Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-09-11
THE PLUMED KNIGHT.
Some Political History-The Story Of
the Mulligan Letters.
Did blaine Go on His Kness 90 Null
liganf-Did He Read the Letters
Correctly I'm the Housei-The
Famous Sunstroke.
New York World

New York World
VIII you please explain what is meant by the Null
ngan letters, and who Mulligan was, and whether
Blaine ever went down on his knees Mulligan.
stroke1 Up ALcorT.
The story of the Mulligan letters is briefly
told. They were letters written by Mr..
Blaine to Mr.. Fisher concerning land-grant
railroad stocks and bonds, and they were
held, with Fishers consent, by his book
keeper, James Mulligan.
Below are the two most important Multi
gan letters:
AUGUSTA, June 90 1869.
My Dear Mr.. Fisher--I thank you for the
article from Mr. Lewis 1t is good in itself
and will do good. He writes like man of
large intelligence and comprehension.
Your offer to admit me to a participation
in the new railroad enterprise is in every re-
spect as generous as | could expect or desire.
thank you very sincerely for it, and in this
connection wish to make a suggestion of
somewhat selfish character
You spoke of Mr.. Caldwell disposing of
share of his interest to me. If he really de-
signs to do so, l wish he would make the
proposition definite, that | could know
just what to depend on Perhaps if he waits
till the full develoI ment of the enterprise,
he might grow reluctant to part with his
share; and l do not by this mean any dis
trust of him.
l do not feel that shall prove deadhead
in the enterprise if | once embark in it, l
see various channels in which know l can
be useful
Very hastily and sincerely, your friend,
J. G. BLAINE.
Mr.. Fisher, India street, Boston.
AUGUSTA, Oct H. 1869.
"My Dear Mr.. Fisher: Find inclosed con-
tracts of parties namel i'll my letter of yes
terday. The remaining contracts will he
completed as rapidly as possible as circurn-
stances will permit.
81 inclosc you part of the Congressional
Globe of April 8, containing the point to
which | referred at some length in my
previous letter of to-day. You will find it
of interest to read it over and see what a
narrow escape Jour hi made on that last
night Of the session. or course it was my
plain duty to make the ruling when the
point was once raised If the Arkansas men
had not however, happened to come to me
when at their wits end and in despair, the
bill would undoubtedly have been lost, or
at least postponed for a year. l thought the
point would interest both you and Caldwell,
though occurring before either of you en-
gagged in the enterprise.
81 beg you to understand that thorough
ly appreciate the courtesy with which you
have treated me in this railroad matter, but
your conduct towards me i'll business mat
ters has always been marked by unbounded
liberality i'll past years, and, of course, l
have naturally come to expect the same of
you now You urge me to make as much
as l fairly can out Of the arrangement into
which we have entered. 1t is natural that
l should do my utmost to this end. | am
bothered by only on thing, and that is the
indefinite arrangement with Mr.. Caldwell.
am anxious to acquire the interest he has
promised me- but do not get definite un-
derstanding with him | have with you.
shall be in Boston in Il few days, and shall
then have an opportunity to talk the matters
over fully with you am disposed to think
that whatever l do with Mr.. Caldwell must
really be done through you. Kind regards
to Mrs. Fisher. Sincerely,
'W Fisher, jr. J. Ct. BLAINE"
Associated Press Dispatch Washington, June l.
1876
Jas.es Muiligan said he wanted to make state
ment before continuing his examination He said
that when he arrived here note came down from
MIR. Blaine requesting the witness and Mr.. Fisher to
call at his house. Witness declined to CO. but Mr.
Fisher went. After witness testified yesterday, Mr.
Blaine called upon him and asked him ABOUT some
letters which were in his possession and wanted
witness to give them up to him. but witness declined
on his knees and pleaded for the letters saying they
would ruin him for life, and when witness further
declined Mr.. Blaine asked him to think OF his wife
and six children. He besought witness, and almost
contemplated suicide. He offered to get him a con-
sulship in return for the letters. Witness allowed
Mr. Blaine to take them under pledge that he
would return them. He looked them over and did
return them This was in the presence of Mr. Fisher
and Mr. Atkins. Witness then retired to his room
and Blaine followed him and wanted to look at the
& letters again. Witness allowed Mr. Blaine to take
them and Mr.. Blaine refused to return them and
still retains them There were about eighteen let.
ters
In 1876 Morton, Conkling and Blaine were
candidates for the Republican nomination,
with the chances three to two in favor of
Blaine against the field. Morton, to kill
Blaine, started number of railroad investi-
cations in the Democratic) house, which
brought on damaging charges against the
ex-speaker The Democrats had nothing to
do with the Republican family quarrel at
first, and permitted the Republicans to fight
it out among themselves. After having been
for four weeks under fire. Blaine made per-
sonal statement to the house which was
general denial, and for four weeks more :he
investigation dragged on, Democrats taking
little or no interest i'll it.
May 80 the sub Judiciary committee (inst-
gated thereto by Senator Morton) summoned
Warren Fisher, ir., of Boston, O contractor
for building the Fort Smith and Little Rock
railroad, who sold out his contract to Josiah
Caldwell (and didn't get the money! and
James Mulligan, Of Boston, treasurer of the
Globe theater who had been Mr. Fishers
bookkeeper. Fisher and Blaine had had
close business relations for many years.
These witnesses were called to testify in rela-
tion to certain bonds and stocks alleged to
have been sold or given to Mr.. Blaine and
particularly in regard to $4,000 bond Tom
Scott had exchanged for Northern Pacific
bonds for Mr.. Blaine. They were very I'M
willing witnesses. Mulligan admitted the
sale of Fort Smith bonds to Blaine and yari-
GUS sales and transfers, but knew nothing
material Fisher admitted selling various
blocks of stock to Mr.. Blaine, but denied
giving him $130, 900 i'll bonds without con-
sideration. Mulligan was ordered to appear
before the committee the next day.
When the committee met the next MORN
ing Mr.. Null lgan startled the committee and
the country with a story which is outlined
in tho folio wing:
Mr.. Blaine, sworn in rebuttal, admitted
the interview, admitted taking the letters,
admitted that he had them in possession;
!. but denied having gone down on his knees,
or having said they would ruin him, or hav-
ing offered the consulship. His motive for
keeping them he explained follows:
Mulligan said he did not know what might
transpire in his examination to-day, and
that he was going to hold those papers for
his own protection and vindication. I said