New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-15
PARNELDS LETTER IN COURT.
HOW "THE TINES SECURED ITS IRISH
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE newspapers SOLICITOR TEsTIFTEs BE
FORE THE CoMNrIssION-CoMPARI
MR. PARNEIL'S SIGNATURES.

MR.. PARNELL ) SIGNA
London. Feb 14.-Mr. soames, solicitor for " Tho
Times testified before the Pa nell Commission to-day
that he visited Dublin in May, 1858, in quest Of
evidence At the offices OF Alexander Morphy Crown
solicitor for Kerry he had an interview with per
son who introduced to him as a former employe
tE the Office Of the League, and who produced slip
bearing the signature Of Miss Anna Parnell speci
mems of Patrick Esans handwriting and bundle
Of documents, which the witness inspected at length
lie copied some of these documents and made notes
Of others. Witness arranged thar the documents
should be brought to London. and they were brought
here Whitmonday, 1883, and embodied in an afii-
davit produced during the trial of the suit Of ODon-
nell against Walter for libel.
The witDesS about to put IN evidence another
letter to which, It tppeared. official names were
attached but Sir Charles RUSSELL Of counsel for the
Parnellites objected
Attorney General webster. for "The Times,' ar
gued that the letter admissible. It bad been
obtained with other documents from Mr. Phillips
Sir Charles Russell said this was the first time he
had heard Phlipss name. He did not know Mr..
Phillips
Attorney General Webster said he regretted that
he had mentioned the name, but IL had been proved
that Mr.. Phillips was the accountant of the league.
The letter. with other genuine League documents,
had been obtained from perfectly proper custody.
The court refused to admit the letter in evidence
Mr. Soames. continuing, said he was first consulted
November the beginning Of December, 1856. He
produced five letters including the letter far
smiIe of which printed in The Times.' AT
torncy General Webster said tho letters had boen pho
tographed. At Chief Justice Hannens request he
handed the photographs to the bench.
Mr. soamcs said HAT Mr.. Macdonald. the manager
Of The Times" handed him the letters. Witness
did know then from what source they had been
obtained lie afterwaId ascertancd from whom they
had come The letters submitted TO an expert
In April, 1887. Before that genuine specimens OF
Parnell's writing were collected, and other specimens
have since been collected.
At Attorney General Websters request the witness
submitted genuine specimens of Mr.. Parnelrs sigma
ture.
Soames said he had obtained specimens Of the writ
ing of Henry Campbell Mr.. Parnels secretary. He
had no means Of judging who wrote the letter, fac
smile of which was published. When the fac-simile
appeared in The Tines Mr.. Inglis, the expert asked
him to get further specimens of Campbcls writing.
Witness here produced further specimens Of Mr..
Parnell's signature, which he had obtained since the
fac-simile published including letters and sum
monses which Parnel signed as magistrate orders Of
admission TO the House Of Commons, a paragraph
written for newspaper and the Klma!nham Jail
book which contained nine signatures, the first writ
ten in December, 1881, and the last in May 1882.
Witness advised by Inglis before the fac-simile
published.
ngls thought that the letter which appeared in The
Tines was genuine. soames said he believed the
body Of the letter in Campbers writing. while
the signature was Pamelrs. When he discovered the
Parnen letters he also across documents which
he supposed to be Egan's Three Of Egan's letters
were found IT Careys house, who're two letters m
Campbelps writing were also discovered. Witness
produced these letters, together with other specimens
of Egan's writing.
At this point Sir Charles Russell said eve are
only able 10 give these documents a cursory glance.
The Court must not assume that all will be mques-
toned"
Attorney General Webster rejoined that he did not
suppose that Sir Charles Russell would admit the gen.
uineness Of the letters.
Soames further testified that Richard Pigott gave
the Parne letters to Houston the secretary Of the
Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union, who handed them 70
Macdonald.
The witness next produced letter from Byrne re
ferTing 10 a check for G1OO which Mr. Parnen prom
ised him when he suddenly went to France in sepiem'
ber 1881 Witness said he had employed Detective
Moser to 60 America to trace the source of certain
documents which known to be forGercs. He
never used these documents in any way. They were
not received through PgCott
On cross-eXamnadon the witness said be was not
consulted regarding the publication Of the articles on
" PameiSm and CTime.' though he knew they were
being prepared early in 1857 MI flanagan. the son
Of an Irish Judge, co-operatcd with gentleman on
the StdT OF Inc lIlNce' III preparing inc Hi'ltS.
ID 10 January 1888 twelve letters had been obtained
from Piggott Later, more letters written by Egan,
O'Keny and Davitt obtained making a total OF
seveneon. he didn't know precisely what was paid
for the letters.
The first payment Of 1000 pounds was made 10
Houston II WaS partly for his expenses in going
10 America and partly for IN" payment of Dr. Mcguire
and other assistants. The successive subsequent pay
ments 10 Houston 200 80, 40. 10. $50, 550 342
and 100 pounds Witness paid M9Scr about 1000,
Kirby $50 and another agent named Thompson, 300
pounds.
Piggou, who Is a Catholic. was formerly the pro
prietOr Of newspapers which were published in the
Office in which United Ireland is now printed. When
they ceased to exist United Ireland" started Dr.
Mcguire, who is also Catholic, IS Fellow OF Trinity
College Dublin.