The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-23


an address at which he could write to Par
nell. with whom he wished to communicate
on matter of vital Importance. Piggott
SAID he had forgotten { Q letter, but adj
mitted that he must have written 1t. He had
not the slightest idea as to what The matter
referred to was. On being hard-pressed and
after fencing he admitted that he must
have received an answer, but had forgotten
whether or not it directed him to write
under cover to Madame Ruyer, 90 Avenue
de Villiers Paris.
Sir Charles Russell read from a letter
from Piggott to Egau written on Feb. 27
IN which 1t was stated tat he tPiggotN
had received an ano lymous letter
from two gentlemen who would call
upon and submit TO PiGgott
proposal greatly to his advantage. They
came, but declined to give their names
They had an interview lasting two ours,
during which they asked him to publish a
statement, which was an outrageous libel,
about the ending of league funds, and
which was to be so constructed that its
publication would do much harm.
BADLY IN WANT OF $500
He added that he was badly in want OF
$500 but would be satisfied with g300, in
addition to the 9200 already sent in con-
sideration of his per- Piggott concludes
his letter by saying: But as | am can
truly say that have always been true to
those who trustei me-" Laughter The
witness said Egan did not send the money.
[Lsughter.]
On March Piggott wrote to Egan
giving an outline of the statement referred
to. He also stated in the 10 ter that Egan
would see that if he (PlggotD published the
statement he would get R500, and that
whatever the consequences might be, he
would be compelled to accept the offer
unless Egan assisted him.
On March IL Egan replied that he re-
garded the letter as threat, and declined
to pay anything, even il he could.
The witness said he received letter from
Egan on June IS, 1881, in relation to the
sale of the IriShmdn.
AREM ARKABLE SIMILARITY.
Sir Charles Russell read Egan's draft of
letter written on the fly leaf Of Piggott's
letter The phraseology of the first thirty
eight words was identical with the Times
We sion of Egan's letter of June IS, 1881.
but the dates in the text Of the Times YER
sion were changed to June IL and June Is.
The witness admitted that the similarity
was remarkable.
Sir Charles pressed the witness regarding
several similar resemblances in the phrase
ology of letters Egan had written to Pig
gott and letters Piggott had supplied
Houston. The witness admitted that, as
suming Sir Charles copies to be correct,
which he would not admit, the condolences
werestriking, The copies, he said, might
have been forged. If they we're no the
coincidence could be got over because men
were in the habit Of using the same phrases
II he wanted to forge a document having a
genuine letter to initiate would assist him.
He could not say how he would use the
original because he had never tried
HIS ERROR IN SPELLING.
Piggott admitted that he misspelled the
word "hesta cy" in the witness box yes
terday. He believed that knowledge that
in the letter of Jan. o, 1882, was simila ly
mlsspelled word had influenced his mind.
This letter did not come into his p s.
session until the summer of 1886. so he C luld
not account for the misspelling of "hesi-
fancy" in hi own letters prior to that
After Parnell had declined to employ him
on the staff of tue Irishmon, ne asked a
priest named Meagher to intercede with
ParnelL
Sir Charles Russell produced the witness
letters to Meagher and pointed out furtler
resemblance to the Times letter. He then
asked the witness II he was not ashamed of
himself.
Piggott replied hotly: "Under the cir
cumstances no. 1t Is scand Ilous that /
should bs thus questioned. l did not forge
the letters. II did should not be here"
A BORROWER FROM FORSTER.
Mr.. Reid produced letters written by
Piggott to Secretary Forster in which Pig
gott asked loan. After much writing, IL
whieh- Piggott pleaded poverty, Secretary
Forster sent him 9l00 as a private loan.
Some time later, as matter OF personal
sympathy, Secretary Forster loaned Pig
gott ESQ TO enable him to go
to America. Piggott did not go,
however, but renewed his applications for
money, until Secretary Forster granted
him al interview.
Sir Charles Russell produced letter after
letter, including Piggott's demand for
loan Of 9200 to enable him to 20 to Aus
tralia, until the witness became dazed and
forgot everything. The commission then
adjourned.
CAREw's CRUEL TREATMENT.
In the House of Commons to-day, Mr..
Parnell, who was loudly cheered, said he re-
GREETED that he had been unable to give
notice Of a matter that broOked no delay.
He proceeded to describe and comment upon
the cruel treatment to which Carew has
been subjected in prison.
Mr.. Balfour replied that he had no knowl-
edge of the matter, and hinted that Mr..
Parnell's advices might be Inaccurate. He
adhered TO the position that all tine prisoners
must be treated alike.
Mr.. Smith stated that the expenses of the
Parnell commission would be specially pro-
vided for in the next estimates,
E4.z nNN~a