The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-04-27

they reached lagoons on the
coast of Florida. At one of the light
house stations they made definite stop
page again, Tweed taking board with the
keeper of the lighthouse as John Secor,
an invalid gentleman, seeking a restora-
ton of health and recreation of fishing
and hunting.
Here, too, he parted with his guides
from New York, closing bis contract
with them at that place. Here Tweed
was joined by the person who is known
as Hunt in the reports of his subsequent
arrest. This man was a Florida guide,
and with him Tweed spent a long time
in the interior, camping out, hunting ana
fishing. Subsequently he returned to st.
Augustine, which place he left in a fish
ing smack for Cuba, and he and his COM
panion Hunt landed ten miles outside the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
The remainder of the story is devoted
to an account of Tweed's adventures IN
Cuba, his subsequent sailing for SPAIN,
the arrest at NigO and return to the
United States.
AN INTERESTING LETTER
Appended to the above story is the
following letter:
LUDLOW STREET JAIL. Dec. 6, 1876.
To CHARLES O'CoNoR, Esq:
SIR take the liberty of addressing
you this letter in view of the TACT that
yonr position as counsel designated by
the state authorities in my matters has
prOtessed solely the public good, regard
less of any factions or personal interest.
Heretofore / have met my troubles with
every resource at my disposal, possibly
in q mistaken sense ofduty. have stood
up too long to shield others, rs well as
myself, bearing suck1asses and punish
ment as were melted oht TO my transgres-
sions and my misfortunes. 1t was truly
more in the interest OF Others than in my
own that litigation and resistance were
prolonged. Viewing the manner of my
return to the wards of this prison, real
ling the taunts in the civ, state and
nation which | am brought here to con-
front, it will not, / hope, seem to be pre-
sumption or insincerity in me to say that
am indeed overwhelmed; that all
/ further resistance being hopeless / have
none now to make, and only seek the
shortest and most efficient manner in
which / may make unqualified sur
render.
1t is not my purpose to dispute or APP
peal or further resist the suits which you
/ have against me in the name of the state
and people. / propose forthwith to
place at your disposal a full surrender of
| all | have left of the property or effects
/ and respond at onceto such examination.
In this connection / may assure you
and the public of the good faith of this
( assignment. As we'll as show the entire
amount and disposition Of all ! have
possessed. so far IS you may wish it to
| he detailed. | am an old man greatly
broken in health, cast down in spirit and
can no longer bear my burden. To miti-
gate the prospect Of a hopeless imprison-
ment which must speedily terminate my
/ life | should, il seems to me, make any
/ sacrifice or effort During the early
stages of the suits and proceedings
/ against me l was ready to make restitu-
ton and reparationa as far as in my power.
/ ENHANCEMENT withinterests of cOunsels
of Others delayed and defeated this.
regret that my means have now become
so utterly inadequate. | would not
make a futile offer if ! had not some as
surance through your published state
ments that vindiotion of principle and
the prospect OF PERMANENTLY purifying
! the public serviceare objects you have
in view as being more desirable than the
recovery of the money.
Ii in any manner you may see fit TO
use me in such connection 1 shall be
only too glad to nspond. Trusting i'm
plicitly in your higher reputation and
| character, | ask o make only single
observation, not a regards myself, but
wherever others my be concerned, leav-
ing my personal and property interests
to be put to the fullest test of examina-
ton and publicity.I would hope to have
I any matters anecCng other persons re-
stricted TO your private knowledge and
/ discretion. Knowing As you do every
material fact already, it would be una
/ vaifing for me further to resist or with
! hold any details you may demand. |
only ask in qualification OF the utmost
/ frankness that your more reliable judy
ment shall take the responsibility of the
publication and use Of such matters only
as may be necessary for the ends YOU
wish to advance ! remain yours very
truly. WM. NJ. TWEED.
1t is understood that Mr.. O'Conor
sent this letter to Attorney General
Fairchild with his verbal rec0mmenda-
ton, and that Mr.. O'Cenor also signifies
his intention TO terminate his more &C
tive connection with the ring prosecu-
tions now practically ended Acting
upon this view, the attorney general has
himself made several visits to Tweed,
and has carried out the examinations of
effects, and especially of the information
which Tweed had to turn over. A
large pile of checks, vouchers and evil
dence is accordingly in the control of
Attorney Fairchild.