Bishop onderdonk's Statement.

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES


CONNECTED WITH THE RECENT
Trial Of the Bishop Of New York.
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Trial Of the Bishop Of New York.


Statement OF Facts, Sc.


On the first day of last October. I left home for
the city of Philadelphia, to attend to my duties as
member OF our General Ecclesiastical Conven.
tion, which was to meet in that city. The Con-
vention OF my own diocese had Just closed its an
nual session 1t had been unusually large and dis
tnguished BY, very marked degree OF unity and
harmony. The circumstances under which il as.
sembled were such as to render its proceedings a
very special proof Of the kindest feelings of con-
fdence and affection on the part of the clergy and
laity Of the diocese toward their Bishop The re-
ports laid before it, and there made to me. gave
strong evidence OF the divine goodness in blessing
the diocese with large measure OF spiritual and
temporal good


Rejoicing in the consolation and encouragement
thus afforded, | repaired TO the General Conyen-
humble and grateful devotion to the Church. Soon,
however, it became manifest, from the department
Of several Of my Right Reverend brethren, that
they had somewhat against me- They said nothing.
Not word did hear of any rumors or accusa-
hons against me; not word OF a brothers. anxiety
to be set right; not word of fraternal warning
caution, or admonition. Gold, repusive, discou-
teous manner told dark and uncertain tale on
which christian converse might and should have
thrown light.


Some SIX or seven days after the opening of the
Convention, when the House Of Bishops were
about coming to order. Bishop Meade approached
me, and suggested that had better leave the
J aouse- expressed my surprise, and asked why
he made the suggestion. He said he could not
myncif.. On my repeating my surprise at a propo-
Eticn DO dark and suspicious, and SO little com
porting with the courtesy of gentleman, the duty
Christian, he said that il continued In the House
my feelings might be hurt. This increased my
surprise, and demanded of him his reasons for
!. so strange procedure He hesitated about giving
any exclamation. warmly exlostulated with him
pm the injustice and the wickedness Of the course
he Wa pursuing. At length, as if reluctantly COM
Peiro ne SAID that there were reports unfayorable
{o my character, respecting which he wished to
Tugt vas just indignation, and expressed myself to
ythie eject Now my course is clear. l will not
shrink. will remain at my post. If any man has
say what 1t is. also spoke strongly of his I'M
worthy design of inducing me to withdraw, that
ne might, In my absence, make my character and
Conduct the subject OF discussion in the House Of
Bishops. He replied-Not in the House Of Bishops,
but before the Bishops informally This unhoy
evasion was the subject of severe remarks, but
trust not more severe than it deserved. asked
not at liberty to tell and there our conversa-
tion ended This was all ever heard from this
brother OF his having aught against me until he
was about to become one OF my presenters for
tIlal. Yet l have good evidence that Bishop
Meade HAD, tor years, been speaking against me,
and contributing towards public rumor to my pre-
judice





again, and said in substance-You were right.
will have nothing mere to do with the matter.
They must attend to their own business. These
last words satisfied me that he had been acting in
concert with others. And when we consider the
darkness and secrecy with which he acted his part,
ha~ cca-an honorable and christian man thiak
otherwise than tnat he was connected with con-


On, think, Monday, October l4,h, the Pre-.
fSs ss5s,1 BhHP in his has place in the House s Of
copy had been previously sent to me, directed
to him as President, which he asked if it wac
the pleasure of the. House to have read. Its
purDort was demanded by one Of the Bishops
Bishop Chase the Presiding Bishop. said that it re-
New York, and he asked me If l wished to retire
Ot course, SO extraordinary an inquiry, was an
swered In the negative. Earnest remonstrance
was made by several of the Bishops against the pro-
House, and against its being received, opened, or
read because it was uncanonical and disorderly
to bring Bishops character under the official no.
nce ta OF MS brethren except in the mode pointed
receive the document, and its being returned uno.
pened to the persons who had presented It, Ineed
hardly say that felt myself deeply injured by the
agent IN 80 irregular and unjust procedure, as
bringing such document into the House.


On or about Thursday, Oct. 18th, understood
the Rev. James g. Richmond, of Rhode Island,
injurious to my character and were placed in the
hands Of Bishop Elliott.


OF MI. Richmond it is unnecessary that say much.
His cratic pecullaries are well known. He had
but a few weeks before, called me, and express
ed warm desire to return to my diocese, that he
might be my friend and stand by me in my troubles:


nave since neaTd M o. nv hay,ns expressed himself
wrote TO the Archbishop Of Canterbury unfavora-
BILE to his well known project of going as a volun-
teer Bishop TO the Turks; and also for my not sane
tloning his desire to preach in one Of the public
squares IN this city. He was now employed for my
destruction, and told clerical brother the Rev.
Mr. Van Bokkelen, that his expenses were paid


On Tuesday, October 22d, Bishop Ives informed
me that ne had heard the afidavits read. I un-
derstood that certain of my friends had been very
urgent Tor an opportunity being allowed them and
me OF either seeing Or hearing them. This was
me, they were read to three of nv friends not de-
signated by myself. Here was certainly piece of
great injustice, that being denied either sight or
hearing OF these afiidayits, | should not even be
see them in my behalf.


From what Bishop Ives told me of his recoec-
ton of the affidavts, said at that they con-
tained misrepresentation and gross exaggerations
told Bishop Ives, moreover, that was confident
that 1t could have a conversation with Bishop
Elliot, incuding an opportunity OF seeing or hear
ing the ,affidavits, ! cosld make such statemants
and explanations as he would see to have just
claim upon his consideration in reference to the
question, whether there was ground tor present.
msnt. | asked Bishop Ives to request of Bishop
was made and refused. The most solemn assur-
.nce and pledge Of honor, however, were gwen
by Bishop Elliott, that he would not become pre-
senter until my friends and myself should have the
opportunity which | asked. i complained alter
wards to Bishop Doane, OF what thought the un-
Just and ungenerous course Of Bishop Elliott in re-
fuslng me sight or hearing OF the charges, and
an opportunity Of explanation. Bishop Doane SYM
pathlsed with my view Of the case, and promised
to speak TO Bishop Elliott. He did so, and the re-
suit was the same refusal tor the present. and the
same promise and pledge that my request should be
met before he Bshop Elliott) would act US pre-
senter.


was told, further, that besides the afidavits
then in hand, large number Of others would be
forthcoming by the following Friday morning, Oc-
tober 25th. My calls at home rendered it neces-
sary for me to leave Philadelphia on the mornina
OF Thursday, oath. In New York, Bishop Ives,
who had come on about the same time, observed
to me that need be under no apprehension Of the