words, on leaving the
house, were " I must be off, I would not be late for the world," or
words to that effect. I was under the impreaaion, that Mr. Esson had
L
. * >- -. — *,,
\me\y time to htf at the place of mef tiiig at the appofiitod fioar. 1 ^o
or three times beftire he went away, he reqaested to know what o t «ck
it waa, that he might not be too late. 1 do not at thn time .'•««»»«'^
what was Mr. EsRon's particular bosiiieM at my house, 1 tlunK u waa
to wait on Dr. Havkness. u„..Unoaa
On Thursday, 20th May, 1830, being in company with Dr. Haiknew.
in Sti Gabriel street, saw Mr. Esson and Mr. Leslie comu.j?al»nvr St.
James' street, this was about five minutee before five o/'«ck, pm.
Mr. Esson remained in company witli Dr. Harkness and myselt tm
near six o'clock, perhaps it might be fifteen minutes before six. vy hen
we went into Mr. Esson's house, for the purpose of seetng an extract
of the Minutes of Presbytery, respecting ordination. VV li«*r we weni
into bis room. I saw a letter on his table still unopened, which 1 had
sent to him about three hours before. It was opened by Mr. bssmi,
and partly read in presence of Dr. Harkness and myself. Atter we
had been some minutes in his house, Mr. Esson s servant brings him a
letter; Mr. E^son opened it and read it in our presei.ce, it «'«» t^^J"
the Committee of Sessfon, or Henry Mackenzie; Mr. Esson had shewn
before this time a copy of a letter which he intended to send to H.
Mackenzie, containing an order of Session, if I "-"^""r*"'. '^^'J' *^,
furnish copies of all papers. &c. Was advise.! by Dr. Harkness and
myself, to send it notwithstanding the letter he had just received.
(Signed) ALEX; MATHEISON.
iNo. , .]
Montreal, 26th May, 1830.
Sir,
Your letter, dated Thursday "livening, nine o'clock, 20th instant,
1 duly received with its enclosure, and should not have failed to answer
it immediately, had 1 not deemed it expedient to submit to the con-
sideration of the Session, so precious a specimen of your candour and
r urtesv. I have no hesitation to say of that production, that the
audacity of the alleeations, is only matched by the brutality of the
language. Your readiness to accuse and to prove (in your own way)
I have already experienced, and am not surprised by the present
instance. I took the liberty to shew your letter to the Rev. Dr.
Harkness and the Rev. Mr. Matheison, who, unfortunately for your
credit, are aware of the falsehood of ib« allegations which it contains,
and Mr. Leslie, Dr. Caldwell, and Dr. Robertson are aware, as well
as the above-mentioned gentlemen, of my not being at home upon one
of the occasions, when you say that you can prove that I was. I" ""«
word, there is not a shadow of truth in any of the allegations, which
you so confidently and indiscreetly hazard, so far as ihey go lu im-
peach my v<
present busi
advice of t
questionable
and conduct
your benefi
family to be
ignominy, b
forget, that,
by means ui
To H. Mac
To the Rev
Rev
as all that j
your moral
pointed one
large numbt
style, withe
solid defeni
Were it wit
of the facts
desperately
proof and si
lence. Yoi
" ludaciti/"
20tb instant
was delivert
a certain mc
P.M. of the
(whom I ha
had occasioi
formed me i
at home, am
to you. T
instant, infu
with a loopt
»'nler it ; thj
their preseiK
peach my veracity and honor. In every thing that I have done, in the
present business, it is unfortunate for you that I have acted by the
advice of those, whose integrity your allegations will not render
questionable, and whatever opinion I may have formed of your character
and conduct, I have sufficient good nature to offer you my counsel for
your benefit: — That, as a husband and a father, you owe to your
family to be a little more guarded how you expose yourself to public
ignominy, by wanton and brutal calumnies; and I would not have you
forget, that,. even were your cause good, it is not likely to be advanced
by means unworthy of a good cause or of honest men.
To H. Mackenzie, Esq.
I am. Sir,
Your very obedient Servant,
(Signed) H. ESSON.
[iVb. .]
Montreal, 2Gth May, 1870.
To the Rev. Henry Esson, &c.
Rev. Sir,
Your letter of this date is of the same character and texture
as all that you have written, said, or done, since the impeachment of
your moral character before that congregation of which you were ap-
pointed one of the pastors, and to be its example. It consists of a
* large number of abusive epithets, launched out against me in a fierce
style, without apparent regard to applicability, and also without any
solid defence of yourself or plausible foundation for attack on me.
Were it without the signature, it would be taken by a person ignorant
of the facts to which it alludes, as the production of an angry female,
desperately denying what would be ruin to avow — shrinking from
proof and shrouding the hollowness of her cause in a cloud of turbu-
lence. You will not reason, but let me see in what consists the
" ludacity" of allegation which you impute to me. In yours of the
20tb instant, you say that you did not receive mine of the I9th (which
was delivered at your house, at about half-past twelve o'clock) till after
a certain meeting, which is known to have taken place at two o'clock,
P.M. of the same day. Now, the person who delivered tl.-'t letter
(whom I have known for several years, whose veracity I have never
had occasion to doubt, and whom I am always ready to produce) in-
formed me that the servant, who opened the door, said that you were
at home, and took the letter into the room on her right hand, to deliver
to you. The same woman, bearer of the Elders' letter of the 20th
instant, informed me that she approached the door, when a gentleman
with a looped hat and another gentleman witli yourself were about to
>'nter it: that feeling a delicacy to deliver it to you in the street, in
their presence, she followed you in, and delivered it to a servant girl,
T
§,•.11
I
who opened th. .l»or .nd who went io to give it to y»■'^dl^»^"e
iw „rS.U letter until .fter the meeting, .nd wh.tW yon, m
Si: Nn'ur letter fo. . copy of » M-»^;^;,.'^„/,S "hy'yt
vou specify several persons as ««?*»»'« "'/"^^^^elelrly expedient for
home -on one of those occasions. J*"^ «' J' ^J",^ '"^naf after t,he
that yo.u were out walking w.th htm on ^^^ ^.^g^^J-j.tter tiU after
fication is this of your denying your ';^f;*P;^ «/ *''^\J,^teen m led by
of it, somethinff more than "^^/^J" ^^ „_ „„„ ™„st really,
fo Jng from ^o'^eracious a source, I ought not to doubt U.
I am, Rev. Sir,
With all the respect possible.
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) H. MACKENZIE.
[No. .1
Montreal, 12th June, 1830.
Sm,
-\ err is human. ^^ Sii^ir ^X^ wff 1 ^
the detection and exposure of ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^ „ni attempt to defend,
„ot stoop to cbaracten.e, and ^'^J^^'^J « Jgi,, fa^dnot loved the he
who have been base enough ^« *^'" ;• * iLnchins out afresh the same
hetter than the ^'f J^ J^^ tu^^^^^^^^^ the Uev.gentlem.u
imputations agamst me, have consuu ^^^^^^ ,^^^^j.
to whom 1 .ve»e;-«d you and who ^J J^'^^^^^^^J ,, ^hieh your
--.^frrllt :^etnS, and -«».t ^ave learned fromjh.n
SrToZeiv c^rtai" knowledge, i was nut at nomc .u .»».. -
rould ask
1 as true
that you
r yoa, in
had beJen
jd by yoa
face of it
388101) has
in which
ere not at
edient fur
after the
Lpediency,
wcasioiis"
vsa on the
I the gen-
ald testify
^hat justi-
5r till after
misled by
; at having
you, that
m the face'
lust really,
>, although
ant,
ENZIE.
, 1830.
B yours after
which I shall
pt to defend,
loved the lie
esh the same
3V. gentlemen
brmer letter,
a which your
ed from them
occasions specified by you, when you modestly and discreetly affirm^
that you can prove I was; and alno, that the manteuvering, as you
phrase it, was not on my side. Whether they will vouch as much for,
yours may be doubted. Had you, Sir, been disposed to act fairly and
as became an honest man, you would have done this before you had
ventured to insult me and di«(grace yourself, by such a letter as yours
of the 26th ultiiuo, now before me. The infinite impudence and
audacity of your allegations, in the first instance, rendered it altogether
unnecessary for me to use measured language towards you, and did
not a sense of decency and self-respect forbid, there are no terms which
language can supply, to express the last degree of human depravity,'
that I should think too strong to apply to this repetition of a wilful
falsehood and gratuitous calumny; for I certainly do conceive a wanton
calumniator to be an enemy of society, and should be glad to learn in
what respect he differs from, or is entitled to other treatment than an
assasisin or an outlaw.
I have read or heard. Sir, of a gentleman, who conceived on some
occasion, strong indignation against his pen, because he alleged it was
impossible to write grammar with it; it would be happy for you, in
the present instance, as well as in other late proceedings, if you could
transfer to your pen the guilt which will otherwise be apt to attach to
the holder of it — namely, that it will not write truth. Your reflection
on the impeachment of my moral character, before that congregation
of which I am pastor, comes with a peculiar grace and propriety from
you! That impeachment, let me tell you, will surprise only those who
do not know you, or are ignorant of the prominent part which you
have acted in the whole proce^ i _;^. trom first to last. I am sensible
of many short cqijtiings in my J':'> «:» a minister, and no doubt have, in
common with the best of our apwiies, some imperfections of character,
enough to keep me humble, though not quite enough to allow any
triumph to my enemies. Two errors, I w'll frankly confess to you,
have I committed in the course, of jtny ministry; for which, if I were
not conscious that they bad sprung from good-nature, unsuspeciiii^,
confidence, and the best and kindest intentions on my part, I siiould
feel profound remorse at this hour. The first, and the only one to
which I have occasion to allude at present, was when I refused to
listen to the protest of those three Elders elect, who foresaw the mis-
chiefs which your admission into the Eldership would produce to the
church ; and when I lent a too incredulous ear to their declaration,
that you were a man devoid of honour and principle, and who had
contracted snch an in^^eterate habit (marvellous to relate!) of maneu-
vering and low intrigue, that, if admitted into the Session, you would
not only disgrace the church, but keep it in perpetual agitation; how well
the event has corresponded with the prediction, it is as needless for me
to affirm as for you to deny. And now, Sir, that there may be up
subterfuge, and no place left for your sophistry and chicane, in the
present case, I tell you that I have showed your last letter to the Itev.
Mr. Mathieson, who authorizes me to state, that if yo« ««« meet to
inquire of him, he is ready to afford you such evidenrc as will conrhive
•1
H
you (if that be poasible) that your allegations or snspiciona are altogether
void of any foundation in truth. 1, therefore, henceforth decline all
farther correspondence with you on this subject, and shall make no
apology for omitting to express with what sentiments
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
To H. Mackenzie.
(Signed) H. ESSON.
iNo. .]
Montreal, Uth June, 1830.
Rev. Sir,
Your second letter of the \Zth instant, is in strict consonance
with not only your former ones, but with the whole course of that
conduct which has given rise to it. In other words, no one could have
imagined that it had proceeded from a clergyman, had they not known
by his preceding conduct, of what that clergyman could be guilty.
Such persons would be under no surprise that you, accused of " low
intrigue" by a variety of pretexts, subterfuges, and chicane, should
shun the investigation you pretended to court, and should, when pro-
fessing explanation, substitute for facts and argument the vilest abuse,
and should descend so low as to use epithets by which you have
disBgured your letter and disgraced — no, acted consistently with
yourself. " Lie, impudence, audacity, assassin, and outlaw," are but
a few of the expressions that proceed from the lips of one, assuming
the name of a man of God, of an anointed pastor, and of a meek,
humble promoter of peace. But this is, in fact, nothing else than the
result of my performance of my duty, as Session Clerk and an Eider
of that congregation which you recklefisly destroyed, by sullying^ the
purity of the pulpit and of the ministerial character, and by your deeds
proclaiming aloud to its youth the harmlessness of a free indulgence of
their carnal passions.
Had the Elders suffered your conduct, in despite of every evidence
against it, to remain unexamined, I would not this day have been the
object of your abuse; but because I have acted conformably to my
duty, with the majority of the Session urged on that examination from
which you have shrunk, you represent me as every thing vile. The
indignation of innocence unjustly accused is, however, far different from
the undaunted denial of habitua^ vice, and you will fail to excite either
in me or any of the congregation a sympathy, which would be equally
absurd in them and unapplicable to you. Far be it from me, either
by word or act, to hurt in the least the feelings of any man, much less
of a clergyman; but I would refer it to any unbiassed person (ac-
quainted with the proceedings relating to the desired investigation of
your conduct, and with your letters during our present correspondence)
" to decide whether I had not a right to consider you as " maneeuvering,"
gf)(| tA p^nrpaa mv nnini»^*
Jot been actuated by any personal feelings V*'^*'^' ^'/k T'ir JZ
ml who judge of men's fidlings by their actums rather than their ^
IKi,, the case with some of you, I will not say all, appears very
different, and I am not singular in that opinion. ;„forminir
The subject is not exhaused, however, I will conclude by mformmg
vou that I shall not attend your meeting to-day. ^„i<^„„
^ Fin-Lfiecause, as statefi in a former letter, I ^^ «°* ««J;*«^^tn
that you, of yourself, possess the power of convening the K»rk beswon.
SMond-Supposiig you had that power, or that the Session were
reguTarWconvIed and constituted, the subject to be brought under
consideition, I consider altogether above »;« J«"«<*^'=*;«"- , ,. ••
Besides I have no desire to see and hear a repetition of the dis-
graS and drsgusting scenes which I have more than once witnessed,
within the last fifteen months, in our ill. fated .chuich.
I am, Rev. Sir,
Your very obedient Servant,
THO. BLACKWOOD.
The Rev. Edward Black.
Statement
ings re^
Montreu
matter.
The Co
of propriet
days befor
attend a m
the elders,
attending,
have gone
sent witho
attended o
At the I
chair ; aft
and which
meeting,
as chairmi
and they ^
therefore <
been, not
H. Esson
of the chi
and give i
arrangemi
a proceed
honesty a
persisted
name app
tious. I
Black too
has since
and appr(
Them
1830, cla
ItwiU
that after
by them,
cember
" membe
ly, in ir
meeting
Anotheif
January-
comraitt<
tions.
and the (
of 'proTpr
disconce
Statement by Thomas Blackv -od, of vanuus meetings and proceed-
ines regarding the affairs of the church in St. Gabriel street,
Montreal ;— in addition to what he has formerly stated on these
nn&tlcr •
The Committee of Temporalities of said Church called a meeting
of proprietors of pews to take place early i January 1827. Some
days before I received a note, without signafure, requesting me to
attend a meeting in the evening at the house of Mr. Carswell, one of
the elders,— some other engagfcment would have prevented me irom
attending, but, considering any private meeting improper, I should not
have gone there, even had I been disengaged. Accordmgly I was ab-
sent without sending any apology. I never enquired nor heard who
attended or what was done at that meetmg. „ , .u
At the meeting in the church in January 1827, I was called to the
chair ; after which several resolutions were read by Dr. Stephenson
and which were intended to be separately put to the vote at «aid
meeting. After much discussion, in which I took a part though acting
as chamnan, the Doctor was induced to withdraw these resolutions
and they were not entered m the minutes of proceeding. I cannot
therefore quote the words, but had they passed the effect ^^ >u\d have
been, not indeed to dissolve the spiritual connecUon between the re vd.
H. Esson and his congregation ; but to take from him all the revenue
of the church, after paying the allowance to the revd. I. Somerville,
and give it to the revd. E. Black, under a pretence of some verbal
arrangement which was to annul a solemn written agreement, buch
a proceeding I considered would have been so gross a violation ot
honesty and good faith on the part of the proprietors, that, had it been
persisted in, I had determined to leave the chair, rather than have my
name appear on record as having proposed these shametu resolu-
tious. I have.no direct nor positive information of the part that Mr.
