The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-22
A FRAIL RELIANCE.
Pigott and the Times Case.
More of His Testimony Before the
Parnell Commission.
His Evidence Very Weak and En-
tirely Inconclusive.
He Tells of the Meeting With La.
bouchere and Parnell.
How He Secured Possession of the Let
ters-Another of the Spies Who
Claims to Be Serving
His Country.

LONDON, Feb. 21.-Upon the reassem-
bling of the Parnell Commission today
Richard Pigoit was again called for ex-
animation. lie testified that in January,
1856, he had two or three interviews with
Eugene Davis, at Lausanne. Witness
told Davis that he required material for
pamphlet Of the league and that the docu-
ments procured must be substantiated by
signatures. The next day Davis said he
had carefully considered the matter and
could not comply with the request be-
cause the Fenian Brotherhood was bound
to Mr.. Panell not to interfere with his
movements until the expiration OF Il GER
tain period Several months later witness,
at the suggestion Of Mr.. Houston, revis-
tied Lausanne and again saw Davis. Davis
still adhered to his refusal to impart in
formation until the day witness LETT
He then proposed TO Davis to write
the pamphlet and fix the date
for its publication. He offered him
el00 TO give the principal facts. Davis
did So and witness took rough notes OF
Davis's statements. Immediately after
ward witness wrote detailed account OF
the interview at the hotel at Lausanne on
hotel paper. lie gave Mr.. Houston the
copy that was read yesterday. Witness
had not seen Davis in London since. In
consequence Of letter which hc received
from friend in Paris early IN April, 1886,
witness had a conference with Houston
and then went To Paris. lie remained in
that city a week or more before lac learned
anything. Then lac WAS accoslcd ON the
street by man giving the name Of Morris
Murphy, who said he had been printer in
witnesses employ; did not recognize him,
but saw no reason 90 doubt his statement
They convcrsed for some time and suisse
qupntly met again, when Murphy said he
had not been able TO ascertain anything
about the documents. week later Muir
phy said he had found the documents in a
bag. He described the bag 10 witness and
said IL contained i've or six Of Egan's let
tiers. some Of parnelPs aud some old nc
counts. Witness said he was authorized
20 find the documents aud asked the price
for their surrender. Murphy at first
wanted ElOOO, but aitcrward said he
= would take CJO0. The next day Murphy
showed witness the bag and its contents.
Witness read the letters and made memo
nnda, but did not actually copy the let
tets.
Pigott here identified six letters OF
Egans, five OF Parnells, including the let
ter fac smile Of which appeared IN the
Timl', and scraps Of accounts which were
produced Ia court as the contents Of the
Tag.
Pigo,t said he did not know Mr. Par.
nclrs writing when lac looked at the bag.
lie knew his signature. lie believed that
the signatures attached 10 the letters werc
those oi Mr.. rarncll. lie had no idea ~
20 who wrote the body OF the letters. lie
did not know Mr.. Campbell, Mr.. Par.
nells secretary aud had never seen hi.
writing Witness returned TO England
aud saw Mr.. Houston, who, after consider
alton, said he was prepared TO pay ih,
amount demanded Tor the letters. lie r.,
turned TO France on April 20, 1856, and
told Murphy that he would accept hi'
offer. Murphy said that agents Of th'
Clan. Na.Gacl from New York claimed the
letter., and in order TO obtain them Il
would be necessary TO 20 10 New York 4
obtain authority from thc heads OF In,
Clan-Na-Gacl. Murphy suggested that wit
ness 90. Witness was strongly opposed {,
going. knowing tina, he would incur
great danger. Alter long discussion
Murphy told witness that Il would be ut
tcrly impossible 10 obtain the letters un
less witness went 10 New York. NitnCs
consulted with Mr.. Houston and went q
New York. There he saw Brcslin, q
whom Murphy had given him letter
lie had not known Brcslin before th
meeting. lie did not know what Mur
phy'a letter contained, 81 was scaled. lh
Interview with Brrsiiu lasted five minutes
Brcslin met him half an hour nhcr his az
rival. lie told him that Ice had receive
n cable dispatch from Paris instruciing hin
10 meet witness After q few remarks b
handed witnCs, a scaled letter, which h
said witness was to deliver 10 Murphy i
puin.
Witness continued. 81 returned I
London and told Houston what had oI
cured. lac believed the letter coniainc
authority t0Nlcii,cr the bag went
Paris on july 40. and saw Murphy ut "a
Hotel -. Petersburg ! handed him tll
letter aud he said b was nll right but i
explained that he could not give me ia
letters until hc had seen other pcOplU
two evening. later Murphy took me 60
cafe in the Hue st. llonorc, ho conducio
mr 90 private room, whore i've m,
were seated around n tables these men ]
said represented the Clun.Na-Gaeli j
made me swear ON Catholic prayrr-boo
llIIl ANAti no fNtANlnNNlNNH W'NfA nv
veal the source from which ] had o
tanned The documents; ! also sworc that
would not mention names, aud u any pr
crc|iugs followed the publication OF u
letters. tha, ! would not testify"
pigou did moi get the documents th
night. Houston bad said that ho YOU
take the documents on Pigots desert
ton. without coming 10 Paris himself, b
riguit pressed him 10 come Witnc
detailed the purchase Of the Letters 90
Murphy's offer 10 rcpurchase them, CO
roboraiiug llouston'B testimony on Oh
point. Witucss bad nothing 20 DO difCc,
or Indirectly with the writing oi the ],
tcfs. "Ihc suggestion that ] forged the
Il quit, untrue hC slid.
Witur~ knew Egdn's writing aud sign
lulc. aud was convinced that Egln wrC
the lciicrs ascribcd 10 him. Murphy "
displra4,d with the refusal 10 return q
letters. lie said hc would prefer 20 p
Pigou Mu sell something rather than
loss possession oi tho letters. Win,
saw llg,g, .H' president Of the /. H.
and Casey. o. rcHn 900 Paris
-it IItf.... . .I..rl here Objected 10 1