Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-30
THE CONVICT BARRETT.
Large Public Meefing-Letter
from Barrett.

From the London Times. May l2.l
The respite Of the sentence OF death
passed on Michael Barrett, for participa-
ton in the Clerkenwell outrage, extends
over seven days from the date originally
fixed for the execution. 1t is believed
that this will afford ample time to com
plete. the investigation into the truth of
the alibi. Preparations had been ac-
lively made at Newgafe for the execution
when the respite arrived. Since the con-
viction OF Barrett, large number of con-
stables, armed with cutlasses and revolt
vers, have night and day patrolled the
streets in and around Newgate, and every
precaution has been taken by the city
police authorities for the protection of
the prison. A public meeting, convened
by large posters, took place in the Bell
Hotel, Glasgow, on Saturday evening.
There was a crowded attendance. Mr..
Peter McCorry, one of the witnesses 10
the alibi set up Cor Barrett at the Old
Bailey trial, entered into a heightened
history of the steps which had been taken
with view of getting full inquiry into
the truth OF the defense which had been
set up He made minute analysis of
the evidence, and maintained that there
would be nothing more infamous and dia-
bolical than to bring Michael Barrett to
the gallows. 1t was resolved that petit
ton should be sent to the Home Secre
tary, praying for respite to Michael
Barrett till further inquiry be made, and
that Mr. McCorry be empowered to send
it up in the name of the meeting. Mr..
McCorry then read the following letter,
which he had received from the convict:
CONDEMNED Cell,
JAIL OF NRwGATE. 9th May, 1868.
Mr.. P. McCOrry:
DEAR SIR: | am afraid that before this
you will have thought me the most un-
grateful creature in existence in not hav-
ing written to you sooner; yet, 1 can
assure you that such is not the case.
Indeed, there is nothing but the attention
which it was necessary for me to give to
the instructions of my spiritual director
that could have 80 long prevented me
from doing so. | may just say that 1t is
utterly impossible for me to collect my
scattered thoughts sufficiently to convey
to you any idea of my unbounded thank
fulness and gratitude toward you for all
that you have done for me since first it
pleased God to bring these troubles upon
me, knowing me to be Innocent Of the
crimes for which | am called upon to
suffer, and no other object in view than
to vindicate that Innocence, and render
an act of justice to a fellow creature,
do, most acutely, feel for the terrible and
l. L., nh, oh box I'd nf
of the jury lin the eyes Of some) is cal
culated 20 bring upon you and those other
poor men who also endeavored to have
justice done me without either fear of
punishment or hope of reward. What
strange and striking contrast to the paid
witnesses of the Crown, with the gold OF
governmentjingling in their pockets, and
their gilded brbe dangling before their
eyes, ready to be grasped the moment'|
they had secured my conviction. am
wholly at loss to know by what means
the Jury came to the decision they did,
the only evidence upon which the Atior-
ney General dared ask them for a verdict
being that of the terrible man Mullany
and the two people who were in the habit,
they said, of seeing me at his place; yet,
in every other particular they not only
contradicted Mullany, but they contra
dicted each other also. | am certain
there are other juries who will return a
different verdict; yet, however that may
be, it is almost impossible for human
nature to bear up under such an indig
nifty. If there was one thing more than
another required at the hands of their
masters to complete the degradation of
the Irish race, it is now added. Well
may they cry. with the psalmist of old,
" How long, oh Lord, how long 2 / can
no longer allow myself to dwell upon
this subject, lest my feelings should so
far master me as to draw me into express
sions that have no desire to indulge in.
God forbid that | should insinuSte that
the jury (howeyer strange their conduct
may seem) did not act in accordance with
the dictates Of their conscience; but, |
even il we allow such to be the case, 1t |
only aggravates instead Of lessening the !
degradation To all my old comrades | |
send my most sincere love, and trust that
they will not grieve for my untimey end. |
For my part, am entirely resigned to the |
will Of God. 1t is He who gives, and He |
who has right TO take whenever aud |
however it may please Hin. As | hope |
myself to be forgiven, | forgive every one |
who has injured ne, and trust that my ]
friends will entertain no ILL., feeling |
toward any one on my account This |
being the only letter / shall write to you /
before entering into eternity. permit me
10 say that am your most grateful aud
.ruly sincere friend.
NJ. BARRErr
A vote Of thanks to Mr.. McCOrry con-
,luded the proceedings
The Atlanta Netc Era says. IN its ac-
souut Of the decoration Of the graves Of
he Confederate soldiers With flowers, on