Black took in this matter, but from what I knew at the tiirte, and what
has since come to my knowlege ; there can be no doubt that he knew
and approved of these proceedings.
The meetings which took place in the church in January and b eby.
1830, claim some attention. „,,,»,, j ^ u
It will be seen, by the printed report of Mr. Black and five elders,
that after the •' Enquiry," (more properly the nwck Trial,) instituted
by them, had been concluded and sentence passed, on the 16th De-
cember 1829, they were very desirous to have a meeting ot the
•' members of the congregation," to receive a report &c. , but evident-
ly, in my mind, to homologate or confirm their sentence. Ihe
meeting of the 7th January failed in attainmg the desired object
Another attempt was made to have a similar meetmg on the 25th
January— but this meeting, thanks to the energy of the temporal
committee, turned out quite different from their wishes and expecta-
tions. The committee refused to allow any one to dictate to them
and the other proprietors of pews ; and accordingly called a meetaig
of proprietors for that day. The proceedings at this meeting sorely
disconcerted the plan e f the " committee of session,"^nd m my opi-
1.11 lu
(ml reaaons " These reasons I never hefird any ot inem »«. ,
JXesB at then., wiU^out th. -d £orc.ry n^^^^^^^^^
Buit the purpose they had m vjew, wluch ^«^ ^^-.^t^*"^^ ^^^f ^esolu-
from the Investigation .f truth! I «^''";''^'t?^^iy ^orjed, not as an
tion passed at this meeting, that it was ^^f^^'^J^J^f^^^ their
acquital. for the meeting never *«^«P^f *\P;7;j„„;?^^
was numerously and respectably attended ^he J^^^^^^^^^^ ^^J^
and orderly conducted -f ^^^ J^^^^^^^^^^^^ atfended
and more impertial than the elders wnosigii ^^en the resolutions
the long investigation from ^ep^ng to end, and, whe«
were finally put. there was «»*/ J^'^^^^iL'^J^rrfrom ^ These
them nor the others who amended a^5P«^^*;;^ Xs besides myself.
facts may, if "f «-^f "T^ be at ested by many tn^^
I have spoken of a i)/an adopted by the c«mnuttee ^ings.
was very apparent to any person acquainted witnin j ^ ^^
As an example I shall atate that ^wo of^heir noUces ^^^^
No. 43, calling meetings f^^^.^^^.o that both sexes, also
were printed and sent round the °^J»;f *" ed to fall, had the benefit
boys and girls, into whose h"^^^^,^;^;^^^"'? ou/^^^^^^ was to be
no answer to explain or excuse their conduct on that occasion
notice No. 43. might excite comtempt and laughtei^^wer^^^ ^^^
its malignity and evil tendency. Here are ftve^^^^^^s^^
members of the congregation, ^^^^^.i"*^.^^^^^^ advice &c. !
and unlearned, to favour them ^^^^J^./j^^^^^°P^^^^^^ public peace,"
What! these " spuitua officers" and g™n'^^i^^^ J ^^
as they have latey styled themsd^^^^^^^^
opmion and advice ot the very Per«"» „ , ^ ^^^ committee
and be guided by their opinion and advice L "adj^^j^^ . .^
■ of sessi^ been fully aware that ^ll^^^^' ^Z:^^ZnlceA they
up their charges would not bear a ^cruVny, 1 am
would have taken the proper course, ^X consulting i ^ j%^
man in both Provinces and requesUng them U> ^ee* «i
the purpose, as they ^'^ -^«" ^^ JJ^^^^^^^ intimated his
Instead of which, when Mr. ^^^^n "^^^Irs wrote circular letters
intention of calUng such a meeting th« ^"'^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^g',, jslo. 66)-In
i« »h« rpvrl. Brethren to prevent that meeting. J^^*:\ '^
which 'they, with unparallelled effrontery, give a lui.c H'-at^.n ...m
i^
Lee' a
result
I— that
ibstan-
ite, but
did not
ifferent
resdlu-
it as an
ig their
It of the
censur-
ve were
grossly
jec No.
meeting
egularly
, greater
itiended
lolutions
ir among
. These
1 myself,
this plan
eedings.
>. 31 and
Bgation,"
xes, also
le benefit
was to be
mdal was
jers, at a
they gave
u. The
it not for
Lsking the
n, learned
vice &c. !
ic peace,"
solicit the
ip to them
committee
y trumped
inced they
ler clergy-
ontreal for
i ordained,
timated his
ular letters
5. 65)— In
tation from
^r. Esson's protest of 8th December 1829. (See the correct
^rrer^^rUng^^f !^Lbers of the c^^-g^Xto^^^^" ^^
other proprietors, and after some verbal f ^l^^^^^i^^^^rZ e^*
to secU them. But when the meeUng took place U w
jr po^eT roiuLl;f^^^^^ s^-bJi^st s:s:al^^^^^^^^
Opinion. Mr. A. Porteous took the chair, ^^"^ ^^^^^^^^ P,ection.
at a private meeting, for I did not ^^Berve any^^i^ ke ^ J ^^^
I then told the chairman, m the hearmg ^/^J^^rbu^ would remain to
mean to vote nor take any part m the FO<^«5<*'"e;J"* ^^'^ say it is a
L what was done, from curiosity. This being ^ej^ ^i done
violent „^srepresentation,(not to use a h^^^?^^*^^^^^^^^ Z meet-
in the minute of proceediug. No. 63, ^^^^ ™* J*^^/"^^, , ^^ by Mr.
ing aad the motion made were approved of by^ P^*^^;!;'^; J Pushed
EJson, except Mr. John Fisher ^^."^„^^; V.^^.Vr^d . anend
reading his paper, the business of themeetmg was c »», '^^ « ^
;;T^aiL^ and some others, -^-^S^^ ^^ ^^^.^b^
refused to hear certain explanations or 'f^^^^ions w _.^^^^
wished to give, of what Mr. Black ^^^^^^^rj^^'^/e Sg a^^^^^^^
!;-l-:^Srfpri;^Sa^^u^
rwThelS^^e^^eX^;^^^^^^^^^^^
the business for which that meeting wa« ^^^^"^^^alions and rmarks
I beg leave to notice, m passing, that the ^^^^7^*"^^„3ations and
read on different occasions by Mr. ^sson upon the accusaU ^^
oroceedinas against him, never purported to be ^« 3" V ^j
'er^neotf, s^ted by the committee of ---"^^'^^^^^^
on his guard, having been cautioned agamst us>ngj9^ ^^^^j^^ ^^ the
might have been construed into ««/^"^*«f;**" *"4^'^^^^^^^^
c<:^gregation had the nght -^ a^th^^^^^ tZ^^J 'of sessio.
Tv^rure^a^rdtUiLn^^^^^ .irei^'krcHaif cSi:s
ceedmgs were only an f nqiwy uu ^ Ericomi$im on
SS^'cS W STa. » • ff Lr^ill^r ch«.ge Ae nature of
tha character oj •'WJ- ^/^ pLracter of the proceedings earned on by
these papers, nor »lter the chaiucte'^ol jne p,^^.^^ j^ pertinacity !
them for iieaiiy two yuuio, mt.i -.r.^ = .•
>i-?-
w.
While on this topic I must notice a great absurdity occurs several
times in the proceedings of the Committee of Session ; namely, they
call upon Mr. Esson or expect that he is to disprove their accusations,
fVhile at the same time they omit to specify the time and place with
sufficient precision to enable him to prove an alibi. They must un-
derstand that every man is presumed innocent until his guilt be proved
before a competent tribunal, it being impossible-to prove a negative
except by an alibi, from which they have effectually pr«3cluded him ;
and therefore if they fail in their proof, they must abide the conse*
quences " of being censured as slanderers."
Having mentioned the sentence of deprication, I must shew the
correctness of that expression. The committee of session in one of
their resolutions, passed on the 16 December 1829, merely say that
they could not assist the revd. H. Esson &c. particularly in " dis-
" pensing the sacrament of the Lords supper." But aft^irwards they
adopt a different and higher tone ; for the revd. E. Black in his printed
circular of 16th Februaiy 1821, adressed to the members of the
church (see no. 130) in speaking of the revd. H. Esson says, " he
" knows full well the session have distinctly told him that, as matters
" at present are, they caimot give their consent to his dispensing
" so solemn an ordinance, or even to his assisting at it." And af-
terwards he says the session will " use their utmost endeavours to
" prevent it." The import of the last sentence was not very obvious
at *he time, but the proceedings in March last have made it quite
clear ! And at a meeting of members of session convened by Mr.
Esson on 2d February 1831 (see No. 103 & 104) the majority
present voted against his even constituting the session ! Now it is
part of the laws for the -Aiscipline and government of the Scottish
Church (which Mr. Black can quite when he chuses,) that, " during
" the dependence of a process against a mbister, a presbytery is not
" entitled either to suspend him, or to prevent him from dispensing the
" ordinances of religion in his parish." (See Dr. A. Hill's practice
page 63,) Mr. Esson has been prevented by some members of the
session from dispensing these ordinances, and I am therefore war-
ranted in my reference that they have passed sentence of suspension
on him, if not of deprivation !
What Mr. Black said in church on the 13th February 1831 (See
No. 125) was delivered in such an intemperate, I may say furious,
manner, as alarmed some v/omen and children and disconcerted the
whole congregation. Such conduct, added to the remarkable printed
circular, «'as well calculated tc e';cite the feelings of the congregation
and prepare tlie minds of his adherents to take part in the disgraceful
proceedings of shuting up the church !
On the forenoon of Sunday the 4th July 1830, I was rather sur-
prised to hear Mr. i,lack announce l'rt;m the pulps', that there would
be no service in the aitemoon of the following Sunday as he would be
out of town. Mr. Estion was at Lachine that forenoon and I had no
opportunity of speaking to him until the afternoon service was over.
He then put into my hands a note from Mr. Black requesting him to
(jiyji f\55^ fi^fi qurjip_ jntimjition in th^ af\ernoon; which he had not cons-
plied with. Mr. Esson requested me to call on Mr. Black and state
to him the
on Monda
home on 1
next Sund
forenoon, i
Mr. Black
why he si
effect ; my
purpose of
from Mr, J
I beg le
Mr. Black'
No. 90) B
that meetin
session, an
misrepresei
ing of Mr,
papers No.
Montreal
(Copy of ]
Resolved,
1. That,
tain, the rul
being the oi
2. That
tions) meml
" denomina
the laws oft
government
3. That,
against the
offences ags
report, be cf
Scotland, be
the present
censure or p
4. That, '
defence, it wi
therefore de<
which we hi
believe he hi
tence on hin
My Dear Sii
I ref
within these
to him the reasons for declining to comply with his request. I called
on Mondayr but Mr. Black was out of town ; however, I met him at
home on Tuesday and stated that Mr. Esson intended to be at home
next Sunday, and meant to preach in the afternoon, as well as the
forenoon, and therefore he had not given out the desired intimation.
Mr. Black said that he did not know what right Mr. Esson had oi
why he should mterefere, with his turn of duty— or words to that
ettect ; my reply was to this purport— that my visit was not for the
froKr'^Esr"^^'"^ ^"^** questions, but merely to deUver a message
I beg leave to correct a misrepresentation in the proceedings of
No^'S^mT'" •'"i^'i 29th May 1830. (See printed pipers
^o 90) Mr. Esson and I are there represented as having voted at
that meeting ; but the truth is, we did not acknowledge it to be a kirk
session, and refused to vote /or or against the resolutions. A similar
misrepresentation occurs with respect to my conduct at another meet-
ing ot Mr. Black's session on the 29th September 1S30. (See printed
TiiT . 1 o,« 1 o . Thos. Blackwood,
Montreal, 27th September 1831.
(Copy of Resolutions intended to be offered to the Meeting on 16th
February 1830.)
Resolved,
1. That, as proprietors of tLis church, we will adhere to, and main-
tain, the rules and regulations thereof, which we have subscribed • as
being the only means of securing our property in the church. '
2. That the proprietors of the church being (with very few excep.
tioas) members of the church of Scotland, '« properly so called and
"denominated and known to be such," are consequently bound by
the laws of that church in all matters of doctrine, discipline and church
government.
3. That, as by the laws and canons of the said church, all charges
against the ministers thereof must be tried by a Presbytery (except
offences against the criminal law of the land) and may, m the last
resort, be carried, by appeal, to the general assembly of tiie church of
{Scotland, being the supreme ecclesiastical judicatory ; it follows that
the present meeting is altogether incompetent to acquit, condemn,
censure or pronounce sentence upon their pastors.
4. That, were this meeting to hear the revd. Edward Black in his
defence, it would imply and be assuming the p^wer to try him, we
therefore decline entering upon the investigation of a matter over
which we have no jurisdiction, either to give him relief, should we
believe he has oeen mjustly accused, or to pass any censure or sen-
tence on him were we even convinced that he is culpable.
A true copy.
Thos. Blackwood.
Monti-eal, 7 November 1831.
My Dear Sir,
I return you the printed narrative of the events that have
within these few years agitated the congregation of the .'5cotch church
Ji
in St Gabriel street, together with Mr. Blackwood manuscript state-
ment dated 27th September 1831.
Both these papers I have read with great attention and as far ae
my name is mentioned in your narrative I can vouch for the corectness
of the statenents, and also bear testimony to the accuracy of Mr.
Blackwood in relating the circumstances that occured at the meeting
in January 1827, 7th, 25th January 1330. At the peiiod vhe other
• — " ' :_ iQoi *^«i, „i»«^ 1 was absent
in ^miu«u7 *«*., .«M —-January 1330. Atttiepe
meeting in 1830 and occurrences in 1831 took place, I
from town.
I am my dear Sir
Very faithfully your
J. Leslie.
Revd. Henry Esson, . „. , , , , _. i
To the four Ministers of the Scottish Church who have undertaken
to arbitrate between the Revd. Henry Esson and the Revd.
Edward Black.
Reverend Gentlemen, „ , , t- ^
In examining this case you will find that my name frequenUy
occurs, as one of the elders of their church ; and I therefore beg leave
to address you a few remarks and explanations with some further
evidence, in addition to what already appears in the proceeding^.
My letter to the members of the kirk session, giving reasons tor
not acting with them, in which Mr. Leslie concurred, is termed m
their proceedings a protest ; for the purpose, it would seem, of giving
more weight to their objections against receiving it- These objec-
tions are stated with all the formaUty and mock^dtgmty of a legally
constituted court that had authority and power to try the question be-
fore them and to pronounce sentence, which they actually did, m the
form of resolutions, and have never since ceased to urge the congre-
gation to assist them in executing that sentence. One of their ob-
Tections is, that initial letters are used in place of giving the names at
fuH length. These initials are perfectly well known and understood
by those to whom the letter is addressed ; but now that it is printed (a)
and will go into other hands, it is proper to mention that the Reverend
James Somerville is designated by S. the revd. Henry Essou by E.
and the revd. Edward Black by B. One reason stated m the letter is
for the sake of brevity ; but there is also another very good reason,
namely, that this mode of stating a case, as between A. and B., bas a
tendency to withdraw the feelings and attention of the writer and his
readers from the in, as it were, to the right understanding
of the proceedings so long carried on by a majority of the session.
T. B.
At a meeting of the committee of management of the Scottish
church, Montreal, held 10th November 1825, to inquire into the
state of the church funds, with a view to paying the stipends of the
Ministers : —
Present the tohole Comviillec,
It was resolved, 1st. That to enable a minister of the Scottish
church, in a town like Montreal, to move in that sphere of respecta-
bility which becomes his office, an annual stipend of no: less than
three hundred pounds is, in the opinion of this committee, requisite.
2d. That by the records of this church, it appear, that the surplus
revenue thereof (after paying the annuity of the reverend Mr. Som-
merville and other current expenses) was, after the 1st of January
1825, to be applied to the payment of, and to be shared equally by,
the reverends Messrs. Esson and Black.
