LETTER OF
The GOSPEL TRUTH CHARLES G. FINNEY
1869
To J. W. Feeter
4 February 1869
[MS in Finney Papers, Supplement # 170]
Finney received the following letter from J. W. Feeter of Feeter & Baker, 128 Broadway, New York:
New York, Feb 1st 1869
Mr Charles G. Finney
Oberlin, Ohio
Dear Sir, Mr Lauren Ford departed this life on the 10th January last past. At the request of Mr James K. Ford his son, I enclose herewith the assignment by you to Mr L. Ford, of your Judgment agt Samuel Wise for $2263.21 Nov 19, 1864, reinstating your own ownership of the Judgt, Mr J. K. Ford not desiring to take charge of it.
Mr L. Ford had been opposing Wise's discharge in Bankruptcy in U.S. Court on allegations of fraud by Wise. Mr Ford always believed Wise had placed his property in his wife's hands to defraud his creditors. Those proceedings are still pending - should you desire to oppose Wise discharge. The papers & any information I have I would cheerfully render
Mr Ford has been with me in the office.
(over) Yours Respectfully
J. W. Feeter
[page 2]
All the papers in relation to the Bankruptcy proceeding are in my office, and I would deliver them to any person you may direct. I never examined the cause but know Mr Ford had considerable confidence - that he could prevent Wise, discharge.
please, acknowledge Receipt.
Finney's reply is as follows:
Copy. Oberlin 4th Feb, 1869.
J. W. Feeter Esq. Dr. Sir, I herewith return the
assignment you sent me. I have no doubt that Mr. Wise
intended to defraud me, but I did not propose to sue him
at law. L. Ford Esqr, was my Agent to let my building in
N. York, & under a power of Attorney to that effect, he comm
enced suit against Mr. Wise, a former tenant, to
recover unpaid rent. I was at that time in England
& did not order any proceedings against Mr. Wise.
When I returned from England Mr. Ford promised me that the
suit against Mr. Wise should, in no event, involve me
in any trouble or expense, & that he would secure
me against the payment of all costs. Mr. Ford obta
ined a judgment against Mr. Wise, but the execution
has returned 'Non Est' of course. Mr. Ford
then insisted that either that I should pay
his costs or allow proceedings to be commenced against
Mr Wise, to show that he was guilty of fraud in putting
his property into the hands of his wife. I refused to be
a party to any such suit, & finally transferred the
judgment against Mr. Wise to Mr. Ford. In the mean
time I had appointed another agent & annulled
the power of attorney held by Mr. Ford.
I have a duplicate of the assignment you sent me,
& also Mr. Fords assurance that my name should
not be used in any proceedings he might commence again
against Mr. Wise. The assignment was made upon con
dition that, in no event, should I be subject to any
cost on account of any further legal proceedings against
Mr. Wise. I do not wish to have any thing to do with this business.
I am not a party to in the proceedings against Mr. Wise, & do not wish
to be. As Mr. Fords representative, Mr. James Ford will, of course,
do as he likes. I have known nothing of the matter since I made
the assignment of the Judgment to Mr. Ford. (over)
[page 2]
Please return the assignment to Mr. James
Ford with the assurance of my sympathy
in his afflictions, & my best wishes for the
restoration of his health.
C. G. Finney