New-York tribune., 1878-07-06
Ex-uIyISrER W4SHBURNE ON MACGAHAN
CORDIAL TRIBUTE FROM Al OLD FRIEND-NrR. MAC

|.
GAUAN AND THE PARIS COMMUNE-rHE STORY
or THE COREEsrONDENT's ARREST.
To the EditOr Of The Tribupe
SIR: have read with much interest in late
number Of your paper, the Just tribute which your
woll-known ana accomplished London Correspond
cnt, Mr.. Smaey, has paid to the " brave Journal
ist' John a. MacGahan, whose recent death IN Con-
stantinopa has saddenei the hearts Of so many
friends. | knew Mr.. MacGahan well. To a quick
intelligence and great shrrwdness he added lndom-
liable courage and extraordinary enterprise and
energy first made his acquaintance at Paris, on
the breaking out Of the Commune, IN March, 1871,
when he and Mr. Soutbworth were attached to the
staff Of The Nc,r- York HerqH under Or. Hosmer.
The risks that he ran, the dangers that he con-
fronted and the scenes that he witnessed in his ca
pacity as a journalist during the whole OF the
bloody reign of the Commune of Paris, have all the
interest of . romance. With sympathy for the
Commune and no respect for its controlling spirits,
be devoted himself to bis duty in gathering every
information during that frightful period. Holding
friendly relations with the military and civil
leaders of that movement of anarchy and blood, 1t
is safe to say that hc had more intelligent HnOwl-
cda, OF all that was taking place at the time than
any man in Paris. From him and DR.. llosmer, as
well as Mr.. Southworth, | obtained from day to
Gav much valuable information which enabled me
TO keep an copam with the passing events Nh
MacGahln was everywhere and taking great haz-
ards One day be- would be at the front. breakfast
ING with DombrowsH or &" ECrgtrct, mi mfme,'
and the next evening, perhaps, dining with some Of
the head men of the Hotel de Vile. As an Amcri-
can journalist he was everywhere well received
by the CommuuardS, but had any suspicious
arisen against hun, his life woud not have been
worth pins fee.
Mr. Smacy. however, was badly informed touch-
ing ihe incident be relates as having taken place
during the last days of The Commune. and where he
is represented a having surrendered himself to
Comlnunard soldier and demanded to be taken to a
military post OF the iusuUcctionary National Guard
to demand the release of two of his friends. This
story singularly exaggerated, probably grow out OF
an affair which actually did take place on the night
of the ODD Of May, 1871, and after the Versailles
troops had got possession Of all the central part ot
Paris. Relieved from the terror of the Commune all
thc Ioyal people were filled with rage and indigna-
ton against their opprcssols Arrests were made
right and lef. by the Versailles troops of the EnO
cent and guilty alike. Mr.. MJCGahan and Mr
Souihworth had their LODGINGS at the Maison
GirouX" boulevard DIES Capucnes. where several
other Americans were stopping. Some slight cir-
cumstance had directed suspicion against the 0ccn
pants of the apartments in this building Unaware
of this MessrS MacGahan and S0uthwOrth, accom-
panied by two ladies' from California, went out to
dine az n ncich0onng restaurant at o'clock in the
evening. They were there arrested by some
Versailles soldiers and very rudely and hurrcdly
marched through the street, to the Military Head
quarters in the Place Yeud6me which they found
cnrumberrd by a vast number Of COmmuuard pr5-
onrrs Of the vilcst character. Late in the evening
Alr Mace. got word to Of what had befallen his
party. ! lost no time IN going TO their relief /
| found them packed in with the multitude IN dark
| court lighted by single dismal lantern. As |
! could not be seen made nv presence known bymy
voice. Both tae ladies aud gentlemen exhibited the
utmost sang foid. MacGahan was without his hat,
having been marched oil 20 suddenly after his arrest
that he was not able 10 get it. at once addressed
! myself to General Douai, vino upon my statement,
| Immediately ordered the release of the whole
| party He expressed much regret at what had
! happened, but sand that in the excited state Of
public lrelngi was impossible to prevent the arrest
of some innocent persons, but that If unfortunately
other Americans should be arrested they would be
immediately released upon my Application, unless
! charged with some crime for which they cOnld be
Justly and legally held. IcxpaIued the whole mat
ter IN one Of NV official dispatches which is pub
lished in my correspondence, which the Senate or
dered to be printed last Winter.
| Mr. MacGahan always visited me when in Paris.
The last time he at the Legation before he left
the city, he entertained me with many incidents OF
ms Commune experience aud said If | could at any
time call at his lodgings, he would place in my
hands many curious official and unofficial dOcu-
mcnts connected with the Commune which had
fallen into his hands. he obliged to leave
! Paris, and it rot my good fortune TO receive
| what ne had 50 kindly promised. hope they are
preserved, as / have doubt they have a real his
! torlcal value DIR. Hosner who was the chief of
! The HraH Bureau at Paris during the Commune,
| could give many "reminiscences of MIR MacGahan,
as well as many incidents of his experiences,
during that reign Of terror am, very respectfully,
| your Obedient servant, +. b. WAsHBUENE.
| No 300 North la Salle-sf, Chicqgo July 2, 1873.
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