"This money we consider as having been fru gally and judiciously expended by Mr. Stone. The members of the Benevolent Society believe there can be little doubt, but he will have a large appropriation when they sit next. He has also had the privilege of occasionally drawing books from our library for his use while in college.

"EDWARD CLARKE,

"JOHN M. CLAYTON, "JOHN D. ECCLES,

"Members of the committee of ap"propriation of the Benevolent So"ciety of Yale College. "New-Haven, July 5th, 1815."

The complaints against Messrs. STONE and STARR, inserted from page 68 to 71, are for the foul crime of slander. The article of charge against Mr. Stone, he has acknowledged, but justifies his procedure. The evidence in proof, respecting Mr. Starr, is sufficiently furnished by the letter of Mr. Tallmadge, inserted in the 55th page. It is left with the reader to decide, whether there was just cause of grievance with either, or all, against whom I had commenced a labour; and whether policy did not require a speedy alteration of the constitution, as the only possible method of escape. Under these circumstances, is it a matter of wonder, that charges should have been framed

against me? A time and place fixed upon for trial, as we have already noticed? That such distin guished witnesses should be selected to testify? That the remarkable discovery should be made, that they could not as a body act out of their limits? That such singular measures should be pursu ed at the trial, to accomplish the summit of their wishes? the remarkable facility of Mr. Beach, in communicating statements of facts, both at home and abroad? And the novel method of reciproca ting friendly feelings? Or even the singular spectacle of one, from without, exclaiming," they have done well ???

To me it is evident, that the real facts and pro ceedings "beggar description."

It ought not, perhaps, to escape observation, that the exertions of the virulent first commenced by taxing me with "being plunged into the cares of the world." Those who first urged this plea have contributed liberally to the accomplishment of it. One of them shortly after greatly increased the burden, when, by his successful slanders of Mr. R. Stone, it caused the expense of his education chiefly to devolve upon me. But their united efforts have greatly added to the stock. The first persecution involved me in an expense of more than 150 dollars. The last has produced a sacrifice of about 1300 dollars. This is truly to be "plunged into the cares of the world." Will they! claim that it is any seeking of my own? Or will they make a merit of their plea?

But the virulent, by their slanders, it would seem, "have out sinned all reckoning." Their activity in this respect, does not appear to have abated. Like heavy peals of distant thunder, the foul echo roars. Since they have been apprised that I was about to publish their proceedings, insinuations have been industriously propagated by them, that I was extremely virulent towards them and that it argued the want of a christian temper.

But can it be called virulence to detect the robber or the assassin, although he may be clad in a comely dress? Will it be denominated virulence to detect guilt under whatever forms? If so, what appellation must be given to the diligent magistrate, the energetic judge, and the faithful embassador of Immanuel?

Their very plea discovers its origin and design. And yet, this very insinuation I have traced to the threshold of this combination.

1

As if this would not excite sufficient odium, in the public mind, to prevent the reading or circulation of the publication, which might develope their iniquity, these active partisans have, of late, been laboriously engaged, in circulating fresh slanders, designed to affect my moral character. I have received information from a credible source, that this last aspersion has been traced back, and found to center in these foul calumniators.

The delineation of the "proscription" will be closed, with a few considerations addressed to the members of the association, who convened at Cornwall, on the second Tuesday of August, 1817.

REV. SIRS. We have been attending to the developement of a subject awfully alarming in its nature, and immensely interesting in its consequences. Its effects will not be limited to the narrow bounds of time, but will extend into an awful and boundless eternity. It has been with painful emotions and heartfelt regret, that the unwelcome task has devolved on me, in the discharge of an act of duty, which imperious necessity seemed to require. Yet the cause of God, of truth, and of suffering humanity, appeared to me loudly to demand it. Had no other interest been involved but my own, and were there no direful effects resulting to others, in time and eternity, I would have bled in si lence under the cruel wounds which have been inflicted, and have endured the suffering, and tor-

1

tures which have been imposed upon me without a struggle. But, to have thus calmly submitted, under existing circumstances, would, in my view,' have been a refusal" to rest in Heaven's determination," and to involve myself in awful guilt, by concealing the known guilt of those, which I was solemnly bound to disclose. Will it be urged that the interests of religion will suffer by such a disclosure? It will be remembered that there is no communion between holiness and sin, and the commission of iniquity under the assumed garb of purity is not religion. God can take care of his church, without the aid of the openly vicious to preserve it from harm.

What desk can be hallowed and blessed, by the grossly impure, as a co-worker with infinite purity? What church and people could expect the smiles of heaven under such an administration? Where could there be earthly confidence and serenity? If one may be proscribed, with impunity, merely to screen guilt, or satiate envy, must not others share a similar fate, who endanger the views of the guilty, or impede the ambition of the aspiring? Would not iniquity thus grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength?".

With these considerations, I could not hesitate, respecting the path of duty. In the preceding developement, it has been my sincere aim to exhibit a plain narrative of the real state of facts, so far as I have been enabled to collect information. If there is the least suggestion which deviates from the truth, of which I have not the least knowledge or consciousness, I sincerely regret it, and most heartily retract it.

In review of this subject, I request you to pause, and solemnly to reflect upon what you have done, Can you justify your proceedings, when you shall be called to appear before the bar of infinite purity, "where every work will be brought into judgment, with every secret," as well as public transaction

The solemn hour is near, when we shall meet face to face before a righteous and impartial judge. Territorial boundaries cannot there exclude our at tendance. There no disguises can screen the guil ty. There no intrigue, slander, falsehood, perjury, injustice, or oppression can elude detection. Selemn, awful hour! Permit me to ask you, who have been officious, and actively engaged in each persecution, whether you can reflect upon your conduct without the most alarming apprehensions? The lan guage of inspiration is, "whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off." And have you not, waving all other considerations, violated the golden rule, " do to others as you would that others should do unto you?" Would you have been willing to be calumniated and traduced, when unconscious of having given any just cause for reproach? Would you have been willing to be arraigned, in the manner and form which you have adopted and pursued with me, with all the aggravating circumstances attending, when you were ignorant of having given the slightest occasion for either censure or reproof, and when you sought for no privilege but that of being heard in your own vindication? Would you be willing to be censured and vilified for no other reason, than to shield your active persecu tors from the detection and punishment of their own crimes? Had you attacked me on the highway, like a band of robbers, and destroyed my life, I should have deemed the act of moral turpitude far less aggravated, than in the present case. My reputation, and that of my family and friends, would not have been wantonly tarnished. And could the act of the perpetrators have been concealed, the minis try would not have been thus foully dishonoured. Who will be answerable for these evils, and the consequences which will flow from their commission? Have not the probable falsehoods and slanders of two of your number primarily given rise to the whole of this train of evils? And had not an ak