Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

By the mails.

A short time since we published an account of the treatment which the Rev. Mr. Champion received from one Joseph L. Smith, a democratic committee man, for the celebration of the 4th of July, 1776, which day, by the by, the exclusive friends of the people in Connecticut, or certain worthy considerations, commemorated on the 6th of August. Smith has given, what, he says, is a true account of his conduct, on that day, but it is an old saying, "that he who steals, will not be backward in denying it."

Smith, on seeing a statement of his rude and barbarous treatment of the venerable and aged Clergyman, publishes a contradiction of it, thereby adding falsehood to insult.

From The Litchfield Monitor.

Rev. Mr. Champion's statement.

The Rev. Mr. Huntington and I went to the meeting house on the 6th of Aug. between 10 and 11 o'clock A.M. A sentry stood with a gun across the door. I told him we wished to go in. He immediately lifted up the gun and we went in.

When I came near the Deacon's seat I observed there was a stage, which I supposed was erected for the Orator. Joseph L. Smith, Esq. took hold of my arm, near my shoulder, pulled me round, and said, "You HAVE NO BUSINESS HERE, AND MUST GO OUT OF THE HOUSE!"—I replied, we were going into the Pulpit, and would make no disturbance. He said, It was contrary to their orders (or arrangements,) I then said, I am an old man, and not so well as usual, and wished for liberty to sit in the pulpit; re-assuring him I would make no disturbance.—Mr. Smith, with an elevated, stern and commanding voice, said, If you insist upon going into the Pulpit in DEFIANCE of our orders and arrangements, you may go—pointing his hand to the door; which struck me in this manner: I have told you, Sir, that you have no business here, and must go out of the house; there is the door: but if in Defiance of all this, you will presume to go into the pulpit, go; but it is at your peril, and you must abide the consequence.

I was much afflicted at being cast out of the House of God, where I had worshipped almost 54 years and could expect to be there but a very few days more. These reflections crowded into my mind when rejected and retiring from the place where God's honor had dwelt. Mr. Huntington said he thought we had best go out—I consented—Just before we got to the door, Mr. Smith said, When it was time for us to come in he would provide us a seat with the other Clergy. We noticed a considerable number both of men and women in the lower part of the meeting-house, besides the singers, in the galleries; but there were no other Ministers, nor were any others turned out.

About fifteen minutes after we went out, a Mr. Palmer came to me and said he was very sorry for what had happened;—wished me to go in and he would conduct me to what seat I chose. I was thankful for his kindness and politeness, but observed, Mr. Smith had ordered me out of the house, and to tarry till it was time for us to come in. We meant to be orderly, and must stay till he gave us liberty to go into the house. Some others addressed me in like manner,, and uniformly had a similar answer. Besides, I was apprehensive of disagreeable consequences, if we went into the house without Mr. Smith's approbation, and was solicitous not to mar the festivity of the day.— We obeyed orders, and tarried near the meeting-house and placed ourselves close by the step stone of the door, till the procession came, expecting Mr. Smith would invite us in with the Clergy, but was disappointed.—The procession went in The military men were sent for,— entered the house, which was exceedingly crowded—All could not get in Several with difficulty crowded out of the house, complaining they were almost suffocated, faint and the like. About five minutes after prayer began, Mr. R. Webster came, and very cordially said these words, as nearly as I can recollect:—' Mr. Champion, if you wish to go into the house, I will provide you a seat or place if I can.' He spoke very affectionately, and I thought tenderly; but not hinting that he had orders from Mr. Smith, or was himself a Committee-man As the house was greatly crowded, many could not get in who anxiously wished to; I concluded it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to provide a seat for me : I therefore replied, we were ordered out by Mr. Smith,—to stay out until he said or should signify to us we might come in. So he said, as I understood him ; and so I have invariably represented it to all who have enquired of me concerning it.—We tarried about ten minutes longer, but hearing nothing from Mr. Smith, being almost overcome by standing so long in the heat, I said I would return.

God grant we may all meet and dwell eternally together in his Temple above the skies.

JUDAH CHAMPION.