The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-30
MORNING STAR AND CATHOLIC MEssEHaER.
NEW ORLEANS SUNDAY, AUGUST 80, 1868.
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ESCAPE OF ARCHIBALD HAMILTON ROWAN.

eminent issued a proclamation prohibiting
the assembling of the volunteers, VINO had
tired in the uniform of the French National
Guards The parade did not take place in
consequence of the proclamation. On the
10th of the same month the society OF the
United Irishmen issued an address to the
volunteers, written by DR.. brennan, and
signed by him as chairman Of the meeting,
and by Archibald Hamilton Rowan as sec
retary.~. For the publication OF this address
both of the above named gentlemen were
prosecuted by the government on a charge
Of libel Curran defended the .traversers
brennan was acquitted on point OF form,
but, thanks to n judiciously packed jury
1.-TWO of whom had been heard to declare
that, 90 Ireland erould merer be quiet until
Hamilton ROwan and Ndpper Iundy Uere
hanged, - Rowan was found guilty IN spite
of Curran's matchless speech in his defense.
Rowan was sentenced to two years impris-
onment from the 18th of january, 1894, and
to pay fine OF 95OO.
Rowan was Immediately conveyed to
Newgate and had been about two months
there. when the Rev. William Jackson, an
emssary of the French Government, ar
rived in Ireland. He was accompanied by
a fellow named Cockayne, a London soil
citor, Il spy and informer IN the employ OF
Pitt. Mr.. Leonard McNally, another gov
eminent spy, then i'll the confidence of the
United Irishmen, had got jackson and his
companion introduced to Wolfe Tone,
Rowan, and DR.. Reynolds. Rowan fell at
once into the snare. Evidence was obtained
against him of completely with Jackson
':sut1icient to hang him." jackson, all I'M
conscious of the part he was performing,
having been allowed to do the work OF
Cockaync and his employer, Pitt, was ar
rested in the latter part OF April, l|9i, ana
conveyed to Newgate. On the evening OF
Jacksons arrest Cockyane paid visit to
Rowan in prison, lamenting his friends"
indiscretion, to which alone he imputed the
discovery, and begging Rowan, II possible,
to procure him admission to Jackson's cell.
Rowan, being on good terms with the I'M
der-iailer and not being at the time sus-
pected Of completely with juckson,| man
aged to procure admittance for both him.
self and the spy, as soon as the sentry was
withdrawn from Jackson's ROOM. AT this
interview Cockayne gave an account OF his
examination before the Privy Council, in
the course of which he stated that as two
witnesses were necessary to prove high
treason, Rowan and jackson were safe II
they only proved true to each other, even
though he should be compelled to tell all
he knew Of the matter.
Rowan, seeing his danger, determined to
effect his escape if possible. Reynolds had
already been apprlsed OF his danger, anu
had fed to America.
On the LIST of May, 1894, Rowan, having
concerted plan of escape with his friends,
prevailed on two subordinates of the head
taller of Newgate, the MoDowells Gather
Dominick street, for the avowed purpose of
signing certain legal documents of impor-
lance, accompanied by the younger Nc
Dowell, and promising to return when this
legal business had been transacted. An
offer of 400 was made by Rowan for this
service. AS the jailer thought Rowan was
only confined on charge of libel, he felt
confident that there was no danger OF his
meditating an escape. On reaching his
house, Rowan, while apparently waiting
for his man of business, protfered the fl00
he had promised. Young Mcdowell at first
refused the money, saying, he did not do 1T
for gain but, on being pressed, he poe keted
the cash. Rowan then obtained permission
to speak a few words in private to his wife
in the back drawing room, the folding
door being left open ut the .jailer's request.
Everything being prepared Rowan seized
the favorable opportunity: 10y Il rope he
descended from a window INTO the back
yard, and in the stable found hofsezreadys
saddlcd. Disgusting himself in Il PEASANTS
great-coat, he proceeded to the residence
OF his attorney, Mr.. bowling, who was i'll
the secret of his design. Unfortunately,
that gentleman's house was filed with COM
pany, and by his advice Rowan proceeded
to the top of Sackville street, opposite the
Rotunda. In this, the most public part of
Dublin, Rowan continued to walk the horse
up and down in the most anxious state of
suspense for more than an hour. AT length
Mr.. bowling appeared, and after short
conference Rowan proceeded to the house
of Mr. Sweetman, near Baldoyle, where he
remained concealed for few days
Immediately after Rowan's escape from
Newgatc, the government issued Il procla
nation, offering reward of f10O0 for his
discovery and apprehension.
On the morning after Rowan's arrival at
Mr.. Sweetman's, that gentleman set off for
Rush, Skerries, and Batbriggan, to procure
a boat, if possible; but though he offered a
reward of G500 for any one to convey
gentleman who was embarrassed to any part
of France, no one could be found to run the
risk, and he had to return unsuccessful.
Rowan, on hearing the failure of his
friend to procure the boat, felt very much
depressed.-Mr. Sweetman told him lie had