3d. That this committee lament to find that such surplus revenue,
instead of being (as must have been at one time contemplated) suffi-
(c) Sec Mr. Blnck's printed papers No. OJ.
E
i> i
f
cient for the stipends of two ministers, will hardly do more than make
a suitable provision for on t.
4th. That it would, at tho present time, be highly inexpedient to
attempt to encrease the revenue by au additional cess upon pews
already toe dear ; a measure that might occasion the loss of many
valuable members of the congregation w ho might be driven by it to
quit the church for r:«jiher, where pews can be got at a much less
rate of rent.
6th. That except by ceonsent of these two reverend gentlemen,
this committee cannot take upon themselves, uor do they pretend, to
alter, or set aside this rule of she church for the disposition of its funds.
6th. That in the opinion of this coiiimittee, one clergyman (the
whole of whose time and attention shall be devoted to the object) is
fully adequate to all the duty of th« Church ; an opinion which the re-
cord of duty for the past year and exhibited by the registers, irlsices
them to form.
7th. That the committee would, under such circumstances, crave
leave to suggest to the reverend Messrs. Est on and Bl?/ k. that as
the church srannot pay two clergymen — and ui til govt snj.ient make
the expected provision for ministers of the Scottish church in this
country — a necessity exists for one taking the erttire duty i»>on him.,
receiving all ihe money that may reiaiin at the disposal of the com-
mittee aftei . aying the rt vcv rid annuitant, and making to his br<.thtv
minister a certain alio vvu.' as a compensation for the unexpected
(though it is hoped but teiri <-.-ai'>) 'oss of IL^ living-
8th. That tbr> secretary do ^esi- ! ;. topy o! the foregoing resolutions
to each of the reverend geiitloi . , with a copy of the ren^^^ roll of the
church, and a request thai ih)y wo\M take the matter into early con-
sideration, and report to iIk; committee their views upon it, in order
that the monies in the hands of the Treasurer may be forthwith either
divided in the way originally iutended, or disposed of in the manner
i)OW suggested by tl.e commitiee.
A true copy from the minutes,
C. Tait,
Secy. Com. of Church.
(Copy letter E. Black to H. MacKenzie, Esquire.)
Dear Sir,
The unpleasant situation in which I am at present placed,
will I trust, be a sufficient apology for the liberty I take in addressing
you. You are well aware of the way in which I became connected
with the Scottish church, and that no influence, either direct or indi-
rect was ever used br me to become one of the ministers of that
church. A v.all however was made put for me, and I was told that it
was the unanimous vnsh of all concerned that I should acci pt of it —
at the same time a bond was given me fyr payment of iS230 per
annum for two years, signed by three most respectable individuals,
and when difficulties f\ro8C with the members the committee about
signing my call (which I certainly was led to believe would not have
arisen) I satisfied them by expressly stating, that at the ond of two
years I did not consider the church bound to nie for any stipend,
without a future provision being first made for me by the proprietors
of the church, as will appear from my letter in the committee book
of date 25th December. This difliently being got over, I thought
that nothmg would occur to prevent a speedy ordination, but when my
brethren assembled for taking this matter into consideration, they found
that they could not proceed, according to the rules of the church, without
a permanent fund, however small being provided for me, and that they
woiifd then ordain me as assistant and successor to Mr. Somerville.
Mi. Esson obviated the difficulty by giving over to me a permanent
secu. ii,^ of £B0 on the Pew rents, and had no objections to my ordi-
nation on dn; way proposed. This agreement was sent to the
general m .t ( tug, and Mr. Leslie one of Mr. Esson friends, moved as
an aiP.endn.Cittj that I should be ordained assistant and successor to
Mr. Somprvala, but that at his desire I should be considered as col-
league to Mr. Esson and joint minister of the church. To this I
could not possibly object, as it would have been great presumption in
me ever to have thought of taking precedence of Mr. Esson, tut as in
thi? arrangement nothing was said of my temporal provision (and my
bond exleads only for two years) I thought it proper to state that I
would more readily agree to it, if at the expiration of the two years,
or at the demise of Mr. Somerville, the half of the church funds,
however small, would be appropriated, so far as they would go, equally
to the support of both — Mr. Esson would not agree to this arrange-
ment, and insisted that he should first be paid out of the funds iS300
per annum, and that the remainder, if any, should come to me, or
that I should be provided for in the way I am at present — or in other
words that he should be made sure of his Uving, and that I should be a
burden on the people. I then mentioned, I believe in your presence
that I was anxious and willuig to say nothing on this point until the
expiring of my bond, and that then I should leave the matter with the
greatest confidence, to the committee, with the understanding that the
sum taken from the church, should be equally appropriated to both
and that no bond in the mean time should be given to Mr. Esson.
The meeting could not come to any agreement and it was adjourned
till to-morrow ; I think it proper to send you this statement, in order
that no misconstruction may be put on any part of m ' behaviour —
I ask nothing for two years, and at the end of that time [)rovided my
ministration are acceptable to the people, I only ask what, in enuity
and justice should be granted, and what is equally necessary for my
own respectability, and for that of the church, whose devotion I con-
duct — I leave the matter to the meeting at large, and whatever be
their decision, it is both my duty and my inclination cheerfully to
submit to it.
I require that you will have the goodness to communicate this to
the meeting, provided no arrangement take place previously between
Mr. Esson and myself.
I am with much respect,
Z. Henry MacKenzie, Esq. ) ' E. B.
February, 1823 i
«
(i
My Dear Sir,
Situated as I at present, aru I have, thought proper to send a
.statement of all the proceedings connected with me and the Scotish
church to Henry MacKenzie Esqr. in order to prevent any thing like
misconstruction on any part of my beheavour. Enclosed 1 have sent
you a copy of that letter, and from it you will see what after the expiry
of two years, 1 ask nothing, provided that you and I are colleagues
in that church, but what is equitable and just. I think no person
can say, that by doing so, I am actuated by improper motives, or by
hostility towards you. I am desirous that we should both be ministers
m that church, and you are spared to the end of two years that wc
should stand on a sure footing. If an arrangement takes place bet-
ween you and me, much unpleasant feeling may be spared tomorrow.
Believe me my dear Sir.
Most sincerly your
Edward Black.
Tuesday half past 4 o'Clock, Feby. 1823.
I have been informed this moment that a deputation of two of your
friends is to wait on me at 6 o'Clock this evening, yet nevertheless
I think it proper to send the enclosed letter. E. B.
Montreal, 16 November 1825.
My Dear Sir,
In consequence of a request contained in a letter from the
committee of the church, of the 11th instant, I now write to you, and
beg to lay before you my sentiments on the subject of that letter, and
I tiust that you will in return, do the same to me — I have to regret
that any difficulty in the way of money matters should have occuired,
and the more so as I see no great chance of its being soon surmounted.
4s I have no wish to throw any unnecessary difficulty in the way I
hope that, terminate how matters may, no blame can be attached to me.
It would appear from the statement of the funds of the church sub-
mitted to me that, after paying Mr. Somerville's annuity the largest
sum at the committee's disposal is je326, that this sum they wish to
be paid in to the hands ef any one of the clergyman who will promise
to take on himself the whole duty of the church, and that He is to
make arrangements with the one who is temporarily to retire from the
active duty. As you are the senior acting clergyman, it is| surely
but just, that you should have it in your power to say which of the al-
teraatives you will choose— If then it be your wish to take upon
yourself the whole duty of the church, I am willing to take from you a
certain sum out of the £326, afterwards to be specified, and to retire
from all duty, provided my doing so meets the wishes of the congre-
gation generally. If on the other hand you think that it will be more
for your advantage not to take on yourself the whole duty of the
church I am equally willing to do so, and to pay you out of the £326
a certain sum afterwards to be specified, on your retiring from all
active duty. As matters are at present in an unsettled state, it would
not be fair for either party to let any arrangements at present cntircd
mto be binding for a longer period than two years.
This is ti
to you, am
man, and 1
I have to r
carliste con
the commit
The Revd.
(Copy lettei
Dear Sir,
I wasf
of the Scot
quence of a
to communi
resolutions,
you will ha\
your own c(
Some daj
wrote a lette
Friday last,
of it to whic
of the letter
instant.)
I have thj
would have :
pressed his i
as you will i
that the rec(
beg leave to
the resolutic
dation solely
we could no
have resulte
reason to fe;
regarding th
duct, and t
of some wh(
liarity of my
In these
wisdom the)
secured for
wholy to (ho
This is tho only plan which, after mature consideration I can submit
to you, and the only one which seems to be lair towards the clergy-
man, and likely bo promote the respectability of the congregation
I have to request that you will favor me with your answer, at your
carllste convenience, as I cannot, until receipt of it, communicate to
the committee what I have dowe.
Believe my Dear Sir,
Very truly your
Edw. Black.
The Revd. Henry Essou.
rifl
(Copy letter E. Black to Henry_^V.,Kenzie, Esquire, President of
the Comi.^tee.)
Montreal, 24th November, 1825.
Dear Sir,
I was favored with the receipt of the resolutions of the committee
of the Scotch Church bearing date the 10th instant ; and in conse-
quence of a note from the Secretary, of the same date, requesting me
to communicate to you any answer I might have 'to return to said
resolutions, I now trouble you with the following, and requeste that
you will have the kindness to lay the same before the committee at
your own convenience.
Some days after receipt of tlxe resolutions of the 10th instant, I
wrote a letter to Mr. Esson, of which the following is a copy ; and on
Friday last, in a conversation I had with him offered to alter any part
of it to which he might have objections— (here follows an exact copy
ofthe letter sent by E. Black to the redv. H. Esson, on the 16th
instant.)
I have this mornuig received an answer to the above letter, and
would have furnished you with a copy of it, had not Mr. Esson ex-
pressed his indention of communicating the same to the committee
as you will see from the tenor of that communication, it is not likely
that the recommendation of the committee can be put in force, 1 now
beg leave to commit the matter entirely into their hands. I regarded
the resolutions ofthe committee in the light of a friendly recommen-
dation solely for the consideration of Mr. Esson and myself, and that if
we could not come to a mutual agreement, that at least no harm could
have resulted from them— but in place of this being the case, I have
reason to fear that the agitation ofthe matter has given rise to surmises
regarding the purity of my motives and the ingenuousness of my con-
duct, and that it has had the effect of lowering me in the estimation
of some whose good opinion I could not but be anxious, from the pecu-
liarity of my situation, both to obtain and to preserve.
In these circumstances, I leave the committee to do what in their
wisdom they may think fit. If a suitable support can be made and
secured for me, I am both willing and anxious to devote myself.
if Huch u .siipport cannot,
E*
(1 "I
Iff
wholy in (ho interests of the Con"'re"'Ht!Qri :
r
un(l( existing circumstances be offered to mc, I am also willing to
enter on terms with the Committee, and in the Event of their being
acceeded to, i j resign my present charge, and to give no further
trouble. All I ask ol' you is, that whatever is to be d< ne, it may be
done without delay — I emplore you to do something ; for the last
eighteen months 1 have received but a comparative trifle for my ser-
vices, and in consequence of this my pecuniary embarra sment are
now such as cannot much longer be concealed.
I have the honor to be.
Dear Sir,
YifVr obedient serv.
(Signed.) Eew. Black.
Henry MacKinzie, Esquire, lo hp i
communicated to the Coniinitlee. )
Dear Sir,
I beg leave to furnish you , ith the above, a copy of a letter 1
have sent to the President of the Committee, and am
¥oiir ♦ •-!"
, EdW. i^LACK.
To the Revd. H. Essson, )
Thursday Evening. j
Montreal, 25th November 1825.
My Dear Sir,
I regret ♦ho* the proposal whic»: you have made to me and
which appears to be the same, with that s jggested by the committee,
in their late communication to us, is one, which I am unable to place
in any point of view, that would warrant me to embrace either .of the
atternatives which it presents. To retire and give up any part of the
emoluments, which I now derive from the church is what, in my
present circumstances, neither justice nor prudence will admit, and
even were my circumstances more independant, than they certainly
are, it is a course, which I should feel extremely unwiUing to adopt.
As to your retiring, even admitting that the congregation should be
" disposed to dispense wiih your pastoral services for a seasit, doubtle; at
my own expense, and were 1 therefore to close with ti.\u. proposal, the
consequence is plain, that I should be involved in that embarrassment
and indigence from which, it is the object of the plan, .o deliver us.
In both cases so far as I am concerned, the rem'^'lv proposed would be
worse than the evil to te remedied, and until son ^ec y of an ade-
nuite and permanent provision is made, I am b id, duty to my
family, to i
a dcticient
whatever s
part, were
cmbarrassi
which I an
duty. It i
in the com
you, what
I can not r
only at the
if any mea
long as I a
manner noi
ofiice, I n
and I woul(
place the
present uni
cate a cop)
To the Rei
I certify
letter of 25
Dear Sir,
Encloi
the Preside
to be place
'■• appearai
the acting' r
is scarely s
whatever
ingenuousu
not bee , n
Lamentii
To the
H.
Dear Sir,
A' the
my tern, ora
take th< iib«
t'l it you wil
nience, to ti
billing to
sir being
3 further
t may be
the last
my ser-
Hient arc
rv.
•LACK.
a letter 1
(lack.
1825.
> me and
)mmittee,
3 to place
termor the
lart of the
at, in my
Imit, and
certainly
to adopt,
should be
, and that
iplies the
ary w' '»
d be able
jelher dc-
ly annuity
;onK"- as is
minister.
)on me, I
Libtle!' ; at
)osal, the
rrassment
leliver u.s.
1 would be
tf an ade-
itv to mv
family, to use such honourable means as may be requisite to supply
a deficient income. I owe it to you and to the committee to state that,
whatever sacrafice might be reasonably expected to be made, on my
part, were my circumstances independent, in order to relive tho present
embarrassments of the church, would under the circum -es in
which I am actually placed, be neither sanctioned by prud nor
duty. It is unnecessary for me to say more, on this topic, a- . have,
in the course of our conversation on the subject, frankly i vplumed to
you, what relates to my private'affaires. Permit me to add that though
I can not make those sacrafices on my side which could relieve you,
only at the expence of unbarrassing myself, I shall cordially rejoice,
ifany means can be devised to make your income adequate, and so
long as I am enabled to provide for the deficiency of my own, in a
manner not discreditable in itself, nor inconsistent with the sacried
office, I neitl expect nor ilosire any augmentation of my dividend
and I would fam hope that the liberality of the government will speedily
place the church on a more respectable footing, and make up the
present unfortunate deficiency of the income. I intend to communi-
cate a copy of this reply to the committee.
And remain my Dear Sir,
Very truly your
_ „ H; EssoN.
To the Revd. E. Black.
I certify that the preceding two pages contain a true copy of my
letter of 25th Novemb*^ r 1825. '. Esson.
Montreal, 6th December, 1826.
Dear Sir,
Enclosed is a copy of i letter I intend to send to Mr. Porteous,
the President of the Committee of the Church — I am extremely sorry
to be placed in a situation that should have, even the semblance of
'.; appearance of < oming in contact with your interests. As one of
the acting ministers of thf church all I wish is, to have what
is scarely sufficient to -iippori h, espectability of the situation
whatever sinuations haven bt .!n, or may yet be made respecting the
ingenuousness of my cor t, i do most solemnly declare, that I have
not bee , nor ever will tuatf^d by a design to do you an injury.
<• amenting the uv tunate latio in which we are placed,
mitlee to call
stipends, th<
proprietors bi
pracanter's c
to occur wit!
Decembei
My Dear Sir
I will
answer to th«
1st. Shortl
speak to you
as to convey
Congregatior
2nd. Did 1
idea to you, t
me all the pu
riages, biiriah
is all aliuut v
Your reply
h for four
currency
xpirlng of
! been en-
iCtfull)' t(i
ipport the
It tha t the
lus enable
:h, ill the
inform me
to pay me
nt,
.ACK.
