Notes By Father Foy On His Second Lecture.

from such a course of conduct Avere resorted to by his brother masons , but in vain . At length a conspiracy Avas formed , including in its origin , or at its subsequent stages , no inconsiderable number of persons , for the purpose of separating Morgan from those who had engaged him to

undertake , ancl Avere encouraging him to go on Avith the development of the secrets of the masonic order . Given up to an unaccountable infatuation , they commenced the execution of this ill-advised project , by taking him , on the 10 th or llth

September , 1826 , from Batavia under the pretence of a charge for petit larceny to Canandaigua . The criminal charge was abandoned and a civil suit instituted against him . A judgment for a small amount was recovered , ancl ho Avas

committed by A'irtue of an execution thereon to the jail of Ontario county . On the evening of the 12 th September he Avas discharged by the interference of some of the conspirators , ancl as he passed out of tho door of the jail Avas seized by them , taken a small distance , and then forcibly put into a carriage . He vvas carried in the course of that night on to the Ridge Road ,

about IAVO miles beyond the vdlage of Rochester , During the next day and night he Avas taken to Lewiston , a distance of seventy or eighty miles , ancl from thence to Fort Niagara , at the mouth of the Niagara river . Soon after his abduction , it was ascertained to a reasonable

degree of certainty , that he had been taken to Fort Niagara , but for some time an almost impenetrable obscurity seemed to shroud the events subsequent to his arrival at that place . The disclosures Avhich Avere at length made before grand juriesand on

, the various trials of those AVIIO were indicted for carrying him off , have , m a great measure , removed the veil Avhich hid these events , and established in a satisfactory manner that his life was hi a feAV clays brought to a tragical end . Ho was

secured in the magazine of the Fort , Avhich was at that time unoccupied by any forces of the United States . Soon after he Avas brought to that place , those AVIIO had him m charge Avere much embarrassed to devise what to do Avith him . Consultations Avere hold on the subject , and some of the party proposed to take his life , which they alleged he had forfeited by violating the

obligations he had voluntarily taken on himself , when he became connected with masonic fraternity , or in the subsequent stages of his advancement to its higher distinctions ; but others protested against such a violent and wicked course . When all tho circumstances are consideredand

, the evidence given on this point is AVOII weighed , they seem to be sufficient to bring any candid mind to the conclusion that this proposition Avas finally adopted ancl executed , but it is not fully knoAvn Avho adopted it , or by whose hands it Avas

executed . The number of those directly concerned in the final catastrophe is believed to be sniaH ; it is also believed that those Avho first formed the conspiracy to carry him off and those who subsequently became connected Avith it by lending then aid in carrying him to Fort Niagara , did not intend or anticipate the termination to Avhich this affair was

brought . Indeed , it is reasonable to conclude that the design upon his life Avas suggested by the embarrassment which those felt who were called on to make a further disposition of him after his arrival at Fort Niagara . This outrage upon the liberty of a felloAV-citizenand contempt

, of the laAvs of the land , from the protection of Avhich this citizen had been violently taken , roused the indignation of the community in the midst of which the offence was committed , They demanded their fellow-citizen—he Avas not produced

nor could he be found . They anxiously sought to knoAV his fate , but they long sought in vain . The public excitement increased in iutenseness , and spread over a AA'ide region of country . Those AVIIO partook of it largely did not stop to diserhuinate . Tho single circumstance that an individual had a high standing in the masonic ordcir Avas sufficient evidence in

their minds of his participation in the crime . Einally , the Avhole fraternity Avere regarded as in some manner implicated in the transaction . It is believed by . some , ancl perhaps alleged by more , to have been the natural consequence of the discipline of the Masonic Institution . A current of

feeling so strong and so deep was soon turned to political purposes . An antimasonic party Avas immediately formed ; it predominated in several of the counties in the Avestern part of NOAV York , ancl had