Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-21 00:00:00

THE MURDER OF MR. LITTLE.

SPOLLEN'S "PERSONAL NARRATIVE."

In yesterday's NOILTHERY TIMES we re3orded the fact, that
Spelien, who was lately tried and acquitted for the murder
of Mr. Little, was about to present himself to a Dublin
audience, at one of the theatres in that city. We are
indebted to our cotemporary, the Freeman's Journal,
for the following report of what took place at the first two
exhibitions. The Freeman thus prefaces this singular, and
it would appear, unsuccessful attempt to obtain notoriety
and public sympathy :
We are gratified to observe that this audacious attempt
of Spollen to thrust himself on the public as an "acquitted"
hero, met with that contempt from the working classes of
our city which our knowledge of their good sense and moral
taste led us to anticipate. The artizan class held entirely
aloof, to their infinite credit, and the majority of the few
persons who were present were citizens, who, with a laudable
zeal for the reputation of the Irish metropolis, went for the
purpose of swing the city from the disgrace of having it
appear that Sp " personal " story of his " persecu-
tion " excited sympathy, or that his proceedings received
encouragement from the working man of Dublin. The
humbler classes have saved themselves from this disgrace
by staying away, and if anything c ould abash Spollen's
unparalleled audacity, the p Anted questions of the gentle-
men who went in, and the indignation of those who staid
out, must have that effect.
At the hour announced for the commencement of the
" narrative" (one o'clock) there collected outside the
theatre an idle crowd, composed chiefly of children,
through which were di'tributed some four or five polic
men. On entering the building and proceeding up stairs
" lames," the eldest son of Spollen, was found officiating
as money-t.iker, and in that capacity occupying the box
on the lobby with " pay here" over the hole, through
which he issued admission tickets to hear his father's
"narrative'' at one shilling each. In the "assembly
room" (a small gloomy-looking apartment) were assembled
four representatives of the press, whose business brought
them there, and two constables in plain clothes. A.
stage, furnished with tawdry scenery and the usual
appliances, in a decayed state, was fitted up in this room,
and on the stage were placed a small deal table and a
chair to suit. Up tothe time when the "narrative" com-
menced, the audience had not increased beyond what we
have slated. Subiequently a few persons dropped in, but
the number of the .e present at any time during the " nar-
rative" did not exceed ten, including three or four con-
stables. Before the proceedings commenced the foot-falls
of a person behind the scenes, who was there walking to
and fro, were distinctly audible, in the silence of the small
room, to the half-dozen who sat outside, and who, with a
strange oppressive feeling over them, conversed in whispers
whilst waiting for the appearance of Spollen. Al er the
lapse of about half an hoar from the time fixed for the
commencement af the " narrative," the check-taker
advanced to the foot of the stage, and said in a low voice,
addressing some person behind the scene, which was fixed
so as to allow room in front for the chair and table, " Now,
sir, there's some gentlemen here," upon which the foot-
steps ceased, and in a few sec,nd4 Spollen appeared on the
stage. He wore a dark c oat over a blue under garment,
black vest and trawlers, and black silk neck-ge. In his
hand he carrie 1 some manuscrip\ to which he referred
occasionally while speaking. Advancing to the front of
the stage, he proceeded with his discourse, which, it will
be seen on perusal of the subjoined report, instead of
being the prom'sed personal narrative, was simply an ad
misericordiain appeal to the generosity of the pub:ie. In
a very low but distinct voice he spoke as follows :
I have come to lay my case even before those wh o are
now present. You are all awa-e of my situation, without
means or character—that word character will draw from
y m a degree of sympathy that any other man may be on
titled to. I need not enter into detaqs connected with my
present circumstances ; my object is far the simple pur-
pose of obtaining the means of leaving the country. In
Dublin it would be difficult enough to obtain employment.
lam burdeeed with a portion of my family—a young
man that is excluded now by the mother—she is deter-
mined, I believe, not to do anything for him. Taat, you
will admit, will be a great weight upon me--a burden, of
course, I won't be table of sustaining without those means
necessary for my exit from this country. I have not
entered into this without very goal advice, even from the
mechanical portion of the city, knowing that the public
would cheerfully respond, and give a man menus of leaving
the country, which in private I have made application
for, but which I have not been able to obtain to the
degree that I require. lam not confining auy gentleman
that may think proper to the amount of admission. If any
gentleman feels anxious to volunteer and contribute, ho is
welcome to do so. A. long passage will necessarily entail
a heavy expanse, that I am totally incapable of meeting,
unless through the present source. There is no one can
doubt but that my situation is most deplorable, and it is a
pleasing thing, when I reflect upon it, that public sym-
pathy his gone all through in my favour, as I believe
every one will admit. I must, through necessity, seek
employment is another country, which I vrould b o denied
here. I hope, gentlemen, when you go at large amongst
the public, that you will assist me in 'every way you pos-
sibly can. lam sorry to find that the Free,ngn's Jon -nal
(taking up a copy of the paper which lay on the table) has
leant a little severe on my case this morning. If we would
do anything for ooe anothe-, it should be to assist, and not
to throw censure or anything partial in the public way ;
bit there are a few little remarks made here—they say :
"We have beard mach said and gossiped with regard to
Spollen's doings and sayings since a jury of his country-
men found a verdict declaring him innocent of the charge
laid against him, but we abstained from noticing them,
being unwilling to drag needlessly before the public a man
whose position suggested that the same lenity should be
extended to his proceedings after trial, as the law and the
jury extended to him when considering the as yet unex-
plained facts which lei to his arrest, but which the law
says could not lead to his conviction. James Spollen has,
however, himself appealed to the public, and proposes to
parade himself on the boards of Prince Patrick's' for
seven hours daily." I deny with regard to " parading"
or exhibiting myself; my object is merely to obtain the
necessary funds—nothing of the kind. I have been
advised strongly to take the present course, as it were to
bring the public to one centre, that I might be enabled to
obtain, by the unanimous voice of the people, the means
which are necessary for me. You must not expect, gen-
tlemen, from me, an illiterate man anything in the shape
of a speech, for it is totally out of my power ; suffice
it to say, that you will canvass my object in coining before
you with the best possible feelings within yourselves,
so as to aid and assist me in leaving the couatsy.
I have already romarksd that it is not altogether the
incumbranea of myself, but I am encumbered with a por.
tion of my family, which necessarily entails a great deal of
trouble upon me--
Mr. Fitzpatrier, Dame-street, who had a short time
previously entered, observed —" As I see the reporters
here, but not the public, I will take the liberty of making
a remark. I think the citizens of Dublin are bmnd to
show a good example to all the towns of Ireland, and if
you allow this man to make a speech here today to obtain
money, the consequences will be that he will go to every
town in Ireland."
Spollen : That I deny, sir,
Mr. Fitzpatrick : At all events, the citizens of Dublin
will not countenance such a thing. The fewness of the
audience shows that the public are so disgusted that they
would not come te listen to this man. As a citizen,
protest against this teen making speeches here to-day. If
you encourage him you will be only holding out a bounty
to others to follow his example. I came here to-day de-
termined to do my bast to show a good example to my
fellow citizens. It is a monstrous thing for that man to
come forward to make speeches and to expect to have an
audience of the citizens of Dublin. You (addressing
Spollen) got off through the merc'fal charge of the judge,
but there was not a man of the jury that was convinced of
your innocence.