Lck.)
)u will see
ngs of the
>f the pro-
committee
are of the
. But the
ep without
be able to
e arrange-
the whole
md appor-
I of each,
le to effect
)o strongly
recall their
rangement
MINUTES.
Com.
At a mooting of the committee of management of the Scotch-
( luirch, convened in pursuance of a letter from tho Revd. Ed. Black
requesting payment of a balance of salary duo him by the church, and
desiring to know if any and what provision is made for a suitable
Btipend for him after the expiration of the preseut year, when the al-
louaace of £250 hitherto paid him ceases.
Pi^-sent Messrs. Thomas Porteoue,
Peter McGill,
, • K. Walker,
A Whyte,
0. Tait.
The accounts the treasurer, the rent roil and other sources of
revenue of the chuich, having been examined and reported upon, tho
consmittee have l<;ament with regret, that the revenue, derived as it is
solely from pew rents, has (even at the present high rate of the pews)
not only fallen short of the sum required to meet the engagements of
the church with the three Revd. Gentleman, but is about to undergo a
material diminution from the inability of a part of the congregation to
pay the rents demanded, and the unwillingness of others to be taxed
for seat rent at a rate almost double that which is paid in other
churches of the same persuasion, and from the necessity that will con-
sequently exist for lowering the rates in certain cases." "^The committee
thu^ finding tlie church unable to pay the demands made and now
making upon its funds — knowing no method by which these funds can
be augmented — and learning by the 9th of the rules and regulations of
the church, what in such an emergence it shall be the duty of the com-
mittee to call a general meeting, of the proprietors to provide for the
stipends, the committee have resolved that a general meeting of the
proprietors be called on Sunday the 24 instant by intimation, from the
pracanter's desk and by a placard at the church door ; such meeting
to occur within fifteen days after such intimation.
C. Tait, Sec Com,
December 1826.
Tuesday Evening.
My Dear Sir,
I will feel particularly obliged to you if you will give me an
aftswer to the two 1 ilowing questions : —
1st. Shortly after your arrival in the country, did Mr. Esson ever
speak to you about various plans and projects of his, in such a manner,
as to convey to you an idea that he might retire from tho charge of the
Congregation ? .
2nd. Did Mr. Esson ever in the course of conversation convey an
idea to you, that it was his intention after my ordination to give over to
me all the public duties of the Congregation (by which, I mean, mar-
riages, burials,'baptism9,) To rescue my character from base calumnies
is all about which I am now anxious.
Your reply at your earliest convenience will oblige your very truly
.til
(Copy of answer to Mr. Black tv/o questions. ")
Mv Dear Sir,
I beg leave to return the following ansv/cr to your two questions ;
To the 1st I answer that Mr. Esson did speak to me, about Lho
tira- of my arrival in this country, in such terms as led me to think
that, were certain hopes he had enteruained respecting the success of a
public iHstituUon for Education reaUzed, he should not be unwilhng
to retire from his clerical duties. • , .u * t%t i?
To the 2nd that I have an impression on my mmd, that Mr. iLsson
wished or meant that the greatest part of the duties you mention should
devolve upon you but whether I derived this impression frorn your
own or Mr. Esson conversation, I ar: anabie to ^ay vvita confidencs.
I believe from both. 1 am my dear sir, yo>Jt truly,
H. Urguhart.
That the public institution for education mentioned i|i my answer to
PIr Black was not the school with which I have been connected since
1 came to Montreal. ." ^ Jl Urguhart.
No. 3 IS a plan of far wider range and much higher importance-
desirable indeed as most easily attaind, and best suited to the state
and means of his majesties colonies in our days, but m the accom-
plishnient of either of these I regret to say that I have n^ means of
Govt, at my disposal by which I can promote either ot them.
•^Signed) ^ .^ AX
p S.— This last paper I will retain as connected with a subsequent ,
letter Ihave received from Dr. Robertson which wiU require some
further consideration.
^understand that you have an impression on your mind that I have
acted disin«^enuously towards you in;a recent affair and- unhandsomely
in some other respects— before you form an accusation against me
grounded on such an impression, I beg that I may have an opportunity
of conversing with you on all topicks on which, you may thmk I have
acted either disengenuously or unhandsomely towards you and have
to request that we meet this day at half past twelve o'clock foi that
purpose. I shall be glad to see you at my house at that hour or if it
be moro couveniei:t for you I shall call at your house.
Might I request an answer by th.i bearer,
I am your truly,
(Signed) Edward Black.
' I understand from various quarters that you are speaking of mc
and my conduct in an unbecoming manner, I trust it is not too much
to ask the favour of you to inform me what are the charges you bring
a>minst me in order that I may have an opportunity of exculpating
myself If I fail in doing so you will be at liberty to speak in what-
ever manner you please ; until, however, I have such an opportunity,
your present mode of acting if I am rightly iniormetl, u, I think,
unfair; I am Sir your obt. servant,
(Siffned) Edward Black
To the Rcvd. H. Esson, )
23d Januarv, 1827. )
esticns ;
bout the
to think
cess of a
inwilling
r. Esson
n should
rom your
ifidenc3.
HART.
mswer to
ted since
HART.
•rtancc —
the stuto
e accom-
means of
).
ibsequent
i ire some
at I have
indsomely
gainst me
pportunity
nk I have
and have
:k foi that
)ur or if it
Blacic.
ng of mc
; too much
1 you bring
xculpating
ik in what-
pportunity,
3, I think,
LACK
Sir,
Montreal, 24th January, 1827.
In reply to your note, I have simply to state, that i am ready to
give you every satisfaction, as to the nature and degree of the blame,
vfhich I conceive you to have incurred, in reference to proveing, which
are in my view subversive not only of the fundamenta. laws of our
church, but utterly inconsistant vtrith that order and decency, which
ought to mark the conduct of every christian society ;— proceedmgs,
which, I hesitate not to say, you and I are bond by the most solemn
of all obligations to disavow and discountenance, and are not faithful
to our duty as ministers of the church of Scotland if we do not employ
all our interests and effects? to prevent or to put a stop to them. It is
my intention to draw up a full statement of these proceedings, from the
commencement of our connection until the present day, and as I
purpose to give you a copy of said statement before submitting it to
the proper.tribunals of our church, whose decision I trust will be satis-
factory to both of us, you will have an opportunity of knowing the
ground of whatever strictures I felt myself warranted to make on any
part of your conduct; and also of obtaining such exculpation as you
have a right to claim. Of one thing I beg leave to assure you that
I should have felt myself to have been compelled— by a wanton
and miqutous attack upon my just rights, accompanied with a mis-
representation of facts, and an imputation most palpably erroneous—
of promises and engagements on my part wldch have not the shadow
of a foundation of truth— to anmadvert on either the proceeding or the
actors in them— and the task of exposing them, believe me is a
source of neither pride nor pleasure to my mind.
I am Sir your obedient servant, H. Esson.
To the Reverend E. Black.
Sir,
Thursday, 25th January 1827.
I do not conceice your note of last night, in any shape an answer
to mine of Tuesday. If I am rightly informed, you are speaking of
me and of my conduct as I have already told you, in an unbecommg
manner. I wish to know from you what are the charges you brmg
a^rainst me, in order that I may have an opportunity of exculpating
myself— If you refuse to give me this informption, I have nothing more
in the mean time to say. /. i *
You are at perfect liberty to bring all and every part of my conduct
before whatever tribunal you please. If, however, in the mean time
you prejudge the case, by speaking of me in the manner I understand
you do, you do me, I think an act of injustice.
I am Sir your obedient servant,
(Signed) E. Black.
To the Rcvd, 11. Esson.
26lh January 1627.
Sir,
I am surprised to find that you do not conceive my note to )-ou
of W erincsday a sufficient answer to yours of Tuesday. In your nolo
1\
■• ij
-ig:
m
I
you " ask the favour of me to informe you what are the charges I
bring against you in order that you may have an opportunity of excul-
patmg yourself." In reply to this I have stated that I am ready to
give you every satisfaction as to the nature- and degree of the blame
which I conceive you have incurred, since the commencement of our
connexion, until the present day, and to furnish you with a full state-
ment of the facts and proceedings, on which my charges are founded,
with the grounds of whatever strictures I may have felt myself war-
ranted to rnake on any part of your conduct. Is not this, in other
words to inform you of the charges I bring against you and to give you
an opportunity of exculpating yourself to me and to my friends, or to
the tribunals of our church or to the public at large as you may find
expedient, wdl not this be the most effectual methJt of deciding how
tar niy charges are groundless or unjust and my language unbecoming
or otherwise. Let me assure you, that as I shall not flinch from any
responsibility to you in respect to any animadversions I may have
been compelled to make on your conduct, so neither shall I be satis-
hed, until I shall have received from you such an explanation as may
do away from my mmd impressions I am ahnost warranted to say con-
victions, which not a single fact, but a whole series of facts and pro-
ceedmg. for a course of years have concurred to produce and confirm.
1 nis course of proceeding is rendered in some measure necessary by
Uie prevalence of that species of misrepresentation in the present crisis,
which arises from a partial statement of facts and conversations, and
llsehoods ""^ '"•'""''"^ '" **' tendency and etfects as absolute
fJl'f "'}' '"''"'gf "^« I ^^^e f*^ ^^rave from you is to Have patience
for a fe-v days as I require a little time to draw up the statement and
not less to transcribe such evidence, as I have to produce from corres-
pondence, from church documents &c. I shall make a point of puttine
It into your hands, the moment it is finished.
I am Sir your obedient servant,
To.heRevd.E.BIack. *'«"'" "' '=■"""
was sho
tions th£
levees,
again un
The 1(
sequentl
would h
at all ev
peated v
meeting
present
since thi
to let mt
to court-
you or 1 1
preceden
sary to le
Dear Sir
li
when you
facts you i
me — If y.
with them
place in n
you have t
To the Re
Dear Si Thursday morning, 11 o'Clock, 1 at March 1827.
note laJt nTJhT ^^^^ ^"""'"^ ^"^ *" engagement I could not answer your
The letters from Messrs. McKenzie and Porteous are answers to
questions put to them by me and tu be used only for my vindication
?Sln'rr'" "*^"^ .risconduct imputed to m^ should these be
lonnd in the accusatory statement, you have promised me-As they
were not got up f,.r the purpose of crimenating y(,u, but are only to
be used in self detence, should the turn of youf paper call for thern J
fvl^^K ;'■•"; ".'^/uP'? "'hichmaybe converted to a use different
fiom that intended by the writers-If, however it, the answer I m.-.y
have occasion to drawup to the forth coming paper, I shall find ,1 nv-
SI rT '\1 ''^""^' ' f '' u^'"'« with mVan.wer. f„rni«h copies
:i:l: ^ZLl'^^r^lfli^i?'- ^'-"" The .amo ohservatL.
_;, UUdo. OiC. Uv, lililf }.HpcM
Dear Sir,
ment of fa
nexion on
servant sa
request the
To the Roi
Dear Sir,
Sine
mutters in i
conclusion I
s.i ry to give
J charges f
i of excul-
tn ready to
the blame
lent of our
L full state -
re founded,
lyself war-
ii in other
to give you
snds, or to
u may find
:iding how
^becoming
1 from any
may have
I be satis-
on as may
o say con-
s and pro-
d confirm.
cesH.ary by
sent crisis,
tions, and
s absolute
B patience
ment and
m corres-
of putting
nt,
EssoN.
1 1827.
3\vcr your
nswer? to
indication
these be
—As they
re only to
)r them, I
different
er J may
ind il Mc-
»h copies
PTvatioiis
iit j.iipcr
levees, &c. &c. when residing at Z JM^cG^L^Tirif^ ""f^^^^^^
a^n unless tha same insinuaLs be repeated ' "' "'" °'* ^' "^^*^
1 he letter adressed to that general meeting was never reaH „.^
meeting onSdi t?ekorZ: „n?"' i''''r"=''/°" ■•' ""^
you or I that go to Lachine on Sunday-I believe accordirfV ' ''
(Signed)
Your very truly,
Edward Black.
Dear Sir Monday, llth March 1827.
twlh them this eveniiii/ in nrj.r Ik . ^ ™^^ '« furnished
place in rctuZr;" 'al^^t ,%terT>?""^ '"'■'"^' """^ "^^
you have any add'itfonal L." to .i^^Ste '" "'""« "'•^'^"
Yours &c.
To the H«v.r^«d n,M^.J '""^'^ ^^^^-« B-^^-
Dear Sir, Tuesday, 10th April 1827-
ment of^f.tT^I" ^^'' ^•'''*' P^P'^'"' ' ««"^ ''' '^^^^^ to your stat.-
Yours S;c.
To the Reverend H. Esson. ' ^^"'^^ ^""'^'^" ^'^''^■
Dear Sir, Thursday, April 12th 1837.
r''"t-'^"--»---
conclusion than hv n rofomno^ ♦„ n..„K„,. » • ' ?" V ?'^0"«'» t" •>■
„.,,.„ i„ • , . -^tiTLurcr. -IS U Will HKelv Uk riprns
-uy to give expiations and to refer to papers which have now swXd
F*
K"
to a great bulk, a protracted correspondence might ensue on a refer-
ence to a person at such a distance— If it was not on these accounts
there is no person that I would more ch*>erfully fix on, or sooner
commit this or any other matter for decision to, than Dr. Harkness, I
have the fullest confidence in him, and we both might be assured that
an impartial judgment will be given. I merely suggest for your con-
sideration whether it might not be expedient for us, each to make
choice of a lay friend and let matters be brought to an immediate issue
or to submit the whole to a clergyman in tov.n.
If either of these plans does not meet your concurrence we can
adhere to the one suggested in your note of Tuesday and forward the
papers- to Dr. Harkness without delay— It strikes me that much trouble
would be saved to both of us if the matter coilld be settled here.
Your &c. &c.
(Signed) Edward Black.
To the Reverend )
Esson. )
H.
Saturday, 14th April, 1827.
■^^"^ A person of the name of Latimer wishes to have a child baptized
to-morrow at Lachine and requests that you will take the register
^'fwU^thank you for an answer to my note of Thursday as if the
proposal therein made does not meet your approval I will require se-
veral days to transcribe papers for a reference to Quebec.
•' _ Your, &c. &c.
Edwakd Black.
To Reverend
H. Esson.
(Signed)
Montreal, April 14th, 1827.
^"^ To'the plan proposed in your note of Thursday there appears to
me to be thi;. objectio.., that the question involving points that require
a knowledge of Ecclesiasticals, in order to form a correct judgmeni
of them, we are thereby precluded from employmg laymen ; besidos
difference.H l,etween Clergymen, it seems 1. me, better m point o
decorum, to submit to the arbitration of their brethren. Doctor
Harkness, though at a little di«tan. 3 from us, >^« ^^'';1 ^f^'^^^" f^^^-^
and expeditions made ./f communicating ^f'^o^^^at the Steam
Boats begin to run, and from his knowledge of church affairs, and his
perfect acquaintance wifh all the facts and circumstances from first o
last, which may be involved m *' question between us-l do no
conceive that-vc cou'd apply t, nnyonc^ better qviahfied toformnot
only ar imparlid judgment, but to give his decision with piomptitud
and <->p6d^ticn. A", wc hid referred the matter to hm, when he Wc...
i., Montrea', anc as he lef^ us with the under.tendi ■ g that t.ie papers
were to \fo transmitted to him, I do not think tha. u ^^"^ V^^i;;;;
poiflt of view, be proper t.5 alter our plan. 1 here are ^^ay two dei g) -
inen ol" our i7nurch heiM5 -, ihe one lo a «;fs«gef aroOfigst us, n«-
acquainte
interested
Tot
Tri
My Dear
Ii
communi(
could assi
made me
cause I hi
read over
given a d(
facts, and
decision n
sentiment!
of either \
vinced ag;
As to IV
concern \
surd — if \
fact that h
As to a
duties for
absurd — h
just cause
without be
called upo
As to tl
Esson she
ought, in
against it,
proposal tl
tion. If t
they had t(
your incor
thing was
any stipuk
your inco)
society wh
and you to
nothing to
Without
hero rcpea
io you at IV
difference (
with Burn']
311 a rcfer-
3 accounts
or sooner
irkncss, I
isured that
your con-
h to make
diate issue
,ce we can
)rwarcl the
ich trouble
ere.
