The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-06-29
= IL = : u =
THE ESCAPED FENIANS.

{ lHE ESCAfED fENIANS.
The Arrangements Made i'm America TO
Release Them from imprisonment In
| Australia.
lFrom the Boston Transcript
| The report which comes from New
York of the rescue of the Fenian prison
ers from the penal colony in Australia
has created considerable interest in this
| vicinity, from the fact that the "details
of the plan we're arranged and partially
| put. ih execution in Boston some two
| years ago; and the mention Of John
! Boyle OReilly's name in connection
with the aeair induced the writer to call
upon that gentleman this morning with
a view of ascertaining further particu-
lars. Mr.. 0'Reilly said it had been in
correctly reported that he was the lead
ing spirit III the scheme, although he
was aware OF al the det5ila fr5rh its in
ception, and fS0ln MS knowledge oI the
topography Of australia, and the official
management of the colony, he was en-
abled to give much information and
many suggestions of value to the active
participants. In the first place, large
sum of money had 10 BIZ raised by the
Irish Naticnaiists to effect the object
desired, as the field of operations IN
cluded almost an entire circuit of the
globe; and the obstacles to be overcome
at the colony would have been deemed
insurmountable, exeept w men ac-
tuated by The highest purposes,
strengthened and emboldened by
invincible courage. There were
eight prisoner 90 be rescued, two
of Hfi5in were located in the great
central stone prison of Freemantle,
and the others were distributed among
the convicts engaged in making the
roads, hundreds of miles apart. 4 suf-
fciept sum cf rnorey having been read
lily raised, one of the best and most
trusted men of the Irish National Revo-
lutionary Party came TO Boston, and in
about six months his plans were COM
pleted. A ship was secured and fitted
out for whaling voyage under COM
mand of New Bedford seaman whose
nautical experience peculiarly qualified
him to execute plan with which he
expressed hearty sympathy the mo-
ment it was mentioned. Messengers
were dispatched by steamer to Austria
liza and to other parts of the British do
minion, to put themselves in communi-
cation with the prisoners. The gentle
man who was the master spirit of the
enterprise intended to 90 to Australia
himself, but it was thought best for him
not to do so, as he had been confined in
prison in England, and a successful
disguise would have been next to i'm
possible. 1t was arranged that the ves-
sci should reach the Australian coast
at a certain time, and signal the men
on shore, and the plan was to rescue
the prisoners, convey them across the
country, and have them all meet to-
gether on the shore at certain time,
to take passage on the vessel. Means |
were furnished for supplying each pris-
oner with horse, suit of |
clothes, and a revolver, Immediately |
he escaped. Each individual escape |
had to be managed independently of
the others, and each had its peculiar
difficulties to be overcome. These |
plans were all carried cut and ready for
execution some six months ago. 1t is
understood that many of the British Of
ficers in Australia can be approach
ed, - and that the only question is often
as to the "price" of a rescue; hence,
the managers could readily secure GER
tain of their men, though how many
Cor whether any at ally were rescued
in that way will not be known until
they arrive upon American soil, safe
from arrest by British officers, and free
to relate their experiences in detail.
The signal which was agreed upon that
the rescue had been successful was the
cutting of the cable, which it appears
WAS done about the 9th of April be-
tween Java and Australia, and which
served the additional means of prevent
ing pursuit. If the surmises of those
familiar with the plans are correct, the
vessel ought to be nearing some part of
the Pacific coast about that time; and
further intelligence will be awaited with
anxiety. The prisoners whose rescue was
so boldly planned were all humble men,
private dragons in the English service,
were sent to Australia in 1866 to be i'm
prisoned for life, and were thus severe
" punished by the English Govern
ment in what was apparently a spirit of
vengeance after the leaders of the move
ment were all free. If they are arrest
ed before reaching this country, or some
other safe point, their execution on the
gallows will speedily and assuredly fol-
low. During the pleasant conversation
with Mr.. O'Reily, he said:
"There are many facts and details
which can not be spoken of until the
men are absolutely safe. Its true mean
ing was to show England that she has
got to accept the alternative OF giving
ireland better government, sooner or
later, or those men will do every thing
they can to assist in destroying her
prestige; and, as Wendell Phillips said,
as soon as she goes to war, they will
stab her to the heart. They have asked
in every pacific way for better treat
ment and better government of Ire
land, and have been ScOrnfully refused.
1t was in Mr.. Disraeh's power to make
this whole movement contemplate by
granting amnesty to these men when |
Victoria assumed the title of Empress;
but he did not choose to exercise his
prerogative."
Mr. O'ReiIly and Mr.. eastman, also
connected with the Pilot, were the only
residents of Boston fully cognizant of
the scheme in all its details, and it is
understood that a New Bedford city
official was very active in superintend-
ing the fitting out of the whaler, which
it is reported has on board a considera-
BILE supply of oil, which has been taken
since she started on the cruise.