In the evening Spolien male his "second appearance,"
the audience being exceedingly limited, not, at any period,
number'ng ever twenty, and a large proportion of those
appeared to be persons connected with the theatre. His
"narrative" was of the same unconnected character as that
given in the-earlier part of the day, and consisted princi-
pally of evasive replies to the several interrogations ad-
dressed to him by the different persons present.
In reply to a question he said he was an Iri;hman, and
was in Dublin for the last 25 ye re Hs was born in Ferns,
in the county of Wexf ird, and had been in England for a
considerable time. His wife was from Newtownmount-
kennedy. None of his relations were in Ireland (save his
o wn immediate family), they had emigrated to Li;tle Albany,
North America.
Another gentlemen, addressing Spollen, sail the citizens
of Dubin were too moral and religious to have any sym-
pathy with him as he then stood. Thera were two courses
left open to him—the first, to establish his innocence by
giving such explanations as would clear away the doubts
that existed. Tile second, to come forward and confess
his guilt, if guilty. That, course, he was aware, would
not in the least commit him, as he had been acluitted of
the charge which had been brought against him. Having
confessed his guilt, and throwing himself on public sym-
pathy as a repentant man, he (the speaker) was sure he
would obtain forgiveness from God and man. The speaker
concluded by telling Spollen that he should adopt either
of these courses before he could expect to receive the
sympathies of a Christian community.
Spollen :,;What coarse am I to adopt ?
At this mom eat James Spollen, jun., rushed forward and
addressed his father in a most exciting manner, telling
him not to be answering these persons.
The same gentleman asked if he could put his hand
upon the man who had conspired with Mrs. Spollen, as it
was the duty of him (Spollen) for his own sake, and for
the ends of justice, to point out the guilty party ?
To this question Spollea returned some incoherent reply,
which was not audible.
A well-dressel person, who had been rather troublesome,
and who had bean addressing Spollen in anything but
complimentary language, had to be removed by the police
at this stage of the " narrative."
During the evening a large crowd of persons congre-
gated outside the theatre, who, it was evident rrom their
expressions, ware the reverse of friendly to the narrator,
and highly incensed against the entire proceedings, so
much so that at the conclusion of the proceedings Spollen
found it necessary to takeihis departure privately through
the re r of the theatre.

