The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-07
A BOLD RESCUE.
The Fenian Prisoners in Western
Australia Set Free.
Taken on Board an American Whaler-,
How the Work Was Done.

siderable excitement among the Irish portion OF tha
population, and much anxiety was manifested to learn
the details of the affair. As nothing was published,
however but the bare fact that they had escaped and
had got on board an American whaler. much specua.
ton was INDUCED in as to the means by which they
had succeeded in eluding tho vigilance OF the
British jaiors and regaining their liberty. Nothing
definite probable seemed to be known and the
very absence of detail added TO the interest The
affair Several prominent Irish nationalist, supposed
TO be in the secrets of the revolutionary party,
visited by HERALD reporter yesterday evening
to discover whether any preconcerted plan had
been formed effect the release OF the prisoners and
whether any Irish nationaliss had anything
to do with IT, but it found very difficult get any
definite Information.
At length, however. q gentleman was found who 10
cognxant Of the whole affair and who, though very
reticent the principal points, quite willing ia
communicate certain facts which would, no said,
"show Mr. Disraeli the extent Of the mistake he had
made refusing to grant amnesty" The following
is his statement substantially -
Although do not think 1t would scrvc any good
purpose have all the facts In my possession
Ing this affair published in the HERALD, and the safety
ers demands that | should be reticent. I still
think there many things that can DO
gwen Win safety ana that may De o. some 20
but feel certain II true, because have been look
ing out for the news Tor some time and certain things
in connection with it carry CONVICTION 10 my mind
for reasons | an not prepared to mention Now II
you want the names OF the mon who did the work,
any such information that tell you frankly you
shall have it, and newspaper has the slightest
chaLcc of getting II tor the present. but the general
features OF the affair am prepared TO give you.
The American public must be aware that several
humble members OF the late Fenlan movement, mostly
soldiers Of tho British army, have been detained in
the last years. although the leaders have
been long ago released They tried By court
martial Tor mutiny deseron and other military crimes
ALL ~ Enntu
omitted from the indictments that the unfortunate
men might fall in for mono OF the benefits
OF amnesty 10 political prisoners. They not
recognized political prisoners at all Petitions for
their release have been time and again this
British government thousands OF people have attended
meetings to advocate amnesty and every possible
effort has been made procure their release, buL al
purpose Finally, tired of waiting and hopeless
OF any good coming from appeals TO Engand's mercy
OF the prisoners friends made up their minds
WHAT FORCE COULD no.
and commenced 10 organize tor rescue. IL IS now
four years ago since a lady in this city, who Il
now dead and who was devoted friend OF the prison.
ers received q letter from OF them asking that
something might be done tor them, ana pointing ont
tho fact that possible The letter Was, OF
course struggled out Of the prison. From this
point regular correspondence started, and
after careful inquiry y was found that ths
enough could be got to defray necessary expenses
How TO get that money without exposing the oDjcc
tho problem TO be solved and considerable dim
Guilty experienced in procuring It, ltwoud DO tho
easiest thing in the world to for such
purpose among tho Irish people here; but such an Gu
would the project coaade 1t 10 many people
Finally after long delays, plan Of raising tho money
was MT upon and TWO years ago tho movement WAS
subscribed 1t or how was applied am not prepared
TO make public Just now, but time VIII come when u
can be done, and the facts VIII rebound more 10 tho
credit OF the Irish revolutionary party than anything
that has occurred Tor many years. thousands Of
men knew OF the fact that attempt
be made, though the details wcrc known to very
limited numbcr-possibly fifteen ut tho outside. A
great deal had to rsked aud many personal sacri-
| hceS had q q
thing got into shape and over twelve months ago
gentleman emncntIy qualified TO carry our the enter.
| prise started from here Tor Australia and com.
menced operations. II was peculiarly difficult
ana delicate task and required man
| or unusual ability and tact 10 perform
/ it. The prisoners often separated from each
other and scattered among gangs Of convicts through
the bush working at various kinds OF employ mcnt aud
were liable be changed any moment to another
working party sent to the chief convict establish.
arrange everything that simultaneous dash might
BIO made by all the prisoners and that they might all he
safety conducted TO the point OF embarkation. For
tunatey
THERE ARE no TROOPS AUSTRALIA,
but there is very strong police force. and every
coonist certain OF large reward for the capture Of
an escaped prisoner The escape could only BE- effected
by having u good horse Tor every man and supplying
him with a respectable suit OF CIVILIAN clothes aud
good revolver and OF the Fenan prisoners
old cavalry men they could very well take care Of
| themselves II once together and well mounted and
armed. The great difficulty would Ia procuring ship
TO take them and in making connection with her, but
fortune seems to have favored the prisoners this tmo
whose captain wiling TO take the passengers on
board. That portion Of the story course, only
be told when tho escaped men arrive here;
but you may rest assured the whole affair
was the result OF a well contrvcd plan, for
man Of extraordinary ability and Of inani,e resource.
Besides that all those associated with him and under
his orders are men OF pluck aud cooincss. VINO we're
selected Tor their peculiar fitness for the work required
them, and they all veteran rcvoiutiontsts Even
II Mr. DsraeIi mad consented to proclaim an amnesty
III the the Queen proclaimed Empress Of In
q
work was already done About the 2'th OF April
between Java and Australia, ard this was taken by
those In The the signal that The work had
been accomplished This was donc to prevent pursuit
till the fugves were beyond reach OF the British
authorities. Owing TO local circumstances, u nuss
take very long time to discover where break
occurred the cable near Australia, and that
job was evidently done thoroughly. Tor motto
that this tho first item OF news that has come BY
cable IRON australia since Aprii ~ Then no date -
occurrence and the ship has probably
half her voyage to the United States performed by THIS
time THIS will do more TO stimulate irish reyolu ,
people in tho revolutionary party than anything that
has occurred for very many years Histhe
and Is great blow to the prestige OF England ThcrA
were only actual confinement but there
were nine others living W. stern Australia tickets
of-,eave. Tho actual prisoners follows
James Wilson. Fifth Dragon Guards, tried by court
martial In August, 1885, and sentenced imprison-
ment Tor life; he il native OF county Down, Ireland
Martin Hogan, Finn Dragon Guards, tried by court
martial ana sentenced to imprisonment for fo born IN
Thomas Darragh-Tred n Ireland at court martial In
February 1866 Charged with breach OF the articles Of
war-co.ning 10 the knowledge OF Intended mutiny
and not giving information, &c. Sentencc--Destn;
commutcd to penal scrvitude for life.
Thomas Hassct-Tred In Ireland at court marital inf
August, 1865. Charged with breach Of the articles 0
war. muinous conduct and dcsertion. Sentence
Penal scrvitudc for life.
Ropert cranstonTred In ireland at court martial in
June 1906. Charged with breach of the articles Of
war--mutnous conduct and enaeayoring 10 induce
soldier to become fenian Scntsnce--Penai scrvtude
for life.
James KclIy--Tried In ireland at court martial in
June. 1s66 Charged with breach Of The articles OF
war--comng to tho knowledge OF an intended nusiny,
&c Scntcncc--Pcnal servitudc for life.
Michael gon-Trled IN Ireland at court martial
war-mutnous conduct and dcscrtion Sentence
Penal servitude for life.
The who out tickets Of leave were
Mcssrs Delaney, Foley, Mccoy, Shine, Donohue and .
few others.
Whether all escaped not OF course, yet
be seen.