FENIANISM.

Southland Times, Issue 938, 22 April 1868, Page 3

FENIANISM.

THE CLEBKENWELL OTJTEA.GE. On January 28th, Michael Barrett and James O'Neill, with the two Desmonds, English, Atm Justice, O'Keefe, and Allen were brought up at Bow-street Police-court for further examination. Mullany was not in the dock. .Mi Giffard, Q.C., and Mr Poland conducted the prosecution. Mr Harper appeared for the two Desmonds and '_ Mr Lewis appeared for Barrett and O'Neil, as well as for O'Keefe, Mullany, and Anne Justice, Some surprise was excited .when Mr Giffard called "Patrick Mullany," and the prisoner known as John Mullany, or 1 John Patrick Mullany, was placed in the witness-box. ( He glanced nervously at the prisoners and appeared much agitated. He gave his evidence in so low a

tone of voice as to be frequently inaudible, and it was found necessary^ to make him repeat his answers. He said : "My name is Patrick Mullaiiy. I am desirous of being examined as witness for the Crown. I have been a member of the Fenian Brotherhood, the object of wlm-U w:is to establish a republic in belaud, lo overthrow Britis'u rule in Ireland. I held the position of a centre. I was sworn in last March at Barclay's, in Pollen-street. I was sworn in by James Kelly. He is not the man known hs Colonel Kelly. I have been introduced to American oflicers by the prisoner English. I was introduced to General Halpin, Colonel Healey, and General Burke, now a convict (he was convicted in Ireland), Doctor Morrison, and others whose names Ido not remember. I saw Captain M'Cafferty. I was introduced to him by English. He was a decent sort j of fellow, and I talked about the rising in Ireland with him. Before the 13th December I was out of work. The strike took place about April, and between those times I had not much to do. The latter end of November a bag was left at my house, and it was taken away by English. I saw revolvers in the bag, powder flasks, and small flasks of caps. It was taken away the day of the explosion, or a day or two before. I remember the meeting in Holborn, somewhere about Little Qneen-street. Barrett was present and I think William Desmond, but English was not. This was about a week before the explosion. They talked about raising money to carry out an object' in view. One man said they must have money, no matter how they got it. Some volunteered to get in £1, others 18s, 12s, or 10s. Powder was to be bought with the money. Each man was to get powder in small quantities, as much as they could get. They were then to meet at the American Stores, in Ox-ford-street, to see if they had got enough powdef , and to see how they were getting on. They could not settle then, and English said he could get them a house in the Cattle-market. I went there with English. It would not do, so we tried another place in the neighborhood. When we got there they related how they got on all day. There was only one man who had got 251 bof powder. One man was giving orders and another would not receive them, and it terminated in a sort of quarrel. I attended William Desmond's house the Tuesday or :. Wednesday before the explosion. English and Barrett attended that meeting.. William Desmond was there. I saw one man very pale in the face. He had. a hole in his coat, on the left shoulder, penetrating his waistcoat and shirt. I saw Barnett, whom I know by the name of Jackson, sitting opposite, with a revolver in his hand, which belonged to English — a breech-loader. They were discussing the merits of it, and said it was no good. I saw five or six more revolvers in the room. 1 saw another pistol loaded and given to another man. A man had got a barrel and another was to get a dish which was to be put in the end of the barrel to carry the light to the barrel. They asked for a truck, and I think it was O'Neil who said he could get one from Mannocks. ' A man was sent out to look after the truck and returned in a short time saying "It was all right." I know the place where the truck was kept. He had gone just about the right time to get there and back. They were to irieetnextday at 12 o'clock at William Desmond's house. I told him I was too busy and could not come. I heard that Jackson had been up to the House of Detention to see the place a day or ao before. I did not get to the meeting on the Thursday, but I saw Jackson and another man that night. He told me that it had failed, and they would try to-morrow to send it to hell. I next saw Jackson on Friday night, the day . of the explosion. I noticed that his whiskers were off and another man's coat on him. I began to ohaff him about his whiskers, and he told me that he took them off, that it was he that lit the fuse, and that he was afraid he would . be identified if he kept them on. I asked him who was with him, and he told me: The other man I noticed had his ear off, : but that man was not with him when he said he lit the fuse ; he was in my workshop, and that was in the publichouse. He said he was going away, but I would hear from him. I did not see him- again until he was brought into this court on Monday week. Before the explosion I knew that Barnett and another man came" to this court at the time that a man named Brown, or Burke; was examined here. He had two loaded revolvers with him. I saw him in the lato part of the day, and he said he and the other man had Drought them to shoot Corydon, but they could not do so; they could not get in, and so they could not do it here. The next day Jackson (Barrett) told the that they remained there all day to Bhoot Corydon? and the third day Barrett came down by himself; the other could not come. I have heard somethingfrom English about Greek fire on two occasions. About 12 months since I knew a man to be mixing it in English's place. The man came to ask English if he could get him a place to mix it in, and he said he. wanted money as much as any one, and they could do it at his place. After it was done, he wanted me to have some in my place to keep it, but I refused it. I had known him have phosphorus in his place before. The Greek fire was kept in black bottles with caps to keep the air out. I had some of them in my hand. It was about a month before that he showed -me some in tin cases which he said was' to mix with other conbustibles that I don't know for the purpose of making Greek fire. He wanted me to take some of that to take care of, .but I would not. I jfirst knew Brown, under the name of Winslow, in the early part of last summer, He was introduced to me by a man the name of Burnett. He was a friend of English. 1 have seen them together. Brown or Winslow is the same man who was after-

