DIABOLICAL PLOT AT ST. HELENA.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 212, 1 November 1859, Page 3

DIABOLICAL PLOT AT ST. HELENA.

We copy the following startling statement froni the Cape Monitor of the 23rd March:— "A most heartless and diabolical plot has been discovered at St. Helena^ and only just in time to save the island from devastation, and many of the inhabitants from a fearful death. A fellow named O'Byrne, a Russian by birth, assisted by a boatman named Chapman, had contemplated the plan of setting fire to many of the principal stores and buildings, and by a very systematic concoction of designs, bad arranged everything neccessary to the carrying out of his cold-blooded act. The particulars, which we give below, are furnished by a gentleman, who has placed in our hands several letters in which the details of the affair are fully stated. One writer say— 'O'Byrne visited the Cape about twelve months since. On his return to the island, he goaded Chapman, who owed him money, to assist him in carrying out his plans. On Monday, the 21st February, it was determined, that, happen what would, the following places, in the middle of the night, were to be set on fire:—Baker's brewery, the Bazaar, Carrol's shop (the Canister), Solomon and Moss's stores and stables leading to the Sister's Walk, and a store of Solomon's at the back, near Moss' house, filled with tar and pitch. The buildings being on fire, the conflagration would in a very short time have bocome very general—the custom house, church, commissariat, and every other building below the brewery must have. gone, and the loss of life would have been truly fearful. The water pipes were to have been cut, so as to prevent the use of water in extinguishing the devastating flame. It was arranged by the authorities to whom Chapman gave the information on Monday, 14th February that he was to have a private iuterview with O'Byrne at his house on the following day, and that a third party should be secreted, so as to corroborate Chapman's statement. However, the story got buzzed about, and.it-was 4hen determined, after a secret hearing of Chapman's statement at the police office, at once to issue a warrant for the apprehension of O'Byrne; accordingly the next morning the police, armed with necessary documents, secured the miscreant, and examined his premises, where they found the requisite material for the accomplishment of his infernal designs, prepared and in readiness, consisting of cotton-twist dipped or saturated with spirits of nitre; a quantity of liquid nitre, fire-balls, &c. The bazaar was to be set on fire under the Run, or rather under the floor of the Run, the hay at Solomon's would have soon taken fire by means of a ball, and Baker's brewery by a slow match of cotton-twist through a window; a key was made to fit the door of the Canister, in the corner leading into the yard, which key was given by Chapman to the police, and, when tried, fitted th« door well; in short everything was coolly and deliberately arranged, and the whole of the lower part of the town must have been consumed. It is said O'Byrne owed Moss Fowler, Carrol, and Baker a grudge, which he wished to pay off. The investigation from time to time, has elicited many facts connected with the fire which took place at the brewery some time since, and he is to be tried for arson in connection with that calamity, as well as for the present affair; so I think it not unlikely he stands a good chance of being sent across the water." Another writer, under the date of February 20th, Bays:—"The vessel has not yet left for the Cape. There i 8 great excijteme'nt here just now, caused by Mr. U'Byrne plotting to set fire to the town. You know Chapman, the boatman* ho waa to act the

part of Guy Fawkes, for which lie was to get two hundre-d pounds. The .scheme bas;been in contemplation for upwards of twelve months., They were first to set fire to old Carrol's premises, then to Solomon and Moss's Gideon & Baker's and all who had stores ; but Chapman split, and went to the magistrate; they immediately had a hearing, and put o'Byrne in Gaof. Skeleton keys, and all sorts of combustible matter were found upon him. He is convicted for the sessions, but Chapman is as bad as he is, and I am afraid they will have some difficulty in proving the charge for want of evidence. In searching O'Byrne's premises, they found a large sum of money—2,ooo of that sum sovereigns. This money, report says, he was to take off to the Cape to send down goods that would be most wanted here, after he had fired the town."