The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-28
Climbs Down From His High Perch
And States to the Parnell Commits
sion He Has Nothing to Say.
Ho Offers Some Puny Apologies for
the Collapsed London Times,
And No Doubt Trembles When He
Pleads the Papers Innocence.
The Day OF Retributive Justice Surely ut
Hand, Although Piggott Has Es-
caped-nteresting Interviews
with Egan and Sullivan.

LONDON, Feb. 27.-An immense crowd
was present in the courtroom this morning
when the session OF the Panoll Commis.
sion opened. Much excitement was mani
tested. Mr.. Parnell arrived in the court
room at an early hour. Attorney. General
Webster stated to the court that Mr. Shan
non, the IimC's Dublin solicitor, had ro-
ceiycd letter today from riggott, who is
in Paris. The letter was not in Piggotts
writing. Mr.. Shannon had Immediately
notified the Scotland Yard authorities OF
the receipt of the letter. The Attorney
General then read the letter. II was dated
Saturday, and contained tho confession
Piggott made TO Mr.. Labouchcro on that
day at the attcr's residence. Pggott
added that he desired 10 fully disclose
that he fabricated the alleged fac-simile
Of Mr.. Parnol's letter published in the
7mo and other letters hc had fur
nshed TO that paper. llo denied boing
In touch with the American brotherhood
after ho had sold lis newspaper, the
Irishmdn. lie admitted that he wrote
the compensation with Eugene Davis at
Lausanne from memory only. lie told
Houston that he found the letters in bag,
but he fabricated them, using genuine let
tcrs OF Messrs parncll and Egun, copying
certain words showing the general chanc.
ter Of the writing and tmcing them against
window pane lie alterward destroyed
the genuine letters. The second batch ol
letters ascribcd to Mr.. Parncl were imi-
tatcd from the fac smilc published in the
7mcs lie did not see Brcslin in Amer.
lea. lie admitted that MIR labouchcrc's 4
account OF the interview between them
was in the main correct
The letter dated Saturday was enclosed
in another letter bearing date "llolcl Du
Monde, Paris, Tuesday, and saying "Bc.
lore leaving the enclosed lthc confession
was handed me, having been lett while /
was out will write again soon
"NCnARD PIgGorr."
Attomcy-G General Webster said every.
| body would agruc that nobody could
attach any weight to iggoits evidence
and il was his duty ~ ak the court &,
| withdraw from cousid,i ing the genuine
ness vi the letters. Tho iipio lac said
desired 10 oxppSs rrsrct for publishing
tho lcttcp and the prlpricior oi that pa
| per would themselves more lully cXprcs'
/ their regret later. lie rcpudntcd th,
allegation made by Sir Charles Russell
yesterday that there wes a foul conspiracy
behind piggott aud Houston. II such q
conspiracy existed the lima hal no share
in it. II the error Of the iimo extended
beyond that thc cou.t should make ih,
| fullest inquiry.
Sir Charles Russell said ho had hoped
/ the Atlorncy-Goncml would have mad,
/ stronger statements.
Mr.. parnrll was then called and sworn.
! llc denied signing tho alleged loitcr Of th,
18TH Of Nav Mr.. Campbell, his sccrc
| tnry, did not write the letter. Wilncg
| had not heard of such letter until hc slW
| IL published In the Inns Mr. Campbell
| bad gone 10 Antwerp tp cndeayor to find
/ Mr. riggott Mr.. Pancl denied thc gcn.
uincncss Of the other leticn, purporiing 3,
| have been signed by himself aud Mr
Egnn. lie said he aud Mr.. Egan had had
/ extensive correspondence. lie dictate,
to Mr. Campbell letter regarding an In
toryicw asked by riggutL The letter Whicl
the 1imo reproduced was evidently imi
iaicd from Il. lie hid no interview will
| Piggott
AZ this point Attofncy-Gcncml Web
stcr askcd that the commission adjourn
until tomorrow, but the court adjounc,
until Friday.
Piggoits arrcs, Ia Paris is regarded ri
| imminent but Il IL doubtful whether thl
French Government will regard pCfiur,
~ an oxtraditablo oiicnsc.