wards in custody under the name of Burke in this court." The whole of the evidence having been read over by Mr Burnaby, the chief clerk of the court, the witness said, " I know a great deal more about the case." • Mr Lewis declined to cross-examine on behalf of Barrett, as he said he had been completely taken by surprise at the appearance of Mullany in the character of an improver. On behalf of O'Neill he asked him if he knew that prisoner, and he replied that he had never seen him before. Mullany was then remanded on the charge of treason-felony. Several women living in Pulteney-court W6re then called to speak to having seen varous persons about tho House of Detention before the exploison, One identified Barrett, another had been somebody a good deal like him ; several spoke positively to having seen English. Thomas Karsley, living at Pulteneycourt, positively swore to seeing Barrett about the House of Detention at least six times before the exploison, but he had never seen him there since. This witness spoke of the change in Barrett's appearance occasioned by bis having had his whiskers cut off. Further evidence having been taken, affecting William Desmond. Alexander Chisholm, police-constable 141 A, of the city of Glasgow police. — On the night of the 13th or morning of the 14th of January of this year I was on duty near the Castle- green, Glasgow. My attention was attracted by a noise like Ihe report of firearms. I heard three reports and a snap, as if a postol had missed fire. I heard something that sounded like the whistle of the ball of a pistol. Another constable named Chambers was with me. I smelt powder. I went in the direction the sound came from, and saw two men standing with their backs to the green and their faces to the Clyde. I asked them if they had heard any firing. O'Neill said, " Some boys up by the monument there are firing away squibs." I said that could not be a squib, for it was like the sound of a rifle. He asked me if I was a military man, and I said " No." (I was in uniform.) He said, "I thought so, when you did not know the sound of a rifle." I said it was not a squib ; it could be a pistol or firearm, or something of that. I asked him how long he had been standing here. Barrett said not four or five minutes. O'Neill said they came running down from the Saltmarket, across the Gaol-square. I said he could not have been standing there that time, for we had been there ten minutes. O'Neill said. " Never mind ; let's have some drink,' taking some halfpence out. The other constable said, " There is no drink in the matter ; we must hear about this." I said, "Let us come to the office." O'Neil said, "Very well." Chambers took O'Neil, and I took Barrett. Barrett walked beside me, between me and the railings. Barrett said, "If you will come to my lodgings I will give you my character." I said, " No, we will take you to the office, and they will see what they will do with you there." Barrett said, " You constables are very officious," and I said " How ?" He said, " Interfering with people that are quiet and peaceable." I said, "We have to do that somstimes." He said, " I could do you some harm if I liked." I said, " You can't blame a man for doing his duty." He said, " No." After walking on a few yards he sprang from me towards the railings. He had a hand in each jacket pocket ; he pulled them put when he got to the iron railing and made a motion as if he was throwing something away from him. I sprang after him and seized him by the middle. I observed something in his right hand, but I could not say what it was. I pulled him back, and asked him what did he mean by that. He said, " I want a swim or two to myself." I said, "I will try to prevent you from ,that." I took him to the Btation, and nothing was found on him but a pipe and tobacco-pouch. In consequence of that, and the inspector not knowing what they |had;done, they were discharged. Barrett gave the address, 65, Crown-street. I afterwards went with the other constable to the place where he made the spring, and we found there a revolver, which I now produce. It has five chambers, of which two are loaded. There was a cap on one of the nipples. I could not say whether it was exploded or whether the three barrels not loaded had been recently discharged. I took it to the station. After that the prisoners were again apprehended, and detained till they were brought to London on Sir Thomas [Henry's warrant. I was present when the lodgings were searched. Some documents and two parcels of cards were found there and were delivered to Mr Williams. I was not there when the I large parcel was found. They lodged together at 65, Crown-street. Cross-examination by Mr Lewis : The furthest he was from me when he sprang away was about six yards. I saw him fumbling at his pocket before he sprang away, as if getting something ready to throw away. Did not see him throw a pistol away. By Mr Griffin — It was past twelve o'clock at night, and that is rather a dark part of the town. , Robert Chambers, a police-constable substitute, said he was with the last witness, Chisholm, on Glasgow-green, at ! twelve o'clock on the morning of the 14th of January, when they heard the shots, and took the two prisoners into custody. At the station-house witness found on O'Neill 10s in silver, and a copy of the ' Irishman' newspaper. X laid it on the counter before the lieutenant. When we search in Glasgow the lieutenant takes anything. I was with last witness when we found the pistol. We afterwards went with the lieutenant to Crown-street. The lieutenant searched the lodgings, and I lent a hand. The lieutenant found there two copies of the ' Irishman ' and a packet of. cards now produced. A packet of funeral cards, with black

