The New York herald., 1866-06-02
HEAD CENTRE STEPHENS.
stephens vs.. sweeny-Tho Former OPP
posed TO tho Invasion.

stephens sweeny-Tho Former Op-
posed TO tho Invasion.
PHILADELPHIA, June I, 1855
The news from the Canadian frontier caused great
element In this city to-day manifesto is being
prepared by James Stephens which, In the OF the
EsAian circles he represents in this country and Ireland
viii denouncc in the strongest possible language all such
expeditions that being undertaken by the Roberts
sweeny faction His reasons for issuing such n docu.
ent are that his party does desire to commit any
breach Of the neutrality laws by which this country
might be compromised and the Of Ireland ruined
past redemption
Stephens Settles . Disputed Point and
Refutes the spy Calumny-His own
Story OF His Escape from Richmond
Brideweil. "a.
OUR PHILADELPHIA coRREsPoHDEscE.
PHiIADELPHiA May 81, ls6d
The particulars OF the arrival Of james Stephens c.
r. in this city have already been forwarded to you
BY telegraph Other and interesting relating
70 his escape from Richmond prison in Ireland has
como 10 my knowledge his arrival in this city and
may DO rolled on strictly correct in every particular
POINT
~ all the meetings this country has been that no au-
thcntic particulars given by the Head Centre
ef his escape from Richmond prison. On this account
abe charge that be British spy has very ex-
took place the lth Of November 1863 For days
previous 10 that time he remained at his house,
knowing that the danger OF being arrested very
great Ibis was principally because he bad already de-
tsmined 10 get himself arrested " he did receive
reliable intelligence from America His reason for such
course was that the Fenans Of America had promised
the men OF Ireland that some action should take place
before the close Of 1865 and as time went on ana the
prospect grew less promising no determined 10 get him
self errested for the purpose Of stirring up tho
America to give the "men in the gap the assistance
shey required
TIE c. o. n pKpoRE IHK MAGISTRATE
AZ his preliminary examination he stated TO Mr. Strong,
the magistrate that was not his intention to employ
lawyer he was then remanded to the 14th OF Novem.
Der, when was again postponed to tho 10Th On that
day he received the usual caution. when he made the
Ike patriot" Then turning 70 the magis.
,rate, he told him that he had not employed
any lawyer and did not mean TO do so. by so doing
ne should recognize British law in Ireland lie debc
Itey and conscentiousy denied the existence Of British
hw IN ireland aud doned any punishment II could inlct
upon MN This declaration he signed and u Is now
among The records Of the court
IN rNIsoS.
On this account James Stephens was confined IN the
PRISON az Richmond There ho had time 20 reflect and
struck hun that Ills conclusion might have been a
fase one, and he thought the leaders IN this country
might not understand his and the assistance he
expected 20 realize from the mi ght not come
After turning the matter in his mind he.bcca
convinced that he should gain more prestige by getting
out OF prison than he had done BY getting into Ii and
accordingly commenced 70 lay plans for erectng that
object
MS EscArr
on tn following day Of the very men he had in.
tended 70 make agent in ecctlng his escape came 10
him and "a his escape had been planned by parties out
rdc On hearing the names Of the men who had the
matter IN hand he determined on letting them carry Il
out Scme days passed, when he finally heard that he
was 70 eaNe the prison the morning of the oath OF
November. His friends outside had had keys made 70
open The SIX or seven doors between his cell and tho
PRISON wall which was twenty Ave feet high ON the
se,enlns eas q the 2sd he went 70 bed at the usual
hour-elght o'c0ek. He very drowsy aud
required all his Efforts to keep awake About
nlunight he arose aud dressed himself very
su,e.y. lie then turned up the bcdclohcs and
.y Town on the outside Of tho bed in his clothes
70 await the arrival OF his friend Shortly after the
svcs struck Two he heard slight noise al considera
nyodrec b % wneh he M once knew TO be the sound
oaacea oy opening tho rs, gate. Soon afterwards hc
nesrd similar noise and 20 until the key turned IN
be cell door This grated nosv ths, !, la A. no
drawn open with the utmost caution Tho night ~es
similar 70 the one on which Oliver Cromwell d,ed when
6e dreadful and destructive storm which sven, ovrr
and caused the cavaliers 70 say all the dev,s 4,
bell had broken loose carry his soul 10 lie ast boa
The high WIND heavy rain aud intense darkness os ,be
night were all favorable for his escape HIS fnend
pressed himself against the door 70 prevent lie ereak.
tHg, and revolver was instantly I,ac d In hls
hand They then passed in the same mannar