The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 7, 1867.

The Examination of the Fen!an Colonel

Burke.

BOW-STREET.

The further examination of Colonel Burke, the
alleged Fenian colonel, and Theobald Casey, was
resumed this morning before Sir T. Henry.
Mr. Gifrard, Q.C., and Mr. Poland attended on
Lelialf of the Crown, and Dr. Kennedy appeared
for the prisoners.
Dr. Kennedy said he was not in a position to
cross-examine the witness on that occasion, as cer-
tain letters had been written for the purpose of
obtaining information, and the answers had not
been received. He had no intention of frustrating
the Crown.
Sir F. Henry—Oh, certainly not.

Mr. Giffard, Q.C., said a week had elapsed, and
he thought his learned friend ought to have been
prepared to go on. Ile should have to ask for an-
other remand, and, therefore, he hoped on the next
occasion to go on with his cross examination.
Dr. Kenealy said he should no doubt be able to
put his questions to the witnesses who had already
given their evidence.

The first witness called on the part of the Crown
was

John Joseph Corydon, who said—l am going on
for 26 years of age. I was formerly in the Federal
army of the United States; first as a private and
afterwards as an officer. I knew the latter prisoner
(Burke) as Burke and Winslow. I first became
acquainted with him in the army in 1862 under the
name of Burke. He was a sergeant of engineers in
the Federal army, the 15th New York. I after-
wards knew him as an officer in the same
regiment ;he was a captain. I was first connected
with the Fenian organisation in 1862. I was a
member of the Brotherhood—a centre at one time.
I first joined it at Harrison's Landing in the State
of Virginia. I first saw Burke with respect to the
organisation in July, 1865, iu the city of New
York—at a Fenian pic-nic first, and after-
wards at the head-quarters of the organisation
in that place. The pic-nic was got up for
the purpose of raising money for the Fenian
organisation. It was in the month of July, 1865.
Nothing passed between the prisoner Burke and
myself on that occasion with respect to the organi-
sation. The meeting at the head-quarters took
place at Union-square. At the meeting none but
principals of the organisation were allowed to be
present. A person named John O'Mahony, who
was the head of the Fenian organisation in
America was present. I had arrived from Ireland
to attend the meeting. I was the bearer of despatches
from Colonel Kelly in Ireland to John O'Mahony
in New -York. While I was in Ireland I saw a
Person named Stephens there. I was intimately
acquainted with him. He was in gaol when I left.
The Kelly 1 have mentioned was Colonel Thomas
Kelly, who was rescued in Manchester. Kelly was
principal of the military part of the organisation,
and deputy to Stephens. The despatches of which
I was the bearer from Kelly stated that five or six
days after I had left that Stephens would be
out of gaol. The news was afterwards confirmed.
That despatch was read at the meeting. I left Ire-
land with that despatch on the 19th of November,
1865. I left Ireland iu the Scotia on a Sunday. I
recollect being in Dublin in April, 1866. I arrived
on the 26th of December, 1866, in Ireland with
despatches from Colonel Kelly and Stephens. It
was after Stephens got out of gaol. I carried two
despatches--one was written by Kelly, the other
by Stephens. I recollect the habeas coipics
being suspended in Dublin ; it was after
I had arrived from America. On that taking place
I went to Liverpool, by direction of Colonel Kelly,
as it was feared we would all be arrested. At Liver-
pool I saw Colonel Burke several times. He was
living in Seymour-street, Moon-street, and Lower
Nelson-street. I saw him at Fenian meetings. These
meetings were exclusively of American Fenian officers.
Burke, with the rest, took part in the discussion at
those meetings. The subject dicussed was the
general workings of the organisation. We never
met for nothing ; it was always to complete the
organisation. I cannot recollect the precise subjects
discussed, but sometimes the subject would be how
to get money, at another how to extend the
circles, and at another the general plans to be
taken. I recollect, on one occasion, the
subject was the destruction of the shipping
at Liverpool. On the occasion of the rising
the vessels were to be burnt by Greek fire. All the
principal shipping towns were to be visited for the
same purpose. I also directed that Chester Castle
was to be seized, and the arms taken from it. That
was discovered in January or February of the pre-
sent year. I rather think it was in January, but
I will not be positive. The mail train going
from London to Holyhead was to be seized,
and the arms put into it. The rails were
to be torn up after the train had started. The
telegraph wires were also to be destroyed. The
mail boat at Holyhead was to be seized, and the
arms were to be put on board that boat, and landed
at the most convenient part in Ireland. Captain
M'Cafferty was to have command of the expedition.
That is the person who was tried and con-
victed at Dublin. I gave evidence at his
trial. There was no day fixed for that
at the meeting at which it was first arranged, but
afterwards it was set for the 11th of February. I
went with a number of Fenians as far as Birken-
head that day to the station for Chester. There were
about 500 went from Liverpool on that occasion,
together with all the American officers there at the
time. I remained at Birkenhead after they had
started. At a later part of the day I received orders
from Captain AlTafferty. I got them through
a publican of the name of Gibbons. In consequence
of those orders we all went back to Liverpool. I
saw all that left by the train for Chester return to
Liverpool—that is all I know. A week or so before
the 11th Burke left Liverpool—at least I did not see
him after that. He left with the intention of com-
ing to London, but I don t know whether he did or
not. This would be in January, according to the
best of my recollection. Burke did not tell me what
he was going to London for, but he informed me
what was his purpose in Liverpool. It was for the
purpose of the Chester affair, and for the purpose
of forwarding the work for the formation of the
directory in London. He represented himself to
be specially sent by Stephens for the purpose of
knowing whether the American officers in Liver-
pool were satisfied with the action of the direc-
tory, and whether they were going to take
action in the Chester rising. I never saw Burke
again from the time until he was in custody. I
recollect that Burke took a prominent part in the
discussion at the meetings I have mentioned. He
was, in fact, looked upon as a very prominent
man. I knew Deasy intimately. He was present
at the meeting. All the American officers were
present, of which Deasy was one. There were about
30 officers in all. I have seen Burke in company
with Deasy, O'Connor, and other officers. The
object of the Fenian organisation was to overthrow
the Queen's Government in Ireland and to esta-
blish a Republic instead.

