Ellsworth American., 1876-06-08
THE WITNESS MULLIGAN.


WAsbiN1ToS, June L.
The examination of Mulligan was con-
tinued to-day. He wanted to make a state
ment before continuing his examination.
He said when he arrived here note came
down from Blaine requesting witness and
Fisher to call at his house. Witness de-
cllned, but Fisher went. AfIer witness
testified yesterday Blaine called upon him
and asked him about some letters which
were in his possession, and wanted witness
TO give them up, but witness declined to
do so. Witness said Blaine almost got
down on his knees and pleaded for the let
tiers. saying they would ruin him. lie be-
sought witness TO think OF his wife and six
/ children, and almost contemplated suicide.
/ Witness allowed Elaine 10 take them un-
der pledge he would return them. lie look.
ed them over and did return them. This
was in the presence of Fisher and Atkins.
Witness then retired TO his room and Blaine
followed him, and wanted TO look at the
/ letters again. Witness allowed Blaine to
take them and Blaine refused to return
them. and still retains them. None were
present at this time but Blaine and wit
ness. There were about eighteen letters.
While this statement was being made,
Blaine sat a table opposite witness. snd
exhibited considerable mirth at the state-
ment. laughing outright At the remark
about suicide. and when witness closed
Blaine rose at once. and asked TO be
sworn and be allowed TO make counter
statements. The Chairman osjected to it
at that time. but assured Blaine he should
have opportunity.
Witness was asked II be knew the CON
tents of the letter and what their contents
were as far ss they related 10 Union Pacific
bonds.
n1as. aks tnA ....;..
tents of letters until he mn.in ~----
FRYE said. assuming the statement about
letters 10 be as witness stated. he thought
i, nroner for Blaine to be heard These
io,,.rs urer. nriya.o letters of Blaine to
- -. Iney were kept in Fishers safe.
Witness had no business with them. but
had got possession OF them. and brought
them here. They referred In no manner
whatever TO Union Pacific bonds that
were represented as going to Col. Scott.
Hunter thought committee in absence of
the letters themselves had right to inquire
about the contents. lfthe letters bore upon
the matter at issue, they had a right to
know their contents. Let Blaine put the
letters in possession of the committee and
let the committee decide for themselves.
Blaine said on the ground OF fair play he
thought he should be allowed to make a
statement in relation to what trsnspired
last night.
The statement made by witness was now
being telegraphed all over the country.
would appear In the afternoon papers. and
when they got through with his e1amina-
ton il would be too late for his e1plana-
tion to reach the press.
The committee decided that witness be
( examined first. he said one letter contain
ed an allusion TO boGds aud Blsine's losses
in the transaction, and that Blaine said be
did not retain the money in his possession
forty-eight hours.
Witness further explained that Fisher
knew he had these letters and allowed him
10 have them. He also said that when they
were alone last night Mr.. Blaine talked
toitics TO him and asked him how he
would ke 10 run committee and If he
would not like a consulship, sc.
At the conclusion OF Mullgan's examiu-
alton Blaine took the stand aud with ut
must emphasi, denied under oath all Of
Mulligsn's statements that he Blaine had
offered him 3 consulship or that he had
tod Mulligan that the publication OF the
letters or OF Mulligan's testimony would
ruin him. All this sort OF thing was pure
fancy lie denied he obtained the letters
under pledge TO return them.
He called on Atkins. Fisher aud Multi
gan at their hotel. and talked with all OF
them for sometime together. He had known
Mulligan for twenty-five years. He had
been private secretary for two Of Blaine'>
brothers-in-law. and in that capacity had
obtained possession of many private mat
tiers, not in any way connected with the
case. but concerning other persons, and
many da Ing back long before Blaine came
to Congress
Hunter then asked Blaine 10 submit the
letters and memorandum made from them
BY Mulligan. 10 The committee Tor their
private examination.
Blaine said he must for the present de-
cline TO DO this, but il In the judgment Of
counsel who would command the commit
tees entire confidence, they had any bear
ing whatever upon the pending Inquiry. he
would produce them. He did not want the
committees verdict on pending charge TO
be delayed by their going into purely pri-
vate matters outside the case.
In examining letters Blaine found only
one had anything whatever Ia do with This
case. and this he returned TO Nulligan. but
kept the others for the reason he was exas-
perated by Mullirans announcing his de-
ermination TO publish them If anybody i'm
pugned his character or testimony, In any
respect.
Blaine then In the presence of Fisher and
Atkins told Mulligan that a. these letters
had no bearing upon the ease. ami were
improperly in Mulligan's possession. he
(Blaine) would not return them.
Blaine then csllei on two of his friends
both lawyers. and read all the letters to
them and informed them that he would
also to-day lay the letters before two OF
the wisest legal counsellors in Washing
ton. and if they said there was anythin. In
the letters bearing on the case in the re-
| motest manner he would relinquish them.
He considered Mulligan might Just as well
20 to his house and take his other private
letters and lay them before the committee.
THE BLAINE LETTERS.