Year: 1877

er of the light as John Secor, an in
valid gentleman seeking a restora-
tion of his health, and the recreation
of fishing and hunting. Here, too,
he parted with his guides from New
York, closing his contract with them
at that place.


Here Tweed was Joined by the
person who is known as ''Hunt" in
the reports of his subsequent arrest.
This man was a Florida guide, and
with him Tweed spent long time
in the interior, camping out, hunt
ing and fishing. Subsequently he
returned to st. Augustine, which
place he left in a fishing smack for
Cuba, and he and his companion
Hunt-landed ten miles outside the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The
remainder of the story is devoted to
an account of Tweed's adventures in
Cuba, his subsequent sailing for
Spain, the arrest at Vigo, and his re-
turn to the United States.


TwEED's LETTER TO CHARLES O'coN-


OR.


Appended to the above story is
the following letter:


LUDLOW STREET JAN, Dec. 6, 1876.
To Charles o. Conor, Esq:


SR-I take the liberty of addressing you
this letter, in view of the fact that YOUR
position as counsel, designated by the
State authorities, in my matters, has pro-
fessed solely the public good, regardless Of
any factions or personal interest. Hereto
fore l have met my troubles with every re-
source at my disposal. Possibly, in q mis-
taken sense of duty, have stood up too
long to shield others as well as myself,
bearing such losses and punishment as
we're meted ont TO my transgressions and
my mlsfortunes. 1t was truly more inter
est Of others than in my own, that htiga-
tion and resistance were prolonged. View
ing the manner Of my return to the wards
Of this prison, and realizing the tsunts in
the city, State and nation, which / am
brought here to confront, it will not,
hope, seem to be a presumption or insin-
cerity in me to say that am indeed over
whelmed, and that all further resistance
being hopeless / have none now to make,
and only seek the shortest and most eff
cient manner in which may make an un-
qualified surrender. 1t is not my purpose
to dispute or appeal, or futher resist the
suits which you have against me in the
name Of the State and people. l propose
forthwith to place at your disposal full
surrender Of all / have left of property or
effects, and to respond at once to such an
examination in this connection as may as
sure you and the public of the good faith
of this assignment, as well as show the en-
tire amount and disposition of all l have
possessed, so far as you may wish it to be
detailed.


1 am an old man, greatly broken in
health, cast down in spirit, and can no
longer bear my burden. To mitigate the
prospect of hopeless Imprisonment, which
must speedily terminate my life, / should,
it seems to me, make any sacIihce or ef-
fort. During the early stages of the suits
and proceedings against me l was ready to
make restitution and reparation, as far as
in my power. ENHANCEMENT with the in
terest and counsel Of others defeated this.
l regret that my means have now become
so utterly inadequate. would not make
a futile offer, if had not some assurance
through your published statements that
the vindication of principle and the pros
pect of permanently purifying the public
service are the objects you have in view as
being more desirable than the recovery Of
money. If in any manner you may see fit
to use me in such connection, shall be
only too glad to respond, trusting implic-
itly in your high reputation and character.
ask to make only single observation
not as regards myself, but wherever Others
may be concerned. Leaving my personal





est test of examination an publicity,
would hope to have any matters affecting
other persons restricted to your private
knowledge and discretion. Knowing as
you do every material fact already, it
would be unavailing for me further to re-
sist or withhold any details you may de-
mand. only ask in qualification of the
utmost frankness that your more reliable
the publication and use of such matters
only as may be necessary for the ends you
wish to advance.


remain, very truly yours,


WILLIAM NJ. TWEED.


It is understood that Mr.. 0'Conor
sent this letter to Attorney General
Fairchild with his verbal recon-
mendation, and that Mr.. O'ConOr
also signifies his intention to termi-
nate his more active connection with
the ring prosecutions, now practical
ly ended. Acting upon this view,
the Attorney General has himself
made several visits to Tweed, and
has carried out examinations of his
effects, and especially of the infor
nation which Tweed had to turn
over. A large pile of checks, vouch-
ers, and evidence is accordingly in
the control of Attorney General
Fairchild.