WESTMINSTER.

Dr. Kenealcy said he did not propose to cross-
examine the witness on that occasion.

Mr. Thomas Hamilton—l am resident magistrate
in Cork. On the 21st Nov., 186 G, 1 received intelli-
ence thatled me to go to the Quay on the following
morning to see the steamet Halcyon. I also saw two
large boxes, pointed out to me as suspicious bales.
I had them forced open. The larger contained 50
Enfield rifles with bayonets, and the other 30 guns of
the same description, with bullet-moulds and spare
nipples. The boxes were addressed "J. Daley and
Co. ;" they were also marked—the larger one,
" Oiled baize," D4in a square. The smaller one
was marked "American leather cloth," and
the letter E in a diamond. I obtained
the ship's manifest. The steamer was from
Liverpool to Cork. The shippers appeared
to be Cook and Co., Liverpool. I produce one of
the 80 rifles with bayonet, also one of the bullet
moulds, and also one of the spare nipples. The other
part of the contents of the packages corresponded
with the specimens.

Dr. Kenealey said he did not propose to cross-exa-
mine witnesses who gave evidence similar to that of

Mr. Hamilton. lliw questions would be put only to
the approvers.
Mr. Gilrard was obliged to his learned friend for
the information.

Mr. Kylock was here recalled to identify the
rifle, bullet-mould, and nipples, as a portion of some
property he had sold, but he could not say to whom
he sold them. The rifles he had sold to the prisoner
Burke were precisely of the same pattern. He sold
him 500. The bayonet attached to the rifle now in
his hand was not the one made for it, but all the
bayonets would fit either of the rifles he had soli.
Mr. Gifford, QC., said that that was all the evi-
dence he was prepared with to-day, but on the next
occasion lie anticipated Laving another prisoner in
custody.
Dr. Kenealey said, notwithstanding the order of
the magistrate, the money found upon Burke had
not been returned to him. It seemed a piece of
petty tyranny, that ought not to be exercised
towards him.

Mr. Giffard said it was not given up because the
prisoner Burke refused to give a receipt for the
same.

Mr. Norton said that was not the fact ; the pri-
soner never refused to give a receipt.
Sir T. Henry said he directed that five sovereigns
instead of the Bank of England note, found on the
prisoner Burke, should be returned to him, and he
thought it ought to have been done.
Dr. Kenealey said it was most important to the
prisoner to have, as he actually wanted it for food
Sir T. Henry said the money would be handed
over by the police, and it was only through some
misunderstanding that it had not been given before.
The prisoners were then removed. Confinement
seems to be telling very much upon Burke, as he
now presents a very careworn appearance compared
with that he presented when first taken into cus-
tody. During the time Corydon was giving his
evidence he looked at him in a most contemptuous
manner, and took copious notes of his evidence.

POLICE INTELLIGENOE.—This Day.

IN D I FFIC U LTY.—A quiet, respectable-looking
man, addressing Mr. Arnold, said—lf you please
sir, there's been another man living with my wife—
Can he do it ?

Mr. Arnold—What do you mean ?
Applicant—l want you to give me advice. I
came here some months ago and asked Mr. Beard's
advice.

Mr. Arnold—l hope he gave you good advice.
Applicant—Yes ; he did. This man has been
visiting my wife for some months. Is that right?
Mr. Arnold—l should think not.
Applicant—The man's a soldier. She's in deep
distress. She's confined with her second child now.
Am I bound to keep it ? _ _

Mr. Arnold—That would depend upon whether
it is yours.

Applicant—She's written me a very penitent let-
ter, saying she's very sorry, and wants to come
back. Am Itodo it ?
Mr. Arnold—lf you like.
Applicant—That's not what I mean. I don't like
it, if I ain't compelled.
Mr. Arnold—What do you mean ?
Applicant—Am I bound to take her back ?
Mr. Arnold—Certainly not.
Applicant—They lived together in my name. Is
that right ?

Mr. Arnold—lt is not.
Applicant—She has been running into debt ; am
I bound to pay ?
Mr. Arnold—l should think not; that would
depend upon circumstances.
Applicant—What circumstances ?
Mr. Arnold--If you can prove she has com-
mitted adultery, she has forfeited all claim to your
support, and I should consider that you would not
be liable to any debts she had contracted since that
occurred.

Applicant—Then I ain't bound to have any more
to do with her any more.
Mr. Arnold—No.
Applicant—Then I'm satisfied.

THE DESTRUCTION OF HER MAJESTY'S
221E.4TRE.