THE O'FARRELL CONSPIRACY PAPERS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 649, 21 January 1869, Page 3

THE O'FARRELL CONSPIRACY PAPERS.

(Wellington Independent.)

Much interest lias been excited in New Smith Wales by the statement which was made by Mr Purkes, the late Colonial Secretary, to his constituents at Kiama, relative to the O’Farrell Fenian Conspiracy. The papers on the subject have now all been pub lished, and the conclusion at which we have arrived, after a careful perusal of them, differs from that come to hy the Sydney Morning Herald, and coincides with that which Mr Parkes arrived at from the perusal of those documents. Fragments found in tho handwriting of O'Farrell not only clearly express an intention to assassinate the Duke, but also indicate that there were eight or nine others concerned in the con spiracy; but whether they resided in New South Wales or elsewhere is by no means certain. There is a certain incoherence in those documents which either indicate the author to have been a madman, or that he had predetermined to mystify those into whose hands the papers might fall. But the report of O’Farrell's conversation or examination before Mr Parkes does not show any indication of insanity, as the following portion of it renders abundantly clear: —

The Colonial Secretary;—l may be obtuse or short-sighted, but it seems to me wonderful that if the Fenians wish to make an attack on the Royal Family, they do not make it on the Prince of Wales.

O’Farrell: —They are very fond of the Prince of "Wales.

The Colonial Secretary:—Of the Prince of Wales!

Prisoner:—la this sense they look upon him as useful to the cause—the republican cause ; because bo disgraces rojalty. The Colonial Secretary:—They think lie will work out their object ? Prisoner:—Yes; that lie is turning England against royalty. From these papers we learn also that the authorities were quite justified in recommending the Duke to return to England instead of visiting New Zealand. We learn also that the Fenian organization is a republican one, which was to embrace England and Scotland as well as Ireland. They aimed, or are aiming, to establish fifteen states: seven for England, three each for Ireland and Scotland, and two for Wales, on the model of the United States of America.