James Spollen, jun , here entered the room, and inter-
rupted Mr. Fitzpatrick by saying, in a sturdy manner, " I
beg your pardon, sir, did you pay to come is ?''
Mr. Fitzpatrick : I did, sir.
Spollen, jun : Well, sir—
Mr. Fitzpatrick : Oh. I won't be stopped.
Spollen, senior : I call upon the police —there is rent Liss ox, Tuesday.—The steamship Hydespas, with pas-
paid for this place. mangers, cargo, and a few days later advices from Brazils,
Spollen, junior : You did not pay to come here to annoy left Lisbon this evening, at five o'clock, for Southampton..
the people. You are not a gentlemen, sir. The mortal remains of the late Right Honourable John.
Mr. Fitzpatrick: Who (addressing Spollen, senior) was Wilson Croker were consigned to their last resti,7g-place,
it that told your wife where the money was ? at Mousley C'atveh, Strvy, on Monday last. The funeral
Spollen, junior: That is nothing to you, sir. was of a private character.
Mr. Fitzpatrick: Oh, but is is, sir, and if I was to stop IMPORTANT TO SIIITOW.TERS —Yesterday (Wednesday),
here until six o'clock, I won't let you go any further, till the Admiralty issued the following notification :—On and
you answer,that question.
after the Ist of October next all ships tendered for en-
Spollen, junior : I will bring in a policeman to remove gagement, at a rate per ton register, whether as transports,
you if you go any further
troopships, or convict ships, will be required, previously
Mr. Fitzpatrick: I have beard many actors on the stage. to being so tendered, to be registered in accordance with
but I never listened to a man who is brazen as you are, the provisions of the most recent Act of Parliament.
Spollen, junior: If you were a gentleman you would not Is is said that a plan has bean submitted to the board
insult people.
and the India House for establishing a postal communica-
Mr. Fitzpatrick : If I had the public here I would take tion with India via Asiatic Turkey. It is calculated that,
the verdict on you; and I know what it would be. by making arrangements with the Arab chiefs, a mail
Spollen, junior : It you were a gentleman, you would could be brought to Constantinople in about fourteen days,
not give insults. But you are not a gentleman. whence its principal contents could instantly be despatched
Mr. Fitzpatrick : As there is no one here (I am glad to in a telegraphic message to London by the British Ambas-
say), I will go away. sador. As intelligence from India cannot reach England
Spoiler:, senior. But can't you hear what I have to say. in less than twenty-six or twenty-eight days, about ton days
AEG Fitxporick ; I won't hear en. word from you till or 4 fortnight would thus be mud.