The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-13

State. requested the Spanish authorities to ar
rest him on his arrival. They did so. and.
though there was no pxtraditio ion treaty between
the two Governments. and the suit against
Tweed was n civil and not criminal one, ho
was turned over to the commander Of the United
States man -of-war Franklin, and dellyccred TO
the Sheriff Of this county on Nov. 70. 1876.
One of the civil suits had been tried in his ab,
sence by Judge Wes,Hrook n,ir oel1sf bGHfid bn,i
lions. After his capture 10y Hamilton flsh.
Tweed confessed judgment; H9 was Ikept in
iail until death rclcnsrd him. whether
held us n Judgment debtor or under the
untried indictments is unknown. On tho 6th
Of December he wrote piiiful letter To- Charles
OConor He said that he was an old man
greatly broken in health, cast down in spirit,
and no longer ablc to bear his burden. 10
mitigate the prospect Of u hopeless impris7on-
mcnt which must speedily terminate his life,
he was ready 30 make any sacrifice or effort ana
sought only the shortest and most efficient man
ncr to make an unqualified surrender. Ihis
letter was sent to Attorney-Gcnnrnl fHirchlld,
and through some hOeus- pocus Mr.. Tweed was
led to surrender checks and documents, and
make a statement, the substince oil wnlch Hp-
poured in the newspapers almost ns soon ms
written. Attorney General Fairchild did not
think the confession Of sufficient importance to
release Mr.. Tweed, In 4 recent letter he de-
clares that Mr.. Tweed's counsel. John d.
Townsend, asked TO be allowed 20 collect the
SO much percentage. Failing to secqre his
releasc. Mr. Tweed appeared before an mhvesti.
eating committee appointed by the bonrd OF
Aldermen. and answered all their questions
concerning the operations of the Ring. A petit
ton for his release has been circulated through
the city. and signed by many prominent citi-
zens. Hugh Hastings WAS one Of the signers
and did what he could u procure other sigma
turcs Mr.. Tweed was much affected when he
heard of 1t. His friends have repeatedly urged
that his confinement was killing him. but their
appeals have been treated "a subicrfuges to
procure his rcenSr. and no attention has bocn
paid To them. His friends visited him regular
~. and conversed and played Boston with him
every afternoon and evening until III health
supcrv"ncd. Somr months ago his family
went to Europe. and his nearest relatives now
in the city are his brother Richard. and his
daughter. Josephine.
- As an instance OF Mr.. Tweed's memory. Mr.
Foster Dewey tells remarkable story. He
says that the old man would sit at the window
in Ludlow street and call the names OF one out
OF every four that passed by. Nor was this all.
He gave the names. business, and residences Of
their parents. and spoke Of their connections
and Of events In their past lives.
Mr.. Tweed was about feet 10 inches in
height. and weighed Mt one time over 300
pounds. His good nature was proverbinl. In
the height of his power he wore moustache
and closely cropped grizzly board. He had u
round. bright blue eye: n nose nearly equine.
and nigh forehead He spoke very rapidly.
but distinctly. He never required help in writ
lng note or replying to any attack.
lie comprchended his situation at glance. and
took immediate measures for attack or defence.
He possessed splendid executive ability. and
was plucky and determined. His Kindness TO
his family Is known to all. They undoubtedly
have a large sum OF money. and were expecting
his release. His friends say that ne would have
joined them had the Attorney General allowed
him to 20 free.