LACK.
1, 1827.
d baptized
le register
y as if the
require sc-
Stc.
Black.
1, 1827.
appears to
hat require
: judgment
1 ; besides
in point ol'
Doctor
ive an easy
the Steam
xs, and his
rom first to
— 1 do not
to form not
»romptitud'^
hen he \va.;
; the papers
uld, in any
two clergy-
<«ft etnA nil-
acquainted with our previo;;s proceedings; the other is too nearly
interested in the question to be an unpire.
(Signed) H. Ecson.
To the Revd. E. Black, )
True copy H. Esson. )
- (Copy letter Dr. Ilarkness to E. Black.)
„ _ Quebec, June 2Cth, 1827.
My Dear Sir,
I readily admit that l have been two long in replying to your
communications and satisfying you that they had come to hand*— I
could assign various reasons for my seeming inattention to the request
made me by yourself and Mr. Esson. I say seeming inattention, be-
cause I have in reality not been in attentive to the subject. I have
;cad over the papers entrusted to me repeatedly, and would fain have
given a decision. But from the nature of Mr. tsson statement of
facts, and the nature of your answer thereunto, I am afraid whatever
decision might be given would not have the effect of changing the
sentiments of either, or doing away with the impressions on the 'mind
of either with regard to the conduct of the other. For a man con-
vinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
As to Mr. Esson making an unconditional promise to retire from all
concern with the Church at the end of two years— the thing is ab-
surd—if he did so, it must have been in a moment of frenzy. But the
fact that he even did so is by no means estabhshed.
As to Mr. Esson's giving up the performance of those clerical
duties for which fees are paid entirely to you— the thing is equally
absurd— had Mr. Esson done so his Parishoners would have had
just cause of complaint against him— he could not conscientiously and
wjthout being hable to censure, refuse to marry baptise or burrv, when
called upon by any of the flock-this must have been well known to you.
As to the proposition from the committee that either vou or Mr.
Esson should retire for a specified time from all active duty &c. you
ought, in my humble opinion, at once decededly to have set your face
against it, and to have informed the committee that in making the
proposal they had ^one completely out of their proper sphere of ac-
t[^"- If the committee kept faith with you and Mr. Ejson, it was all
they had to do. They might regret it was out of their power to make
your incomes better. But they had no right to propose (indeed the
thing was very indelicate) the temporary retirement of either upon
any stipulations or conditions whatever. If Mr. Esson and you found
your incomes not sufficient to enable you to support that rank in
society which the respe^ - ')ility of your office gave you, it was for him
and you to determine w_..a course to pursue. The committee had
nothing to do with the matter •
Without pretending to decide' between you n.nd Mr. Esson I have
here repeated the same sentiments oncevliiir: ,' uts which I expr^cscd
to you at Montreal. I assure you I regroi aid iament exceedinglv the
difference that exists between vou aiiG Ht. Esson. In nnnrjertioM
with Burn's affairs, it is doing" ri .serioi's injury to the Presbyterian
r
Ur
If'
}
Cause in Canada — (the remainder of the letter consists mercy of the
usual compliments, &c.) .
Believe me; my Dear Sir,
Your Faithfully,
(Signed) James Harkness.
Certified to be a true copy E. Black,
Monday, 2d July, 1827.
Montreal, Monday 2d July, 1827.
Reverend Sir,
Enclosed is a copy of Dr. Harkness letter an abstract of which
Tgave you in my communication of Friday Evening last — when I
met you yesterday on my way to church you made a verbal reply to
that communication I agam beg leave to inform you as I did at the
time that I shall rest satisfied with no verbal replies from you on any
matters of importance and have therefore to request that I be favoured
with a written reply to my letter of Friday e v ening on or before to-
morrow at 12 o'clock 1 was of opinion that the ordinary rules of
politeness would have dictated the propriety of sending a written reply
to a written communication on any subject of importance.
I am Revd. Sir,
Your obt. servant,
(Signed) Edward Black.
To Reverend »
H. Esson. J
■ 3d July, 1827.
Reverend Sir,
I beg to assure you that it did not proceed from any want of
respect or courtisy that" I declined answering your letter of Friday last.
Had you ascribed it to the " better motives of love of peace and to
christian prudence, permit me to say, you would only have done me
justice. It is now a considerable time since I declared to you my
resolution to have no farther^correspondence with you on the unpleasant
subject of our differences, persuaded as I am, that no good can result
there is even iminient hazard, in such a course of the evil being
aggravated and the feelings of all parties embittered, I have furnished
you at your own particular request with an SLTr;^\e and explicit state-
ment of the grounds on which I have formed those opinions and
sentiments of which you ad most certainly a right to demand from me
a statement. I have 8ul,..equently given all due attention to your
explanations, verbal and written, and it is my misfortune perhaps that
I am unable to discover any thing that could alter my opinion or in any
material degree mitigate my censure, and while I readily admit the
frailty and fallibility of my judgment you must allow me to say that
until I feel the conviction that I am in error I can make no other apo-
logy than simply to express my sincere regret that I am unable to
place your conduct in any point of view that would warro'it me to say
with truth that I think well of it. In this ground I car. add nothing to
what I have declared in my statement to you. Doctor Harkness has
decided, in a manner entirely to my satisfaction, theouly pumls in
which I w
gotten tha
should dn
to Doctot
from pron
pressions
find prude
that he cc
the partiei
of submiti
men here
sentiment
that they
to make a
our Paren
point remi
to be settl
that could
dance, I s
you may I
you to un<
any groun
feel that a
abstain frc
see what I
while I an
past, and t
of any app
only to ad<
expression
sions with
' cause I
tempt whi<
Toth
H
Reverend
Ic
I have rec
irrelevant 1
Harkness
matter to
not agreeir
two altema
future proc
sense of an
ha« given I
which I was anxious to obtain his opiaion and you cannot have for-
gotten that it was I who, in opposition to your wiah that the matter
should drop and all that had passed be forgotten, insisted oa a reference
to Doctor Harkness and I for my part am satisfied ihrx in abstaining
from pronouncing any judgment with respect to -the I'eelings and im-
pressions which are mutually entertained, the Dr. has shown good sense
and prudence : more especially, if, as I suspect to be the fact, he felt,
that he could not remove these impressions, or alter the convictions of
the parties. As to the proposition which you again make so earnestly
of submitting our differences to the decision of lay friends or of clergy-
men here or in Upp'^r Canada ; having already expressed my
sentiments on that point, n a former letter, I have only to say now,
that they remain unaltered, and that, if I find it necessary on my pan
to make any farther reference, it shall be to the supreme tribunal of
our Parent Church. I have now only to add that, as I know not what
point remains in dispute between us, that either requires or is possible
to be settled by arbitration, and as I am ignorant of any good puspose
that could be answered by protracting this most unpleasant correspond
dance, I shall not feel myself called upon to answer any letters, which
you may hereafter address to me on this subject, and therefore I beg
you to understand that while I am at all times ready to meet you on
any ground or on any occjision with all respect and courtesy, where I
feel that any good can be done, I am resolved on the same principle to
abstain from any farther discussion of this controversy until at least I
see what I little expect, that it can conduct to some good issue and,
while I am willing, henceforth, to forget, as far as may be possible the
past, and to live with you, on terms of peace and civility, I am fearless
of any appeal that you may make to any tribunal whatever. I have
only to add in conclusion that I am not unapprized of sentiments and
expressions which you have allowed yourself to utter on various occa-
sions with regard to myself and that, if I have not complained, it is
' cause I love peace and am not grep*ly moved by censure or con-
tempt which I feel to be unmerited.
I am Rev '^f id Sir,
Your Obt. Hble. sert.
(Signed) H. Es^on.
To the Reverend ) i
H. Black, i
Montreal, 5th July .f<2r.
Reverend Sir,
I conceive your long letter of the 3 instant, like many of those
I have received from you on the subject of our differences as totally
irrelevant to the question before us. I merely begged to know as Dr.
Harkness had given no decision, whether you would submit the
matter to the arbitration of other individuals. In the event of your
not agreeing to do so, I intimated that I would iiiake choice of one of
two alternatives (and these alternatives I expressly mentioned) in my
future proceedings. I most positively assert, and 1 leave it to the
sense of any person ivho knows the meaning of words that Dr. Harkness
has given uo decistun. if yuu ihirik thaT on «.crtain points you naTc
G
•y
m
»
, 1
obtained a favorable opinion, you can with the greater confidetice
subhiic the matter for ultimate decision. To say that you have got
such an opinion 1s the very uttnost length that Dr. Harkness letter
will permit you to go but even this I will by no means admit. The
words " an unconditional promise" are not to be found in my answer
to your statement and therefore there was no necessity to call such a
promise absurd, and by no means established. As to another promise
you will particularly observe, that though he says it was equally absurd
on your part, yet he does not say that tiie truth of it is not established.
Indeed, he could not in my opinion say so, in the face of the evidence
I adduced. As to the next great point which you are so anxiou^i to
prove against me, and to attain which you have expended such a
number of words in your stpiement, viz,' my connivance with the com-
mittee, there is not a word said on that point — Dr. Harkness merely
says that in his opinion I should decidedly have set my face against
the proposal from the committee. Is there no difference between a
person entering into any measure proposed to him, and conniving
with the persons who proposed that measure t But are these the only
points in dispute between us ? In Dr. H. opinion they seem to be the
whole, but I will venture to say that in your own opinion, and in the
opinion of others who may read your statement, they are only a part.
I have as little desire as you can have to protract an unpleasant
correspondence, and in all likelihood, you will not be troubled with
another letter from me on the subject — I have now my choice of two
alternatives in my future conduct — and believe me that the task of
bringing to light the temper and spirit, you have cherished towards me
since my ordination, and in particular, the unmanly and unchristian
language you gave vent to on a late occasion, cannot be gratifying to
my feelings. After all the talk you have made on the subject, you
have, in reality brought no charges against me. You have shown suffi-
cient want of christian temper in the whole business ; and your conduct
must be accounted for, not from any thing I have done since my con-
nection with you, but from the two great leading features of your
character (and what these are no one can doubt) not having been
gratified.
I am Reverend Sir,
Your obedient servant.
Edward Black.
To the Reverend H. Esson.
Montreal, 24th July 1827.
Dear Sir,
I trust you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing this
letter to you, and in requesting you to lay it at your earliest conve-
nience before the committee. I regret extremely to occasion any
trouble to the committee, but situated as I am, I cannot avoid doing so.
I am induced likewise to address you, as you are appointed by the
church to superintend its temporalities, and are therefore the legitimate
channel though which an application may be eventually made to the
congregation.
ter confidetlce
t you have got
[larkness letter
s admit. The
1 in my answer
f to call such a
nother promise
equally absurd
lot established,
of the evidence
3 so anxiou:) to
pended such a
! with the com-
irkness merely
ny face against
ice between a
and conniving
these the only
seem to be the
lion, and in the
are only a part.
t an unpleasant
e troubled with
choice of two
at the task of*
ed towards me
ind unchristian
be gratifying to
e subject, you
ve shown suffi-
id your conduct
since my con-
itures of your
ot having been
It servant,
iRD Black.
I July 1827.
Lddressing this
jarliest conve-
occasion any
avoid doing so.
jointed by the
3 the legitimate
Iv made to tlie
The unfortunate situation I at present hold, as one of your minis-
ters, was pressed, nay I am justified in saying, forced on me, and that
too principally, however strange it may be sound in your ears, throuffh
the agency of Mr- Esson. A salary of je200 for the first two years
ot my ministry was offered me, but rejected on the score of its being
too little for my maintenance. A salary of je250 was then offered and
accepted by me ; and I had every reason to believe from the promises
made, and the prospects held out to me, that after the expiry of the
two years, the original sum would rather be encreased than diminished.
Immediately before my ordination, and about f- months after this
arrangement was entered into, I had reason lu fear, from certain
circumstances which transpired, that I had little dependance to plftce
on the promises that were made, or on the prospects held out to me—
I applied to the general meeting of the church for the one half of the
pew rents, after paying Mr. Somerville, to be given' over to me, in
order that my ordination might be proceeded in, and I signified by
letter to the proprietors that I would be satisfied with the revenue thence
arising, so far as it would go, by which I meant that this fund being
made over to me would ensure my ordination, and that, whatever it
might be it would, as fur as it would go, relieve the church of so
much of the sum they had burdened themselves with by calling ine to
be one of the ministers.
I am not going to tire your patience with a recital of subsequent ,
proceedings, and I have to crave your indulgence for trespassing thus
far on it—What I have mentioned above is necessary to show you
that, at the very least, I had every reason to believe, a permanent
salary of ^260 would be, without a doubt, given me. My object in
addressing you now is respectfully to request that you, as the repre-
sentative of the church, will devise some plan to ensure me of my
original salary, and not allow me literally to starve, and to remain in
a situation not. much more agreeable to my feelings than that of a
common pauper— I trust that you will not be so blinded to the real
interests of the church as to adopt language which I believe is current
among a few of its members " let Mr. Black have recourse to some
" other employment to encrease his hving." I beg to inform you that
if such an employment offered, and I know of no other but that of
teaching, it would become a question with me whether my time would
permit me to adopt it. Examine the registers of the church for some
tune past, and you must be satisfied that the quantity of public duty
I have performed would at least make me hesitate before I betook
myself to another employment. Take that in conjunction with what
may properly be called the private duties of a clergyman, and with his
public appearances, and you will, I think, join with me in saying that
those who make use of lang-!age similar to that I have now quoted,
are any thing but friends either to the church or to me.
In viewing the subject in all its bearings I would respecfully suggest
that you may be the means of relieving the church, for the present,
out of Its unfortunate situation, by taking into your consideration the
propriety^ of adopting one of the following plans; either to call a
pnvate meeting of those who are friends to the church, and asking
their co-operation in the present crisis ; or to call a public meeting of
the coMregation, at which I shall attend, and give the prdpru totaa
plain statement of aU proceedings since the time immediately before
and after my connexion with the church— I shall also read to them a
correspondence which has lately taken place between Mr. Esson ai M
myself, and from which they will be able to judge whether or not pro-
mises were made to me, and expectations held out which have not
been fulfilled— and whether or not ±^.y arc bound in honor to provide
me with a suitable salary. . r , n r
In asking you to adopt one of these alternatives, I beg you will free
me from the wish of presuming to dictate to you as a committee ,- 1
know likewise, if you adopt any of these plans, that it is not because
I had a right to ask you 1 > do so, but merely from courtesy to me.
If you declme doing any thing in the matter further thwi dividing
whatever sum may be at your disposal, after paymg Mr. Someml e,
between Mr. Esson and me, it must remain Math me to do the best I
can, under existing circumstances. It is not perhaps generally known
that I hold in my possession a permanent bond granted to nie by the
ministers elders, committee, and seveil proprietors of the church tor
;fil60 to be paid annually out of the surplus funds of the church— 1
confess that it would be extreemely unpleasant to my feelings to have
recourse to legsl measures to obtain the sum, but it must become a
question with me, whether or not it will bo my duty to adopt this
bourse, and to depend on the good will of those who are friendly to
me in the congregation, to make up the remainder of what may be
reckoned sufficient for my support. Recent proceedmgs of my col-
league and the unmanly and unchristian language he has used res-
pecting me, render any thmg Uke courtesy from me towards him,
entirely out of the question. , ,., , x u *i • iu j
I again request you will excuse the liberty I have taken m thus ad-
dressing you— I leave the msi^'^r in your hands, with the utmost con-
fidence: that you will adopt -oim prompt measures to reheve me from
myp-esent embarrassments- iDich cannot much longer be concealed
from the public, and like.vi e io restore peace to the church.