borders, was produced, of which the following is a copy : — In- Mbmoeium Rblihxtistbm. Prayer for the Hepose of the Souls of the three Martyrs' William Philip Allen, Michael Larkin, and Michael O'Brien, who were executed at the New Bailey, Sal ford, Manchester, on the nover-to-be-forgotten 23rrl of November, 1867. They died true and orthodox Catholics, fortified with the sacraments of Holy Church. May they rest in peace, and their good works follow them ! For their ardent and sincere love of their oppressed country thej were murdered by the enemies of the Irish nation, who have long held her in bondage and oppression. We swear to avenge them ; no joy shall be tasted, The h*rp shall be silent, the maiden unwed j Our halls shall be mute and our fields shall be wasted, Till vengeance is wreaked on the murderer's head. God Save Ireland and her People ! Dublin, Deo. 1. J. W. After reading this document, Mr Giffard said that was all the evidence he j proposed to offer against these priso- 1 ners that day. They were then reman- 1 ded. The examination was resumed on February 4. Dr Odling, professor of chemistry at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, | gave evidence as to the residuents found upon some of the staves of the exploded barrel, from which it appears certain that the material used was gunpowder, the cask having been previously used for storing petroleum or paraffin oil. Sir Thomas Henry said that he should commit all the prisoners for trial on the the capital offence, except Mullany, who, however, is to be committed for treasonfelony. Another adjournment then took place in order that the depositions might be completed. The prisoners were accordingly brought up for further, and, as was supposed, final examination on Feb. 10, before Sir Thomas Henry, at Bowstreet. This, however, proved not to be the case, for upon the prisoners being placed at the bar, Mr Giffard, addressing Sir Thomas Henry, said :— Since the last examination the Crown have received important information, which induces me to ask you for a further remand. I now propose, therefore, that Mr Burnaby (the chief clerk) should read over the rest of the evidence as against all the prisoners, and at the conclusion of the reading I shall ask you to remand them again. Upon the evidence of Worth (one of the wardens of the House of Detention) beiug read over, Allan said, "I should like to ask him one more question. Axe you sure you never gave me ' the office' to follow other people?" To this the witness replied, "Never. To the best of my belief I neves saw you before that day." Allen : Have I never been there to see prisoners ? Witness : Not to my recollection. Allen : I can bring undeniable proof that I have done so on several occasions. I have been there with an inspector of police from Bayswater, and other officers. The whole of the cvi dence having been read over, Mr Giffard said : Before the prisoners are remanded I understand that Mr Lewis has an application to make. Mr Lewis : I wish to say that it is my present intention, though I do not pledge myself to this course, to call several witnesses for the prisoner O'Neill. But as I understand that the further evidence which has come to the knowledge of the prosecution and which probably will be gone into at the next examination, is likely to occupy the whole of the day, it would be very inconvenient to bring here, on the mere chance of the opportunity arising to call themj a number of witnesses, nearly all of whom will have to come from Scotland. I have, therefore, to apply, and I believe the request will meet the sanction of the learned council from the Crown, that I shall not be be called upon to go into the defence on Tuesday next, but that when the case for the prosecution is completed a day may be appointed on which I fcan call my witnesses, and then I will take care to have them in attendance. Mr Giffard thought that course quite reasonable, and Sir Thomas Henry having assented to it, the prisoners were again remanded. On February 18 they were again brought up, when Allen, who it appeared had given certain informrtion to the police, was, discharged but taken into custody again on the coroner's inquisition. The case against the other prisoners being completed, their solicitor applied for a further remand jfor one week in order to call witnesses, and the application was granted,