THE PARNELL COMMISSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2071, 23 February 1889, Page 2

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

MORE ABOUT THE LETTERS.

[Peb Press Assooiatiok.]

London. February 21

At the " Times " Parnell Comisslon to-day Sir Chas. Russell, counsel for the Parnellites, produced a letter addressed by Piggott to Archbishop Walsh of Dublin, written just before the '' Times " published the facsimile letters. In this communication Pigott stated that a plot was being concocted, the object being the discrediting of the Parnellite leaders, and which plot he alone was able to frustrate. Being nnable to give any explanation of this letter the evidence given by Piggott is much descredited and it is thought is jeopardising the " Times " case.

Houston stated he purposely remained ignorant of the source whence the letters were obtained, and trusted entirely to Pigott. He casually learned that the Fenians obtained the first batch from a bag left m Btyne's lodgings, and sold them to Pigott. The witness denied he offered the letters to the " Pall Mall Gazette." He did offer them to the Marquis of Harrington, but he refused to have anything to do with them. Latterly Houston had given instructions to Pigott as to the course he was to follow. In consequence of his parleying with Labouchere, and demanding to give evidence, the " Times " compelled Pigott to make a statutory declaration otherwise they would pay him nothing, Eugene Davis obtained the confidence of Egan and attended the conspirators' meeting at Paris. He also did duty m Ireland m the disguise of a priest. Parnell was the instigator of two murders while he was m gaol. He was enabled to do so through the connivance of Kilmainham warders, Mr Kerry and his doctors. It was nndeastood that anybody denounced by the " United Ireland " would be murdered. Tynan plotted the murder of the Prince of Wales and Mr Gladstone during the Carnival at Rome.

Pigott, examined, said he was the proprietor of the "Irishman" and a Fenian organ which was merged into the "United Ireland." He was a member of the Fenian Association, and had served two sentences. He opposed the Land League at first, but afterwards the League and Fenians became affiliated and mutually assisted each other with funds. This was done with Parnell's knowledge. Davis m a letter repudiated Pigott's notes.

London, February 2s. In his examination bxfore the Par* nell Commission Pigott swore that he received letters from Murphy, the compositor, and other Fenians, only after be had been sworn by the Clan-na* Gael agents not to disclose the source from which he obtained them, subsequently he became a witness. Afterwards the Clan-na-Gael offered to refund 500 dollars \\ the letters were retqrqefl. Witness added, that Mr Labouchere had assured him that the admission that; he (Pigott) had swindled " The Times " would secure him a seat m the British Parliament, also that he would receive an ovation m America without any personal risk, since an indemnity was obtainable. Pigott said he had disclosed to Mr Lewis, solicitor, the whole of Houston's case, but denied having admitted that he believed it was not genuine. Witness said his objection to seeing Labouchere was a desire to escape giving evidence, as he feared he might be murdered.

Jn cross-examination by Sir Charles Russell, Pigott admitted that he had informed Archbishop Walsh, of Dublin, that he was not a party to the attacks on Parnell, and he utterly failed to explain the overtures he made to the Archbishop. Pigott was made the

subject of an exhibition while under cross-examination. (Received February 23. 13-12 p.m.) London, February 22. In his cross-examination, Pigott ad-

mitted that the statements contained m his letter to Archbishop Walsh were entirely unfounded. He said that he had told Houston that the Parnell letters were possibly forgeries. He wrote to Mr Forster m 1881 asking £1500 for his services to the Government. He admitted writing Egan at the same time asking for £500 to stop the publication of a pamphlet damaging to the League.