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		Private.

Dr. H. Hayes Ward.

	Dear sir.
	The men of my family are all unwilling to have me go before that committee as every witness in these cases have been scarified worse than the parties. Mr. Stanton thinks my affidavit as to all I know would answer every purpose. Before a committee I might
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I might answer some question, or accidentally make some remark, where I might not have exact knowledge, to substantiate my opinion. 
	I have told you all I know about this social earthquake, so you can judge whether it is of any real value to your case. And this much I may add that as I have never seen Mr. Bowen, he is
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not “the lake”, where calm water have revealed what I have seen, or heard
	Sincerely yours
	Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Tenafly N.J. March 18th
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[blank page]
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[typed transcript]

Alma Lutz Collection

COPY

[Mar. 18] [ 1870’s]

Private

Dr. H. Hayes Ward

	Dear sir:
	The men of my family are all unwilling to have me go before that committee as every witness in these cases have been scarified worse than the parties. Mr. Stanton thinks my affidavit as to all I know would answer every purpose. Before a committee I might I might answer some question, or accidentally make some remark, where I might not have exact knowledge to substantiate my opinion. 
	I have told you all I know about this social earthquake, so you can judge whether it is of any real value to your case. And this much I may add that as I have never seen Mr. Bowen, he is not “the lake”, where calm water have revealed what I have seen, or heard
	Sincerely yours
	Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Tenafly, N.J. March 18th

Undoubtedly refers to the Beecher-Tilton case and Plymouth Church committee’s investigation of charges against Henry Ward Beecher