The fifth book of wonders

payment, I was referred to the Rev. Mr. P. Rev. Joseph Pomeroy, a clergyman from Exeter whom Southcott initially believed would support her., who I was given to understand supported her claims and would be responsible for the amount. Here I detected a lying spirit, as she was afterwards obliged to make an apology in the public newspapers for the unjustified use she made of that gentleman’s name.”

Here I shall answer for myself. I was surprised to hear of this new invention, as I had never heard of it before. Whether it was invented by Besley or was a folly of Mr. S. is unknown to me. I never sent for Besley, nor did I know anything about the man; therefore, he has condemned the Spirit and me falsely in all the assertions he has made. I cannot be held accountable for what another person may say and do in my name without my knowledge.

Furthermore, what he has brought forward is entirely false. Had I wanted money or anyone to be responsible for me, I would never have applied to Mr. P., as he was the last person I would have thought of. I had compelling reasons for this: people had already begun to say that he wrote the communications and I simply published them. Therefore, I would never have asked him to be security for the payment. I never made an unjustified use of Mr. P.’s name, nor did I make any apology in the public newspapers. He claimed that my putting his name in print was from the devil and demanded that I sign a statement agreeing with his words, which I did.

I now see my own folly in doing so, given the advantage my enemies have taken of it to serve their own purposes. However, I can clear myself to the world regarding all the assertions that Mr. P.’s conduct has caused to be thrown at my character. From this, anyone can see the injury he has done to me by putting weapons in the hands of my enemies to fight against me.