I fijsi Dear Sir,
With much regard
Your obedient servant,
Edward Black.
N B. I have hitherto sent copies of all my communications to the
committee to Mr. Esson. In this instance, and m future I declme
J . 111. 1>.
T4n Fisiier, Esquire, President of the committee of the Scotch
Church St. Gabrial Street.
Montreal, 17th November 1827.
Reverend Sir, , , , ^ , .
I received and perused the papers you addressed to me, but
the circumstances under which they have been procured deprive them
of any claim to my consideration and like all exparte proceedings 1
humbly conceive them to be entirely useless for the purposes of truth
nndjtuttce, li Uiey do VTiewea lucrciy ua mc upmi^n- ••. ,=,......—---.
whom you have on your own part consiilted, it must be observed, that
l^v
rtetotsa
y before
> them a
jBon ai '
not pro-
lave not
» provide
will free
littee ; I
; because
ly to me.
dividing
(mervilley
:he best I
ly known
ae by the
hurch for
hurch — I
i to have
lecome a
dopt this
iriendiy to
at may be
f my col-
used res-
rards him,
n thus ad-
most con-
e me from
concealed
vant,
Black.
ions to the
e I decline
E. B.
the Scotch
er 1827.
to mst but
jprive them
Dceedings I
les of truth
served, that
iheM indi .uamls have formed i eir j' "lipp^nt a. \ gi an their decision,
on 81 ch cvideo)^ , as ha3 bet;, submitt* J to them by one of the
partie , not only wi*' out the consent but even without the knowledge
of the other. If you mean that they shall be viewed (which I can
scarcely belie\!.) as forming an arbitration between us, I would
simply observe that it is usual that tht )itrat( ^ be mutually chosen
and as I humbly presume, not very ommoii 'i- them to decide
without giving a full hearing »o both par les. It it, eedless for me to
repeat, what I have already stat< d, ih* round of my objection to the
aode of decision which vou proposed, uumely arbitration hy laymen,
till let shall I presum< to call in (juestion the discretion or propriety
>^f submitting our ditlerences to '' c arbil tirn of clergymen, how-
ever reN| tictable who are no* of our comi nion nor can be supposed
to have much knowledge of the constitution and laws of our church.
Buf f } ou are aiixious to have this matter brought to a satisfa' ♦ory
termination, and to obtain ' cision in consonance with the nn-
ciples of ruth and jnstice, I epeat what I have already suggested,
let ihe ^hole be brought under the view of the committee of th
7 cral assembly of our church, of which Dr. Lee is convener. *
only course which appears to me likely to bring our diiferences to
final adjustment.
I am Sir,
Your obt. hble. servant,
(Signed) H. Esson.
P. S. Mr thieson propose? »hat the joint committee of the two
ehurches sih ill have their first mC' ^ on Monday next.
(Sir H. EsaoN.
A true copy H. Esson:
Montreal, 19th November 1827.
Revd. Sir,
I have received your note on Saturday evening, and I am hap-
py to think that you have perused the papers I lately sent you — I never
viewed these papers in the lifl[ht of a decision which could bind you,
in as much as you had not concurred in their submission to the gentle-
man in question^ — I viewed them merely as opinions givea at the re-
quest of one of the parties, and transmitted them to you not doubting,
that you would be anxious to know the sentiments of respectable and
dismterested individuals. If, in your opinion, they are useless for the
fmrposea of truth and justice as being exparte proceedings, you can
transmit any exculpatory evidence, you may have in your possession
to these individuals, and I doubt not they will do equal just e to us
both. But I deny that it is an opinion exparte on the casp ccording
to the legal acceptation of that term in as much as th( accusatory
statement on the one side, and the defence on the other have been laid
before these gentlemen, and both pronlounced upon. You will also
allow me to add that one of the individuals, though out of the pale of
our church, (Mr, Henderson) understands its laws as well as if not
better than any member of its communion in Canada. You cannot
have farpoitp.n that vnii inaiatpri nn Tir. 'Harhnaaa \an^^ k^: j...-
tton, notwithstanding his own words to the contrary, and you cannot
|:
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(716) 872-4503
S.
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.V
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Fi?
A
bs-
suvely be surprised^ that in a matter which concerned me ^o nearly, I
shotild have followed the course I have done, and that for my own sa-
tisfaction I should have requested the opinion of individuals, whose
characters and standing in society, both you and I must respect.
I have only farther to add, that I do not care before what tribunal the
matters in dispute between us are brought. It appears to me that a
knowledge of ecclesiastical law is quite unnecessary to enable a per-
son to decide between us, as the matters at issue are more matters of
ftict — ^matters of truth and justice, and must be eventually determined
by a civil court, on the testimony of others. On this account I am
afraid Dr; Lee will not be disposed to bring the matter before the com->
mittee of the general assembly, as that in every respect will be found
to be an incompetent court — and at all events we should pause befoie
we subject him to so very disagreeable an office. Do not think
however for a moment that I shall shrink from bringing the matter be-
fore any court when there is even a distant probability of a decision
being obtained. I beg therefore that you will notify me in writing one
week before your papers are sent off to Dr. Lee, and I hereby bind
myself to have mine in readiness that they may both go by the same
opportunity. My reason for asking this previous noJce, is that some
time must elapse before that the affidavits of those I may adduce as
witnesses can be taken before the proper authorities, so that they may
serve as authenticated evidence in Europe. It will also be necessary
to have a duplicate of all proceedings to send off by a different oppor-
tunity, so that there may be no danger of the papers reaching their des-
tination. I am Rev. Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Edward Black.
Revd. H. Esson.
Thursday, 12 o'Clock, 8 T^ovember 1827.
My Dear Sir,
Your note tome of (without a date) reached me this moment I
hasten to reply to it.
I am sorry that Mr. Black should have for an instant imagined that
any disrespect was shewn to him, or to any one else, or that even swch
a thing was wished by any of us in what we did in respect to distribut-
ing the general assembly queries and obtaining what, information we
could on the subjects connected with them. The history of our pro-
ceedings should convince him'or any reasonable man of the contrary.
Perhaps Mr. B's. impressions have originated from a newspaper report
that a committee of inquiry into the state of the church in these pro-
vinces had been formed and were in active operation, as I recollect
some days ago seeing a paragraph something to that effect in the news
papers. But if Mr. B. thought that the existence of such a committee
warranted him in conceiving that disrespect was thereby shewn him
because he was not consulted as to its formation, he should at least
before bringing an accusation of that nature against any individ-ial on
such a vague ground, have inquired whether the facts were so. If he
had taken this trouble he would have found that they were not, but
thai each pei^Mun acleii on iiiai own respoiUiibiiity, and iiiilepeudeiiUy ot
v^\
lo nearly, I
my own sa-
lals, whose
fipect.
tribunal the
me that a
lable a per-
matters of
determined
count I am
re the com-
ill be found
ause befoie
> not think
matter be-
' a decision
writing one
ereby bind
y the same
3 that some
adduce as
it they may
3 necessary
rent oppor-
g their des-
Black.
er 1827.
i moment I
agined that
t even such
:o distribut-
mation we
of our pro-
e contrary,
aper report
1 these pro-
I recollect
n the news
committee
shewn him
lid at least
divifjial on
I so. If he
e not, but
eudunlly ut
each other, and that whenever we acted in conjunctior. it was only
only when we meet at each others houses, as friends, and when Se
discussion of thesesubjects naturally arose in the course of ordLry
rn?.K K VT '"** ^"^^ *^^"" '° '"'■«•'«"*=« t'' ^^ assembly queries;
and that he had no participation in these proceedings I apprehend he
has himself to blame, for if I mistake not he was Lked more tfia^
once to meet w,A us on some of the occasions when ecclesTasS
affairs were made the subject of conversation, I do not mean tosay
hat he was asked to meet with us for the purpose of taking these suh^
jects into consideration for in so far as I know we wTre never so
^rmally called togetherfor that or for church business of ,^y Wnd
One evemng mdeed when you wished me to stay a while loLer ai
your house, you urged your suit upon the plea of taking over church
In having distributed some of the foresaid queries and give mv
Srri'°I*'5>''t°'^^ of collecting information, I conceive
myself unphcated in the charge which Mr. Black has brought forward
of disrespect towards him. Br. Harkness, unless he has a seared
conscience, must too pass condemnation against himself. Let the Dr.
reply for himself But I ajiswer for myself that I am convinced I had
a right to act just as 1 did without accounting for my conduct to any
one or without giving any person a reasonable cauJfe to be offended
with what 1 have done.
The history of our proceedings in so far as I am acquainted with
them wil shew, that there did not even exist a wish to exclude Mr B
troni a knowledg of or a participation in our proceedings. And a
brief ouUine of the case may furnish the best answer to lose points
on which you wish my testimony. ^
Machar on his arrival in Montreal and before he went to Quebec
^ft with me a parcel of the queries, some of which next day I sent to
Mr. Black, Mr. SomerviUe and yourself. When I saw you Xr^
wards as I was onjthe eve of proceeding to Martintown, you exhorted
me to use every effort to persuade Urquhart, Connall, McKenzie and
McLaurm to meet with Dr. Harkness, who was shortly after that time
expected in Montreal, and the rest of the brethren here, and if thev
would consent to this measure, that Shede and Machar were also to
have mtimations to attend. Till that time arrived, we imagined ..othina
could with propnety be done. While I was in the U. P^f however I
understand that y«u had a party of friends to meet with Macher at your
.wtr V. uP^'P""^^ of obtaining all the information on the subject
that Machar had received from the authoritieaat home, to which party
I learned from Mr. Machar that Mr. B. was invited but declined.—
Havmg failed in obtaining a general meeting of the brethren, nothinir
further was said or done on the subject here, in so far, as I remember
Mr. Gale arrived invested with power and with funds from the trustees
ot the scotch church in Quebec— to proceed to several districts in both
provinces, according to a route prescribed him for the purpose of mak-
ing a correct invesUgation into the state of ecclesiastical affairs in ire.
' •"" '^"p^iattjr uuiuimug cjvcry imormauon in his power con-
nected with the subjects alluded to in the assembly's queries ; I met you
by accident on the street, you tcld me when convenient y6u wished to
see me as you had something important to communicate, next time we
met (by accident also) you stated what had taken place in Quebec, and
that it was particularly inconvenient for you that Mr. G. should go on
such a mission. I also objected to the proceeding giving, it as my
opinion, that the best mode of obtaining information was by corres-
pondence, and that in that way a greater mass of knowledge would be
collected in a much shorter period of time. J hesitate not also at the
same time to say, that in mtdcing my objection to Mr. G. mission, I
was influenced considerably by the fear that some narrow minded per-
sons would say we assumed to ourselves powers which we were not
warranted to do, and who would from a spirit of jealousy and because
they were not consulted throw every obstacle in the way. In this state
things remained till the arrival of Dr. Harkness, who was surprised
that Gale had not acted according to the instructions he had received
from the trustees of the, church in Quebec* And it was only when you
told him that it was very inconvenient for you that Mr. Gale should be
absent, that he seemed reconciled, very little indeed in any shape was
done in the matter before I went to Quebec, to be sure every time we
met it formed the subject of conversation, but that conversation was
loose and desultory, and little came out of it. From what I learned
from the Dr., little else was done in my absence, with the exception of
printing a circul&r and distributing some of the queries.
The first time I believe I saw you after my return from Quebec,
which if I recollect well, was on Tuesday, the 30th ultimo, the con-
versation between us was on the propriety of forming a committee for
the purpose of facilitating our proceedings, when various schemes were
suggested, and we resolved that befoie entering on any plan we should
consult Mr. Black, and if he approved of a conimittee selected from
the clergy and laymen, that I was to see what day would be convenient
for him to meet for such a purpose, and give notice to several gentle-
men whom we were convinced had the interests of the church at heart
to meet with us. This at least did not look as if any disrespect was
intended to Mr. B. On the contrary I am firmly pf^r?uaded that each
and all of us would have been extremely glad of Mr. Black's co-ope-
ration. A day or two after that and before I had tune to see Mr. B.
There was a meeting of your session called, when I understand the
charge of disrespect was preferred against us, for I hold myself equally
culpable with you, so I need not detail our proceedings further.
From this statement of facts, which you may make any proper use
of you please, it is evident, that we formed no committee, nor had any
other meeting formally called for that or for church business of any
kind. That what ever talk we had on ecclesiastical affairs took place
when we met accidentally or in a friendly manner at one anothers
houses, and I have reason to believe Mr. Black, was asked to be pre-
sent on one of these occasions at least. That I have no reason what-
ever to suppose' that there existed a wish on the part of any of us to
exclude Mr. B. from a knowledge of or a participation in what was
going forward. That what was done, I conceive we were fully war-
... J- u— ,.1 »^..««* rvf »Ko ««nnf»mitto»» nf flHflf^nnhlv. And that
rantea to w "j ""^ ic\j«i;=i i.i tu^- — » — -- — .
I met you
11 wished to
Bxt time we
Quebec, and
lould go on
g, it as my
by corres-
;e would be
also at the
mission, I
ninded per-
ve were not
nd because
[n this state
LS surprised
ad received
y when you
e should be
' shape was
5ry time we
rtiation was
at I learned
inception of
m Quebec,
lo, the con-
mmittee for
hemes were
n we should
lected from
convenient
3ral gentle-
rch at heart
respect was
3d that each
;k's co-ope-
iee Mr. B.
lerstand the
self equally
ther.
r proper use
nor had any
aess of any
i took place
ne anothers
d to be pre-
eason what-
ny of us to
n what was
e fully war-
. And that
HO penon had any reMotuble cauw to be offended at our proceedings
That Maclier's instuctiotia were when he delivered the queries, to
rfutribote than with all speed and obtain as much and as correct
bilbtniation as possible on die subjects rderred to in them. That Mr,
Gale's ahare in the proceedingB originated entirely with Dr. Harkness
and the trustees of his churcb-^^hat (Sale as an individual was autho-
rised to do idiat he did more es^cially— as the commissioned agent
by the Qu<^)ec trustees. That at no time in so fisur as I recollect was
Mr. B. disreMectfuUy spoken of. That the distance at which he
kept hhnself from all mtercourse with ns I have heard regreted by
Dr. Harkness and by yourself.
I have only fiirther to itate if you did wrong in not bringing the
matter before your session I have been equally guilty I told them
that I had received such queries and that I wd. some time or other lay
them b^ore them and p«4iaps require their assistance. They have
no reason to be ofiended at what 1 did in the matter, I confess it was
btrt little— but I am persuaded that they would re^ice in any thing that
I could do m so good a cause even tho' I consulted not them, excuse
Haste. Yours truly,
A. Mathiesoii.
Reverend and Deibr Sir,
In reply to your note of this date I regret to inform you that
I kept no copy of Ae communication to which yon allude. It consisted
of answers to Queries subnutted by the Reverend Mr. Black, I think,
some time last year, or in the course of la^ nidtsr. I remember
having returned to him the original, paper jntaining a few short
queries with my answers to them. I now recollect, perfectly, that I
kept no copy thereof.
I remain, very truly,
Yourobet. servant,
H. MacKxnzie.
Papineau Square, »
21stNovem. r, 5-^*^^. J
To the Reverend I
H. Esson. )
^ „ Montreal, 22d November, 1827.
Dear Sir,
The writmg of which you desire a copy having been given to Mr.
