The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-04
GENERAL PRYOR TO TIE RESCUE.
He Leaves for London To-day to Defend
O'DonnelI-To be Followed Next Week by
Ex-Judse Fullcrton-Wili They be Allow
cd In ApuSnry
fWorld, 3d.l

IWorld, Sd.
General Roger A. Pryor will sail on the
Cunard steamer Scythia at O'Clock this
morning Tor England, having been retain
ed as counsel 10 defend Patrick O'Donnell,
whose trial for shooting James Carey the
iniOrmer will begin the 18th instant in
London. General Pryor was obliged to
repair on board the vessel last night, but
before leaving his residence, No. 147 Will
low street, Brooklyn, he was seen by re-
porter OF the World, to whom he said:
Yes, / have been retained to defend
0'Donnell. The fact has been kept quiet,
yet since you ask me / see no objection in
telling you. As the prisoner is an Ameri-
can citizen, and rs some OF the evidence
on the trial will come from this country, it
was thought proper by some OF his per-
sonal friends to have American counsel as
sist the local ones in his defence. There
Is no political signication in my
being retained. Mr.. O'DonnclPs barrister
is Mr.. Sullivan, and his solicitor is
Mr.. Guy. Both these gentlemen have Il
very high professional standing. They are
on all points OF law, and Mr.
Sullivan especially is very eloquent
pleader. / have no doubt that they could
and would do ample justice to the case,
and have made il condition OF my being
retained that it shall meet their unqualified
approval, and that my position be subordi-
mated to theirs. The prosecution will be
led by Mr.. Poland, who is also very able
advocate"
"Will your appearance rs counsel in the
case be agreeable to the British Govern
ment!"
"Of course I cannot appear il any OBJ
lection is made on the part OF the Crown.
| am not an English barrister, and my adj
vocacy on the defendants hehalf will be
permitted only as an act OF courtesy by the
Judge. But l do not anticipate that the
prosecution or The magistrate will put any
obstacle in my way. j believe that the
British Government is sincerely desirous
of according the prisoner full and fair
trial, and that is all we ask. l expect to
arrive in England on the 18th, barring ac-
cidents, and the trial is set down for the
18th. That does not give me much lee
way, but it is not likely that the trial will
actually begin on the first day. 1t usually
happens that there are some delays"
Is lie TO SPEAK HIS MIND FREELY!
"May not one OF the reasons OF your
being retained have been that you, owing
no allegiance to the British Crown. would
dare to speak your mind more freely than
the local counself"
81 cannot say. MesSrs. Sullivan and
Guy no doubt follow Lord Brougham's
rule, laid down, you know, in the famous
Queen Caroline's case, which is to go to
any lengths in defence OF ones client,
They would not be afraid to say what they
NAV deem necessary through any fear OF
awaklng the displeasure Of the British
against themselves. As for
me, | shall do my duty, with my whole
soul intent on the single purpose OF Sc
curing the defendants acquittal."
"What will be your line OF deience?"
"Pardon me il refuse, for professional
reasons. to make that public at present"
"Are YOU at liberty TO state by whom
YOU were retained?"
81 have already told you-by personal
friends OF Mr.. O'Donnell. You cannot
expect me to give you their names"
"Nor whether they reside on this side OF
the Atlantic?"
"That, also, must decline to answer"
WHAT MR.. FORD SAYS.
Mr.. A. L. Ford. managing editor of the
Irish World, said last evening that General
Pryor and ex-Judge William Fullerton had
been engaged to defend O'DOnnell, and
that would be at the opening of the trial
in London on October 10Th. EX-Judge Full
lerton will probably be there week later.
Mr.. Ford added;
"Ne have interested ourselves, and in
fact the entire Irish element OF this coun-
try, in O'Donnelfs behalf, and we will do
all that is in our power to secure his ac-
qmttal. So far O'Donnell has been treated
outrageously by the English authorities.
His trial has been fastened in order that
his friends will not have time to secure the
necessary evidence in his behalf. There
are many witnesses in Melbourne whose
testimony would assist in establishing the
fact that O'Donnell shot Carey in self-de-
fence. But owing to the little time given
to prepare for trial we will be unable to
produce these men,"
"By whom were General Pryor and ex-
Judge Fullerton engaged!"
"That / am not at liberty TO state.
O'Donnell has many sympathetic friends in
this country. The Irish World has done
much IN his behalf, and instituted the fund
for his defence. The people are not slow
in responding to the appeal. We have AL
ready raised $4,000, and the money is COM
ing in at the rate Of $1,000 week"
.'What will the defence be!"
1--WE will put in a plea OF seli-defence.
There is no doubt in the minds OF every
man that the shooting was
justifable."
"Why was il that General Pryor and eX-
Judge Fullerton were selected to act for
O'Donnell!"
WHY AMERICAN COUNSEL WAS SELECTED.
"General Pryor was selected on account
OF his ability as a lawyer. l know OF no
man who can better represent the Amerl-
can bar. O'Donnell is an American citi-
zen. and General Pryor and ex-Judge Full
lertou will defend him as an American
citizen. Ex-Judge Fullerton is probably
one OF the ablest lawyers we have In this
country to conduct cross-examination,
and he will prove valuable man at the
trial. There Is nothing strange In the TACT
that American lawyers should be engaged
to defend O'Donnell in England. Of
course the English laws arc different to
ours, and 1t Is not to be expected that an
American lawyer will be perfectly familiar
with them. But the defence will be rep
resented on the other side by Mr.. A. NJ.
Sullivan, NJ. p, and Mr.. Charles j. Guy, q
celebrated member OF the English bar.
Both General Pryor and cx-Judge Fuller.
ton think that O'Dopnelps chances are
good n he receives fair trial." -
"General Pryor was not selected because
OF his sympathy for the Irish people and
the interest be manifested in Tynan's
casei"
"No; IT was because Of his ability as a
lawyer"
1t Is said that S3O, 900 has been raised In
this country for ODonneIps defence. In
\ recent interview Dir. A. Il. Ford was ere
dited with making certain statements con-
cerning the fund for O'Donnell which are
not consistent with his Views, and which