The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-16 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Monday Morning.
•
The Nation publishes, under th. 3 heading of " As-
tounding Narrative," the first part of the official
report of the committee lately appointed to investi-
gate the financial affairs of the Fenian brotherhood.

This document shows in a remarkable manner the

rottenness of the organisation. In the words of the
committee, " The cause of Ireland has been made,
in almost every instance, subservient to individual

gain, men who were lauded as patriots trying con-
stantly to plunder the treasury—seeking, however,
to legalise their attacks on it by securing the en-
dorsement of O'Mahony and Killian." Further on

it is stated that the " Head Centre and the Secre-

:ary of the Treasury worked harmoniously together

:o relieve the brotherhood of its finances," and in the

next paragraph the " acknowledged incapacity and
questionable honesty of O'Mahony" is insisted upon.

He is also declared to have been " recreant to his
trust." But the committee reserve their strongest lan-

guage for the concluding sentences of their report
which forms the preface of the evidence taken by them,

" The Moffat mansion," they say, was not only an
almshouse for pauper officials and hungry adven-
turers, but a general telegraph office for the Canadian
authorities and Sir Frederick Bruce, the British

Minister at Washington. These I paid patriots and
professional martyrs,' not satisfied with depleting the
treasury, connived at posting the English authorities
in advance of the Fenian movements." O'Mahony,
in his evidence, stated that the Eastport expedition
cost pop% and that Captain Gaynor and his men
compelled him to give the money for it; they did
" not use their pistols, but locked the door and forced
him to give it." Killian alleged that he was always
opposed to the invasion of Canada. He admitted
that " Ireland was not, as he was led to believe, in
revolution," and he made up his mind not " to be a
recruiting-sergeant for British prisons." Killian has,
of course, a scheme of his own for the relief of this
country ; but he did not reveal it. Col. Kelly, who
was brought over to America from Ireland to act as
signal officer to the Fenian fleet, to prevent " the
hazard of a disaster" when it reached this country,
gave a list of arms, &c., in the hands of the brother-
hood. They include 2,200 stand of arms of all
patterns, 1,309 bayonets, 1,624 cartridge boxes,
3,784 knapsacks, 1,107 sabres, 36,000 percussion
caps, and revolvers, waistbelts, and the like. Capt.
M'Cafferty, who attempted to checkmate Killian,
but failed to do so, expressed his suspicion of that in-
dividual to General Holpin, by stating that there
was a " nigger in the fence." Failing openly to
defeat Killian, he got at the " blind side" of his
associates, and thus neutralised his intentions. The
whole report proves, in fact, that it was one knave
endeavouring to outwit the other, and that the
organisation is employed by men like Killian solely
for the purpose of defrauding the lower order of
Irish in the States.
The Rev. Dr. Butcher, late Regius Professor of
Divinity in Trinity College, was yesterday conse-
crated Bishop of Meath, in succession to tne Rev.
Dr. Singer. The ceremony took place in the college
chapel. The Lord Primate officiated as consecrating
prelate, and was assisted by the Bishops of Cork
and Limerick.

In anticipation of the elevation of Mr. George to
the bench, and the consequent vacation of his scat
for the county of Wexford, Mr. Arthur Kavanagh, of
Borris, has addressed the electors. Ile bases his claim
to their suffrages on his long connection with the
county, his past efforts for the development of its
resources, by the extension of railways, and the
kindly feeling which exists between him and his
tenantry. Mr. Kavanagh avows himself a Conser-
vative, and promises to support Lord Derby's Go-
verment as far as he may consider their measures
beneficial to this country. On the land question he
gives the electors the safe assurance that he will up-
hold any measure that will be for the real mutual
advantage of both landlord and tenant. Mr. Ram,
who is likewise a Conservative, has announced his
intention of contesting the seat, but according to
the Wexford Constitution that gentleman is objec-
tionable to a considerable number of the Conserva-
tive electors—so obnoxious, indeed, that "it would
be impossible to convey any idea of how widespread
and decided the feeling against him is." In the
face of such opposition Mr. Ram, although he had
received promises of support from many influential
members of his party, has signified his intention not
to come forward. Mr. Kavanagh, who is a very
popular gentleman, will be supported by all mem-
bers of the party, and seems to have a good chance
of success. The Constitution describes him as " a
good landlord, with all the prestige which descent
from an ancient and honoured family gives, and he
has always taken an active part in public affairs.
As chairman of the New Ross Board of Guardians
he displays great tact and ability, and remarkable
business aptitude; and as a magistrate he is not
exceeded in acumen and judgment."