Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-21
A SCARED WITNESS.


Continued from First Page.
with recital of Fenian doings perfectly
well known, and had only just reached a
point of real and relevant interest when the
Court adjourned for the day. 1t is possible
| that Pigott's examination will last the
whole of tomorrow.
STRANGE MISSIvES.
1t may be even several days before
| Sir Charles Russell will be able to take him
| in hand. Therefore the following CORE
| spondence, which passed between Pigott
and Mr. Patrick Egan eight years ago, will
will assist outsiders to form a Judgment as
to his character:
FLAG OF IRELAND AND SHAMROCK.
DUBLIN, February q, 1881.
My Dear Mr.. Egan:
received your note of yesterday, but had
not opportunity of writing till to-day. The
matters l wish to communicate to you are,
think. OF great Importance and OF such an w, ex.
traordinary character that you might well De
warranted in regarding it with much doubt,
but it is, nevertheless, strictly true.
On this day week received an anonymous
| letter stating that on the Monday following
couple of gentlemen would call upon me and
make proposition to me, which, if accepted,
would turn out very greatly to my advantage
Accordlngly, on Monday evening they came anne
out TO my house in kingstown. They declined
to give me their names, and have not the
faintest idea who they are. The interview
lasted couple Of hours, and to make q
long story short, they asked me to publish
statement in the IriShndn and Flag, which
they showed me, and stated that might name
my own price for doing so, and would be in
demn1fed against costs and expenses OF any
legal proceedings which might arise out OF its
Tho f0 q
statement of the expenditure of League funds,
and is, think, an outrageous libel from begin
ming to end. 1t, however, makes very circum-
stantial charges, mentions names, gives dates,
and also what is alleged to be an authentic
copy of correspondence between people in the
country and the executive of the League,
which consists of demands on the one hand for
funds to defend parties accused OF completely
in outrages and for the support OF the families
of evicted tenants, and on the other curt and
emphatic refusals.
PIGoTT IS DOUBTFUL.
My own opinion is that the whole affair is
tissue of falsehood, but it is so artfully done
and so apparently truthful that its publication
would, think, be likely to do much harm. AS
a matter of course 1 refused point blank to
have anything to do with it at first, but on con-
sideration thought it best to prolong the chat
in ORDER If possible, to find out the source from
which it proceeds, l did not succeed in this,
DuG requested Time TO give Lne maLLeT
consideration. This was aSSented to- and when
am prepared to give final answer / am to ad-
vert1se in the Irish Times (the form of adver-
tisement is agreed upon), and then the parties
will again call upon me.
My first and strong impression was that = =
were the originators of the affair, but from
cautious and effective inquiries l made at
headquarters am perfectly certain this is not
the case. They have neither hand. act nor
part in it. But have also ascertained certain
things which make me conclude that the
moving spirits in the affair are castle people.
This may seem to you incredible but i feel
sure 1t is a fact have opportunities of hear
ing occasionally how things are proceeding in
that quarter, and have learned Just now there
is great activity among the officials, and there
is an appearance Of mystery observed which
indicates there is something wrong.
l know for a fact that large numbers of
writers-that is, supernumerary clerks-have
been brought from London. and they have been
sworn to secrecy as regards the work they are
engaged in. Our Irish clerks would not be
trusted, and this fact and other things which
won't trouble you with gave me absolute as
surance that this move has its origin in Dublin
Castle.
MONEY WAS AN OBJECT.
From what 1 hear, too, fear there will be
dirtier work done by them yet than we have
any conception of. The grave aspect of the
matter to my mind, however, is the suspicion
that there are traitors in the camp: that some
one in your confidence. or of other gentlemen of
the League. has sold us out. God forbid I
should endeavor to create an unfounded sus-
picion in your mind about anyone The whole
affair may be fabrication, but from the casual
glance got at the document l came to the
conclusion that if any of the statements 1t
contains have the slightest foundation in fact
they must have been obtained from some one
in the confidence of the League leaders. At
all events, there can be no harm in your being
on your guard.
/ 1 have not mentioned this matter to anyone,
nor will l do so. 1 will be guided by your
advice. If this thing were published it could
be exposed, and this course may recommend
itself to you; but on the other hand English
newspapers would make the most of it, and
would not trouble themselves over-much with
the subsequent exposure of its falsehood; and
/ think it is hardly possible its publication
would not produce mistrust to at least some
extent Beside it would be welcomed by our
Fenian friends beyond anything that could
possibly occur, and l cannot conceal from
myself the fact that it would serve me in their
estimation; and / need hardly tell you how
great an object money Is to me just now and
have reasons to believe that these people will
give me anything l ask. But consider myself
in honor bound to you and, bad as am, can
really say have always been true to those who
have trusted me.
SHORT OF FUNDS.
You might, think, perhaps, have been more
liberal with me. I wanted f500 at least, and
you gave me but f200. This left and still leaves
deficit of $500, which is greatly embarrassing
me. But can't doubt that you wouli have
given me the larger sum if you could have
managed it. and even yet, if in your power,
that you will do SO. At all events, in this mat
ter am quite at your command. can easily
tuh t0 haua
this thing published in the IriShmdn. They
know the only chance of producing any effect
in the way they desire is to have it circulated
among the inhabitants of Great Britain and
the United States, particularly in the United
States. They can't but be aware that its
publication in any of the Government or land
lord papers would fail to produce any effect
among League sympathizers, except to give
rion of the enemy: and they are also aware of
the impossbility of getting it published in any
paper which is in harmony with the League.
In short, it is believed they consider the Irish
man the only medium which is at all available
for them, and only because its proprietor is
very impecunious, and, as some say, not over
scrupulous.
shall anxiously await your reply, and will
make no move in the matter till l hear from
you. l am, dear Mr.. Egap, faithfully YOURS,
RICHARD PIGoTT.
To this letter Mr.. Egan replied shortly,
Thanking Mr. Pigott for the information
conveyed and saying there could be only
one course open to them, namely, to reject
the offer. The following is Mr.. Pigott's re-
sponse:
LITTLE BOLDER
DUBLIN, March 9, 1881.
My DEAR Mr.. EGAN-I was glad to get
your note of the 9Th inst, as thought you had
decided to not take any notice of my letter, and
was about to take a step which could not