Black to be used in his own defence, against your violent attack, I
must beg leave to decline complying witL your request on that subject.
I am Dear Sir,
Your truly,
T. PORTBOUS.
To the Reverend Mr. Esson.
Quebec, 6th December, 1827.
My Dear Sir,
I believe all your letters and papers, addressed to me, have
" *^=^ --- I have no apology to oiFer for not writing you
H
^^Kic w nana, ana
sooner, but that of being over h««l and %an in my own affidra. It
certiunly was > my wish and my intention to have written you long ere
this in answer to Black's charge of disrespect, and also in answer to
your letter accompanying the opinions of Messrs. Bethune, Stevens
McKenz^e and Henderson, regarding the diflference between Mr.
Esson and Mr. Black. In answer to the former I have now scribbled
out somethino' '^•nd requested Mrs. H. to copy it for me. In answer
to the latter 1 shall write you in a day or two — in the meantime I beg
of you to assure Mr. Esson and his friends, that the game is up with
Mr. BUck— that I have borne H>ng with him and can bear no longer.
As his spiritual Father (a term you and Mr. Black understand well
enough as applied in Scotland to the person wiio presides at an ordina-
tion) I must (however reluctantly) now apply tha rod and see if by a
proper chastisement, I can yet save my Black Bey, by opening his
eyes to sense of duty, afler so many aberrations. I send inclos^ to
you my letter to Mr. Esson copied by Phoebe, by Captain Camp-
bell, a friend of ours — a^y attention Mr. Esson and you may shew
him, during his short stay in Montreal will oblige
My Dear Sir,
Your Faithfully,
(Signed) Jambs Harkness.
N.B. — \U the papers with me that relate to the unhappy difference
between Mr. ;£; and Mr. B. shall be forwarded in a day or two by
some safe hanil^t would send them now, but it is likely I may have
to refer to tUuD'ia .making up my mind in writing decinvely since
opinionsigoibr aothttw on the subject.
R^Kereod ii. €^, )
, &C. &G.JEIBU. )
I A True Copy, \
H. Esson, >
G. Gheyne. j
Quebec, 4th December, 1827.
Dear Sir, ^ ,
In a letter from Mr. Gale of the 6th instant, he states, inter alia,
that at a meeting of the Session of your Church held the week pre-
vious. " A heavy complanent was vented against you by Mr. Black
and Mr. H. McKenzie, that you had treated Mr. Black disrespect-
fully in not having made him acquainted with the plans and proceedings
ttwt had been gone into in regard to the general assembly Queries
&c. &c." As I consic'.er the complaint made against you, as also
directed, if not immediately, yet certainly by implication against my-
self and others of die Brethren, I beg you will do me the favor, to
communicate these my sentiments on the subject to the Session at
your earliest convenience.
Why did not Mr. Black or some of his friends call a meeting of the
Session and make the above complaint, while I was in Mor real ?
I shall suppose for charity^a take, that it was because he had — had no
opportunity of conversing with his friends (I mean those, >'ho by his
plausible and apparently simple and disinterested statements — how
C /•- I.J !_ /■ A :il I — — J U..^ _.v..An.> k..«^ Ui«l«A>4<« IvAon taA t/\
SST lOuUQCU UI lad VIIU UJ auu urc appeal sssttj luuiTsmr tiwss cvu •>••
iffiun. It
•u long ere
answer to
}, Stevens
ween Mr.
V soribbied
In answer
tiaael beg
is up with
no longer,
ratand well
anordina-
ee if by a
tpening his
inclos^ to
nn Camp-
may shew
' difference
r or two by
; may have
tive^ since
•!
ir, 1827.
, inter tUia,
1 week pre-
Mr. Black
disrespect"
iroceedings
>ly Queries
Du, as also
igainst my-
le favor, to
Session at
9ting of the
Moi real ?
id — had no
>'ho by his
lents— how
go through thin and their with him) on the subject and convincing
them of the iniquitous conduct of his Brethren towards him, and nut
because in the depth of lus wisdom, he thought the charge cOuU be.
made with leM danger of refutation in my absence. Be this as it
may-«the fact is that Mr. B. was treated by you and by myftelf during
my late visit at Montreal with the greatest respect not only as legards
the plans and fMroceedings that had been gone into in regard to the
general assembly's queries &c., but as regards every other little eti-
quette and formality whatever. This, I shall make appear in a few
words.
On my arrival in Montreal I was sorry to learn that Mr. B. had been
and still was very unwell. I therefore did not wait for the usual cere-
mony of his calling formally upon me, but went with Mr. Gale to his
house next forenoon to enquire afler his health and converse with him
on Church matters. Mrs. B. said he was too unwell to make his ap-
pearance. Accordingly after some conversation with her, we took
our leave. Now you will think it very strange when I tell you, that
though Mr. B. was so unwell, as not to be able to step out of his bed
room into the dining or drawing room on the same floor to see us ;
yet in the course of a few minutes after our departure, to rapid was
hit recovery^ that he was able to go down stairs and attend to the ac-
tive duties of his profession.
When the Brethren in Montreal determined to wait on His Ex-
cellency the Governor in Chief jMr. Black was not treated as a step
biem. No he was specially informed of our intention of waiting on
His Lordship in a Body that he might accompany us, if he thought fit.
He came to your house a little before the bbur appointed, and I took
the opportunity that presented itself (the first I lud had) of fully ex-
plaining to him, what we had done, what we were doing and what
we iutmded to do ; and urged upon him the propriety of his lending a
helping hand in these times. In reply, he gave no satisfaction what-
ever ; but seemed to listen to my statements, as a thing, in which he
had no concern. From this and his uniformly declining to go, where
he knew he would meet you and myself, during my stay at Montreal,
I feel warranted, in saying, that the charge of disrespect would have
come with a much better grace from the other side of the house. As
further proof, however, of our wish to treat Mr. B. with respect, I
can appeal to Mr. Blackwood, a member of your Session, if I did not
ofiener than once express my regret to him at the want of co-opera-
tion on die part of Mr. Black — and finally though Mr. B. had neither
been made acquainted with our plans and proceedings, nor invited to
take a share in them, yet, I hesitate not to afiim and maintain, that
instead of complaining, he ought rather to have thanked us for naring
hit feelings by not in a manner forcing him to take a part in discus-
sions with an Individual^ with whom a short time ago, I had had
occasion to ask him to communicate in one of the most important of
all our clerical duties, the dispensation of the Sacrament of the Lords
Supper, and the mortification to receive for answer. " With Mr.
Esson I do not feel disposed, at least, for the present, to commmunicuU
on this, or any other stAject which can well be avoided.*^— ^^ow if
•mm w% •iii^ll._ *!__* l."*- i»_ -li»»^^ '— J A- 1 > Ji -
m
•■mII 4aI1 »vkd^ *»«o4 n«a #a— ,
1T2XX t^XS ZXX^ tZXnt XI3f7 ZTJVi
8w% ■•Atfwoai^
St ZV £!"*'•<
material chanf e for the better whw I wai last ia Montreal, iktn I
shall certainly say that I regret extremely that he waa not more w-
gently pressed to take a part in our deliberations ; but till he tell me
1^, I must continue to think, that X or rather we acted with great
consideration for his feeliogs, ia not urging him to do what ht to b^
iiiin inqme-
great deal
he mattera
[cGitL.
1830.
that there
nopflt*
'vant.
Black.
}rl830.
e aonoun-
Preaent Revd. H«nrt Eaaoif, Moderator.
TaoMAa Blackwood,
mu • . . James Lbblib.
The session bemg constituted, Mr. £sson stated that he had called
Ae present me^ng of session, in consequence of the refusal of
H. McKenzie, Esquire, acting session clerk and other elders to fur-
nish him agreeably to his request to that effect with a copy of a paner
admitted to have been sent to Dr. Lee containing remarks on Uie
evidence connected with the subject of the late proceeding of a com-
mittee of session submitted by them to the committee^which Dr
Lee IS covener.
As some of the members who have refused to furnish the naners
required are pnaeaU Mr. Esson proposed that the session shcldd
adjourn uno^ Wednesday next at 2 o'Clock P. M. and that intimation
mwnUng be gven to aU the members of the session of the time
and object of the meeting.
The session accordingly adjourned untU the day above mentioned,
closed with prayer. ■^mmwmw,
H. Essow, Moderator.
rru- J ^. ,. Montreal, 19th May 1830.
1 his day agreeably to adjournment the session met and was consti-
tuted by prayers. vv.,9«
Present Revd. Ma. Essoh, Moderator.
Mr. Blackwood.
u n , , Mr* Lsslib.
Mr. Esson stated ^t as instructed by the session he had given
At a meeting of session held on Monday hist after having been
duty caUed on the preceding Sunday I laid bSbre them a cZ of"
letter containing extracts of mmutes of a committee of session Lned
b^aundrjrmemBers refusing to comply with my request to l^lSv
mshed with aU papers and remarks transmitted by them to Dr. ^ mi
the subject of late proceedings. a^ on
i!«TJi®*^*^^^T"^*^"^*'® ""^^^ '"''' attendance of the member
J?i w J* J ^ ^^^ or papers demanded to atUourn the meetimr
unta Wednesday next the I9tf instant at 2 o»Clockand to prevent thS
possibility of nustake I h^ve been instructed to appri« C of Z
time and object of the meeting and to request yourattendance.
I am Sir,
/to- :ix ''^our obeclient servant,
qK«„b^A-«- * X (^'g"®") H. Essow.
wlwttinwwSl ^°" convenience, please let me know
b«^«!lS^;A** ?;M?F«W, Esqr. acting clerk of the^;s^;ns
be ordered to furnish without delay to the R^d. Hemy Esson, any
auftenticated copy or copies of any and all remarks, memorials or
papers whatever. bAarinff Hiro/.*iv «- :..<):»..ii .u- ' _ ^ . " '
fl
i
him the said (Revd. H. EsRon) which may have been transmitted to
the committee of assembly for Canadian afiairs or whatever other
tribunal the case has been or may hereafter be referred and of
which no copies have hitherto been commuicated to him.
Adjourned until Monday the 24th at 2 o'Clock, P. M. in the church,
and closied with prayer.
(Signed) H. Essoiv, Moderator.
Montreal, Monday 24th May 18SQ.
Sir,
This day the session met according to notice given from the
pulpit yesterday, and was constituted by prayer.
Present Revd. Hbnrt Esson, Moderator.
Thomas Blackwood,
Jamis Leslie.
The proceedings of last meeting being read Mr. Esson stated that
he had transmitted to the committee of enquiry an extract of the order
of session to H. McKenzie, acting session cleric as recorded in their
minutes of 19th and that he had received the following answer viz. (for
answer videprinted papers No.^ — )
Mr. Esson also laid before the session two lettera from H. McKen-
zie, the one dated 20th May and the other dated Thurday evening ,
20th May 1S30.
The doorkeeper delivered another letter signed by the Revd. Mr.
Black C. Ross, J. Carauell, R. Armour and H. McKenzie dated
20th May and containing a tripUcate of the letter of 20th of same
month of which a copy was already laid before the session by the
Revd. Mr. Esson.
The dooi^eeper being called before the session and asked by the
Revd. Mr. Esson whether he had not been sent by him (Mr. Esson)
to his house on Wednesday the 19th instant about 2 o'Clock p. m. to
enquire if there were any letters or notes for him (ntr. Esson's) he
replied that he had, and vras answered by his (mt. Esson) servantman,
that there were no lettera or notes for Mr. Esson but that he cannot
now remember whether it was Monday or Wednesday of that week but
to the best of his recollection it was Wednesday.
Resolved, as H. McKenzie acting session clerk as well as four
other members composing the committee of enquiry into the moral
character of the Revd. Henry Esson, have retused to comply with
the order of session dated 19 May 1830, that the said committee be
dissolved and it is hereby dissolved accordingly.
Resolved that this resolution be communicated to the absent mem-
bera of the session now in town by the Moderator. The Session ad-
journed, closed with prayer.
(Signed) H. Esson, Moderator.
Montreal, Friday 24th September 1830.
At a meeting of the session held this day.
Present Revd. mr. Esson,
MR. Blackwood,
Mk.
j,jS3Lx£.
ansmitted to
latever other
rred and of
1 the church,
lerator.
lay 1830.
BO from the
[oderator.
OOD,
D stated that
of the order
rded in their
wer viz. (for
H: McKen-
rdajr evenmg .
I Revd. Mr.
Cenzie dated
!Oth of same
sssion by the
asked by the
(Mr. Esson)
'lock p. H. to
Es8on*s) he
servantman,
Lt he camiot
hat week but
well as four
ito the moral
comply with
sommittce be
absent mem-
B i^ession ad-
Moderator.
iber 1830.
)N,
CKWOOD,
Lis.
.t ^IJJ^ ^ ^ «e«iion do adjourn to We dnesday next 99th inst.
at one o'clock »• m. and that intimation of the said adjournment be
5TJSS tr'P t£11^' "r *^* ".^ forenoon iiSSSU^
of^Sunday nezt The session adjourned accordingly, closed with
(Signed)^ H. Esson, Moderator.
Montreal, 29th September lAnn
(At a meeting of Session held pursuant to no?ce ?
Present Revd. rf.NRv Esson. M4rator.
Thomas Blackwood.
The Reverend Mr. Esson stated that Ha haA e^u u u- j .
-ubnut to the Session and to have r^ord^b its^itsl^oten'^
important facts, connected with recent proceeZ^S?«i!j^°«
admuustration of the Sacrament that wSk rtL -?^ T* * !»?/"' ^^e
Leshe and Blackwood noM of rtl^ mrTr®!.®^''®^*'*® of Messrs.
of these>:castn:;iLrbr42^cT^^^^ -*»»-
last meetuur, on Fridav thn 2diKi^ul*u uW ^' ™ Session at
Reven,n?i: BiL5r;!:^eiL^'tfTri^:^o? srsir^ *? *^
Uon be given from the pulpU after divbese^^-fTri **»**.«»*»"»-
meeting to be held this dayL^ith \S JJITJ! 1 ^^ '"Uoumed
Bl«:k) had not thought piiperTcompl^buT^^^^
wh.h^(Mr.EssonTt^X-^aX^^^^^^
des^^r;:ir "orSf t: a^.^uS's'r -^^f ^^ ^*^ -^'y
the constiLon uid laws S wSXrch InH * "'"™'*^^*^ ^^''^y ^^
members of Session in promoI?Xw^J«^ 7 "'* ^' *«
was impossible for him to perfora hk d.Jv ^ ! i "^"^^S^^on it
in tho^e'members of SessirX K LJ^^^^^
tremely irregular and seemed to for^ thSteTe'loTZJv "i^ ^^I
as well as the ministers by their on«n vJvoL tT^^^^.^^^^
and order of our church so lo^^ Aw ,J^' ^L^S*"* *° *« J*'^''
capacity of office bear4!!and^he„ Aev^S^*- ** *^ "^"'^ ^"
their concience to act-their^^^ to^ Jt *' "»«<»«»«tent with
steps to obtain the correction S^^ollr^^ ^'^^^^ and regular
they may think they ^ve<;iuircotpW^'2l*rf^^^ ''^''^
meet to do this it b4mie their plain dZ*^ «W^- ? *®^ t"^ "<** »««
or to fulfil their duties and b acco^S^A tif i^T "^T ''f''''
vows which they have taken to StS "^ *"*' '**^«'""
_ H. Esson, Moderstor,
• See printed papers no.-f See printed papers no.
i ■,
llontrMl, € August, ISSf.
This day the Session met at the House of the ReverMtd H. EUnmb
and was constituteu by prayer.
Present The Revd. H. Essoiv, Mod^ratXNr.
T. Blacewood, Esqi Elder.
J. LasLiB, Esq. Elder.
The minutes of last meetiiig of Session hayina been read and
approved, the Moderator read a letter from A. White^ Esquire, of
which the following is a copy.
