SULLIVAN'S RELEASE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 161, 9 July 1874, Page 2

SULLIVAN'S RELEASE.

Iv a despatch to the Secretary of State, dated February 25, his Excellency enters thus fully into tbe circumstances under which Sullivan was released : — "1. I have the honor to inform you that some little excitement has been caused in the Colony, and some strongly worded articles in newspapers have appeared wilh reference to the pardon and embarkation for America of one Sullivan, who was convicted of murder iv the year 1866. It has moreover, been represented that the Government have shipped off this person to America in order that the Colony might be rid of him, and it has been stated in newspapers that some persons who disapproved of that course have telegraphed to America in order that his landing there might be prevented. "2. As a matter of fact, the man in question, who had embarked on board of the mail steamer from Dunedin for San Francisco, having been recognized on board, quitieJ the vessel when Bhe called at Auckland. But my advisers think it possible that some complaint, founded upon tbe allegation above mentioned, may reach her Majesty's Government, and desire that I should inform your Lordship of the facts of the case. "3. In 1866 a series of murders were committed upon travellers in the neighborhood of the goldfmlds in Westland and Nelson, and upon the disappearance of lour persons near the town of Nelson, suspicion of their murder was attached to four men, who were arrested. But the hodies of the missing persons not having been found, a proclamation was issued by the Governor, promising a free pardon to any one but the actual murderers who would give evidence leading to their conviction. A copy of this proclamation was placed within that part of the prison where the suspected men were confined. Accordingly, cne of them made a full statement of the murder of the missing persons by the gang to which he belonged, and indicated the place at which tbe bodies couid be found. Upon the trial of his three companions, they were convicted and subsequently executed. He was an , important witness for the Crown. "4. His confessions, however, were so unreserved, tbat he also detailed the circumstances of the separate murder's of two other persons by the same gang while he wbb connected with it; and with reference to one of these be was himself put upon his trial upon his own confession, and sentenced to death, that sentence beiog commuted by the Governor to penal servitude for life. Upon his trial he made no defence, relying, apparently, on the proclaimed promise of pardon, although be was duly warned that it did not apply to other crimes than those expressly mentioned. "5. Since the time of hia conviction, he has frequently petitioned the Governor for pardon on the faith of the proclamation, and some persons have constantly interested themselves on his behalf, especially those whose duty it was to prepare the case for the Crown against his accomplices. Hia petitions had not, however, duriog tbe seven years been entertaiued, chiefly, I belive owing to the horror which had been caused to tbe public by the disclosure of tbe series of crimes in which he had been concerned. "6. Upon Sullivan's addressing a fresh petition to myself, I made myself acquainted with the facts, and referred the petition to the Executive Council, who recommended his pardon, which I granted, with an entire approval of their advice, I may mention the chief grounds for that opinion. All those who received or listened to Sullivan's confessions, were impressed with the belief that they were full and unreserved. They were confirmed in every particular, as far as could be ascertained. They resulted in the destruction of a most dangerous gang, and in the suppression of similar crimes. It did not appear that Sullivan actually killed any one, for his companions distrusted his resolution, and employed him to keep watch while they seized and despatched their victims. There was reason to believe that they had used their knowledge of his previous history, he having been a convict in Tasmania, to entrap bim into joining their gang, and that he was an unintentional accomplice ih the first murder that subsequently took place, being, possibly, thereafter retained by fear of discovery. Finally, there was much reason to fear that future promises of pardon would fail to induce confeasions, if the spirit of tbe promise made to this man were permanently disregarded. "7. Tbe pardon being granted, it became known to tbe Government that Sullivan, if discharged io. the colony, wonld be exposed to great danger from the friends of the criminals whom he had betrayed; he entreated protection and assistance in leaving the colony, and he continued for several months to reside in DuneJin Gaol, voluntarily performing hard labor, as formerly, with a view to disarm suspicion. He was of course, free to proceed to any otber country, and desired to go to South America; but it was found im r possible to procure for him a conveyance direct thither, and at last it was decided to send him by way of San Francisco. That attempt has been frustrated; but I beg to assure your Lordship that there has been no condition attaohed to his pardon, of his proceeding to aoy particular country j that the Government interfere with hia

movements solely from a needful regard to his personal safety ; and I may further atate, that lam informed that the man is a skilful tradesman, who, wherever be may go, is likely to seek and follow gladly industrial occupation for his own mainfenauce. "8. It is not surprising tbat in tbe account of this man's crimes, given by irresponsible persons, great exaggerations should bo made, and ho may* be represented in America, as he has been here, as having been, in fact, tho worst of the gang. His accomplices, whom bis evidence contributed largely to bring to iustice, not unnaturally endeavored to produce that effect, but, as I believe, without truth." On the same subject his Excellency writes on April Bth:— "1 , 1 have the honor to inform you that the convict John Thomas Sullivan, tbe particulars of whose case were stated in my despatch No, 10, of 20th February last, having received a pardon conditionally on his leaving and not returning to New Zealand, embarked for London on the 31st ultimo, as a passenger on board of the ship Hindostan. He has taken the name of Clark. "2. The prison authorities and the police, to whom this man is well known, consider that it is very unlikely tbat he will engage in any kind of crime, but tbat, arriving in London unknown to any of tha criminal ciaa-i, he will either endeavor to find industrial employment, or carry out his present desire of proceeding to the Western States of North America, where he would have gone from New Zea'and but for his discovery when about to embark, "3. The man haß been furnished with money for his temporary subsistence or further journey."