Montreal, August 6th 1831.
Reverend Sir,
In reply to your note of yesterday, I have to inform you that I
dedine taking any active part in the aifaurs of fte Bt. CHdirMd Church
for the present.
I am respectfully youft, ftc.
(Signed) Andeiw Wftrrt.
To the Revd. Mr. Esson,
The Moderator then laid upon the table of the session, a cogr of a
paper which he had communicated to Mr. Black and the four slders
therein named on the l&th day of February last (here insert it) con-
taining the grounds or reasons on which he (Mr. Esson) conridered
that the said Elders had abdicated their offices or deposed themselves
Mr. Esson stated at the same time that in consequence of the ab-
sence of Junes Leslie, Esquire, who at the date aforesaid was
attending his duties as a Member of Kyfiament at Quebec, being
impossible for him to hold a Sesson as ibem was onhr one of the
Elden who acted with him then in Town, he had AoaAt it his dut^
to take the advice of some of his brother clei^ymtti nHbo had unam-
mourty «oneurred to sanction his proceedings, and whose letter on
the subject he Uien read and laid upon the taMe: Unt in conse-
quence of those occurrences which had taken place since the last
meeting of session, he had not felt himself warrant^ to summon any
of the four Elders aforesud— and though he had hitherto as matter oif
Gourte^ peraiitted the Reverend E. Black to sit aud vote and even to
preside alternately with himself in the session, he had now come to
the determinaticHi, in consequence of recent proceeilings to assert
h«iceforth his own exclusive right to stuaofnon ^tneetines of Session
and to preside in them, and therefore had not invited Mr. Black to
attend Uie present meeting.
That he now submitted these matters to the consideration of the
Session and requested them to pronouncdtheirJudgmentinthesame.
The Session concurred in the reasons assigned by the moderator for
not summoning the Reverend E. Black, Henry MacKenzie, Robert
Armour, James Caravel and Philip Ross, formerly members of the
Session to this meeting.
The moderator next laid upon the table of the Session ajmnted
Circular, containing an abstract of the minutes of the late meetine of
Synod held at Kingston in the b^inning of June last, from which it
appears, inter alia, that die Churches in Lower Canada in conimunion
with &d Church of Scotland had been constituted into a Presbytery^ to
be deaomiaated the Presbytery of Qucb^o-^aiid that the flzst mestiug
h^.'t.,.Jji!k,
\i
at, issr.
I H. EMoa
Alitor.
Bmi EMer.
Elder.
1 read and
Ssquiret of
th 1831.
t you that I
riel Church
WftlTB.
aeoprofa
four Klders
leit it) con-
coiiridered
themselvei
I of the ab-
reseiid was
lebec, being
one of the
I it hit dn^
hadunani-
se letter on
itinconse-
nee the last
iimmonany
IS matter oir
and even to
ow come to
s to aissert
t of Session
[r. Black to
itidn of the
n the same,
oderator for
sie, Robert
fibers of the
D aprinted
meeting of
)m which it
communion
fesbytery to
ifit zuestttig
of th«; said Presbytery is appointed to be held in Montreal on the 10th
day of this month. — Wherefore the Session proceeded to the Election
of a RuUng Elder to represent the Session of the Scotch Chorch of
St. Gabriel street at the ensuing meeting of the Presbytery of Quebec
in this City, when James Leslie. Esquim, was appointed to that
office. r u •
The moderator next laid upon the table an extract of the mmutes
of the late meeting of Synod recommendmg that the Church of Saint
Gabriel street should be opened for public worship on Sunday the
Idth June last . whereupon it was resolved that the Ruling Elder be
instructed on behalf of this Session to express their extreme regr^
that the said recommendation had not been complied witih, and their
earnest desire to cooperate with the Reverend the Presbytery in such
measures »s in their wisdom they may deem it advisable to adopt in
order to have the recommendation of the Synod carried into effect
without further delay. „ , .
And it was further agreed that Ae RuKng Elder be instructed on
the part of the Session, most respectfully but eattiestly to solicit that
in ttie event of its being impracticable at present to have the church
opened for public worship, the very Reverend the Presbytery will be
pleased in compassion to the unhappy state of this Congregation, who
are as sheep without a Shepherd, to appoint under its special autho-
rity and sanction, some time and place, when an
A. Mathieson. )
^ ^j. Wednesday Morning.
u .- I J»a^e received your queries " are there any circumstances in
which Elders are warranted," &c.
In answer to these queries I beg leave to state: —
1st. That, i; a session ha.s acted in all cases constitutionally
towards their lawfully ordained minister then he has no right per ae
to nommate and ordain new Elders.
2d If
summom
appearing
a Sessior
nister ex(
they hav€
or suspen
they have
act as if i
Church d
which has
To the R«
1
me
1
2d If however the Elders of a congregation on beinc recularlv
summoned to attend a meeting of Sessk>n%hall refuse to apfeaJ or
appearing shall refuse to be constituted into a Sessionlor acC as
a Session shaU negative any relevant motion or proplal of ffm?
trvhr'P'*'^"'"'J""*^."[^°*«« '" ^ constituted SesJ^onr'rn'
they have m my opinion, either virtually resigned their own officeT:
Ze^ZT"^ *' "r ? "" ^'"""^ ^' functons which latt^pr^ee^W
I^7«» r .r P'"''^'' *° **° ' consequently, in either case he is lefttS
act as If there was a total vacancy and to proceed as the laws of the
Church direcm such cases, provided there be no ZS court
which has full power to take cognizanceof their p.oceed£S
To the Revd. Mr. Esson.
I am yours truly,
Alex. Mathieson.
[iVb. .]
I HWJKiyED a Notice, signed by Mr. P. Roes, to attend a Meeting
of the Session on Friday, the 18th December last, to receive the Report
8k* This Meeting I did not attend.
On Tuesday, 29th December, I attended a Meeting of the Membera
ot Session, by Mr. Esson's' request ; several other persons were also
present. Mr. Black, of his own accord, acted as Moderator, and con-
stituted the Session by prayer; he also went through the same form
at the conclusion of the eederunt. At this meeting Mr. Esson read a
paper containing remarks on the Report of the Committee of Session
and on the conduct of bis colleague. Some affidavits or declarations
were also read, and verbal statements made relative to the accusations
against him.— Mr. Esson had stated, before beginning to read, that be
would give the paper to the Session, or lay it on their table, <^ without
specitying at what time, so far as I can remember.) He was asked by
Mr. Black to give it in, after he had finished reading it; but he declined
at that ume, stating that it was prepared in haste, &c., and required
revision ; and one person, (Whitelaw, I think,) whom be wished to
attend there, was unable to come, or came and could not wait until he
was wanted. A vote was then passed by a nuy'ority of the Session
that Mr. Esson should dehver the paper in immedUtely.
Notwithswnding this vote, I expected the Session would have re-
ceived Mr. Esson s remarks and explanations (or protests, or whatever
else they might call it) at a future day to be agreed upon. The event
however, has shewn that I was mistaken; for circular notices, dated
only two days after.^being the 3ist of December, were issued by the
bession on the 2nd January, calling a meeting of « the membera of the
congregation, on Thursday, the 7th of same month. This neeting
accordmgly took place, and was attended by a "goodly number" of
membere, but was found to be improper in itself, and likewise irregu-
larly adled. After some warmth having been manifested by several
individuals, the meeting broke up without appointing a chairman.
There seemed to be an understanding or intimation that an application
would be made to the temporal committee to call a meeting, at aa early
rT "atlons^&T*^***''^'^'' °°'^' '° conformity with the « Rules and
(Signed) THOMAS BLACKWOOD.
Montreal, 22nd January, 1830.
We concur with the foregoirife, having been present at the meeting.
(Siirned) JAMES LESLIE,
^'"gned) ANDREW SHAW.
♦ .
'M%it^•i a... nfti^^tf^
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS TO THE APPENDIX.
.1
No.
1.
2.
S.
4.
6.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Statement read before the Session on the 27th December, 1829,
and afterwards transmitted to Dr. Lee.
AflBdavit of Campbell Sweeny, Jun. on the evidence of Roealie
Boilpaa and Eliza Cunningham*
Affidavit of Mrs. James Young, in reference to E. Canmngham.
Affidavit of Anthony Hamilton, on the same, and varioos other
matters.
Affidavit of Sarah Nozon, &c.
Letter of M. M'lntyre to H. Esson.
Declaration of Thomas A. Turner,/ Esquire, on the character of E.
^ Cunningham.
Lettev of Robert Sweeny, Esq. to H. Esson.
Letter of P. H. Ogilvy, to the same.
Letter of J. M'Connel and Wm. M'Kenzie, and Affidavit of the
latter gentleman on the evidence of Mr. Cheney.
Statement of Evidence by J. Whitlaw before John Fisher, Esq. J.P.
and Alexander Dewar.
Declarations of James Isdell and John Blackwood, Jun. in refer-
ence to Mr. Wbitlaw's evidence.
Declaration of James Court, in reference to the origin of the
rumoui-8, Mr. Howden, &c.
Declaration of John Blackwood, Jun. in reference to conversations
with Messrs. Carmichael and Howden, &c.
Declaration of James Isdell, Teacher, in reference to Mr. Bruce's
evidence.
Evidence of Thomas Mathews, in reference to Bruce's evidence, &c.
lividence of Mrs. xMalcolm, Housekeeper, in reference to Mr.
llisson B habits of life.
Certificate of Lawrence C. O'Donoughue, on the same.
aS I ''J* **J2."'^^®' "«*'«y' ^'^^ ""^ ^'"'a™ Dorn, on the same.
Affidavit of Thomas Mathews, on the same.
..^aaiWlA»»4i«fl
ti
No.
21. Circular Letter by Mr. Esaon to the Clergymen of the Church of
Scotland. . . -
22. Letter of H. Mackenzie to Rev. H. Eseon, containing aome reflec-
tions on bis conduct.
38. Certificate of Rev. A. Matbieson, in reference to the allegationa
in the preceding letter. /
2i, Answer of H. Esson to Letter No. 22.
•25. Reply hy H. Mackenzie.
26. Letter of Rev. H. Esson in answer.
27. Letter of H. Mackenzie to H. Esson. "
28. Declaration of Mr. Thomas Blackwood, Elder, in reference to the
.Meeting of Session of 2nd February, 1831.
29. Letter of Dr. Harkness to Rev. H. Esson, on the proceedings ot
the Committee of Session. ^
80. Letter of Dr. Harkness and others to Rev. H. Esson, on Ihe Ur-
dination of Elders. t j « *i.
31. Declaration of John Blackwood, Jun. and James Isdell, on the
Meeting of Session of 29lh December, 1829.
32. Letter of Thomas Blackwood to Rev. Edward Black, on the sub-
ject of his Circular. ,
33. Statement by Thomas Bhickwood of various Meetings and pro-
ceedings regarding the aflfairs of the Church in St. Gabriel
Street, in addition to what he has formerly stated m these
matters.
34. Letter of J. Leslie to Rev. H. Esson, on the same subject.
35. Letter of Thomas Blackwood to the Arbitratoi-^
36. Extracts from the Minutes of a Meeting of the Committee of
Management, for taking into consideration the state of the
Church Funds, with a view of liquidating the Ministers' stipends.
Date 10th November, 1825.
37. Letter of Rev. E. Black to H. Mackenzie, (1823.)
38. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, (same date.)
39. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, (1825.) in reference
to the proposal of the Committee, See No. 36.
40. Letter of Rev. E. Black to H. Mackenzie, on the same subject.
41. Letter of Rev. H. Esson to Rev. E. Black, on the same subject.
42. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, inclosing a copy of a
Letter to Mr. Porteous.
43. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Thomas Porteous, Esq.
44. Letter of C. Tait, Secretary, to the Rev. Messrs. Somerville, Esson,
and Black.
45. Copy of Minutes of a Meeting of the Committee, convened by a
Letter from Rev. E. Back, requesting payment of a balance.of
Salary due to him by the Church.
46. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Urqu'nart.
47. Letter of Rev. H. Urquhart to Rev. E. Black, in reply to his two
Questions.
Ill
Jhnrch of
aereflec-
UegatioDB
nee to the
B«dings of
)ii die Or-
U, on the
D the sab-
and pro-
t. Gabriel
I in these
ict.
amittee of
ite of the
b' stipends.
subject.
) subject.
i copy of a
ille, Esson,
vened by a
L balance.of
to his two
No. .
48. Remark of Lord Dalhonsie (in bis own hand>writing) on the plan
of a College submitted to him by Rev. H. Esson and others.
49. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, requesting an inter-
view, (1825.)
50. Letter of the same to the same, (1 827.)
51. Letter of Rev. H. Esson to Rev. E. Black, in reply to the preceding.
52. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, in reply to the preceding.
53. Letter of Rev. H. Esson to Rev. E. Black, in reply to the preceding.
54. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, declining to finniiSi
Mr. E. with certain papers.
55. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson.
56. Letter of the same to the same.
57. Letter of the same to the same.
58. Lettir of the same to the same.
59. Letter of Rev. H. Esson to Rev. E. Black.
60. Letter of Dr. Harkness to Rev. E. Black, on the difference snb-
mitted to bis decision.
61. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, enclosing a copy of
Dr. Harkness's Letter.
62. Letter of Rev. H. Esson to Rev. E. Black, assigning the cause of
his not answering the preceding Letter.
63. Letter of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson.
64. Letter of Rev. E. Black to John Fisher, Esquire, President of the
Committee of the Scotch Church, St. Gabriel Street.
66. Letter of Rev. H. Esson to Rev. E. Black, in reference to the
opinions of Messrs. Bethune, Stevens, Henderson, &c.
66. better of Rev. E. Black to Rev. H. Esson, in answer to the
T forgoing.
67. Letter of Rev. A. Matbieson to Rev. H. Esson, on the subject of
certain allegations advanced in Session by Rev. E. Black and
H. Mackenzie agunst Mr. E.
68. Letter of H. Mackenzie in answer to a request of Mr. Esson to be
put in possession of some evidence on the points in dispute
between Mr. Black and him
69. Letter of the late T. Porteous, Esq. to Rev. H. Esson, declining
to comply with his request to be furnished with a copy of some
evidence on the same subject.
70. Letter of Dr. Harkness, intimating his intention to give a decision,
" since opinions went for nothing," &c.
71. Letter of Dr. Harkness to Mr. Esson, on the cbaiges of disrespect.
&c. advanced by Messrs. Black and Mackenzie.
72. Letter of Mr. M'Gill on behalt of his friend Mr. Black.
73. Note of Mr. Black of 4th July, 1830, requesting Mr. Esson to
intimate that there would be no service on the afternoon of the
C'unday following.
74. Minutes of a Meeting of Session, called by Mr. Esson to demand
a copy of a Paper transmitted to Dr. Lee, which had been pro-
vsoagly refassd.
m
^/
■#''.
ih
♦
IV
No. ^ , ,
75» Minntw on the mmt soiqect.
76. Minutof on the sane tnbject.
77. MinntM on the. samo wijiject. . ^ . ^ ^ j.,. r»^ *„ ^i^
78. MinntM of a Meeting of Session to choose a Rnlmg Eider lor tne
79. Inu^^^^n in the rftemoon of Sonday, 80th Febn«ry, 1881.
bv the Rer. H. Easpn. ^ ,, . . .^^ •
80. Let^r^ the Rev. SJe^u to the Rev. A. M^thiejon, craving
the opinion of the latter on the Ordinatioli of Elde».
81. Letter o? Rev. A. Mathieson to Mr- EMon »» rfP^: . g^
82. Declaration of Thomas Blackwood. Elder, on the Meeting of Ses-
sion of 29th December, 1829.
er for the
«y, 1881,
I, owriag
^ef Sm-