ESCAPE OF THE FENIAN PRISONERS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 177, 18 August 1876, Page 8

ESCAPE OF THE FENIAN PRISONERS.

(Prom the ' New York Herald.') It is now orer four years ago since a lady in this city, who is now dead, and who was a devoted friend of the prisoners, received a letter from one of them, asking that something might be done for them, and pointing out the fact that a rescue was^possible. The letter was, of course, smuggled out of the prison. From this point a regular correspondence was started, and, after careful inquiry, it was found that the prisoners could all be rescued if money eDough could be got to defray necessaiyf expenses. How to get that money without exposing the object was the problem to be solved, and considerable difficulty was experienced in procuring it. It would be the easiest thing in the world to raise money f»r such a purpose among the Irish here ; but such an enterprise demands the most absolute secrecy, and it would ruin the project to confide it to too many people. Finally, after long delays, a plan of raising the money was hit upon, and two years ago the movement was definitely started. How the money was raised, who subscribed it, or how it was applied, I am not prepared to make public just now, but a time will come when it can be done, and the facts will redound more to the credit of the Irish revolutionary party than anything that has occurred for many years. Thousands of men knew of the fact that an attempt was to be made, though the details were known to a very limited number — possibly fifteen at the outside. A great deal had to be risked, and many personal sacrifices had to be made by individuals, but finally the thing was got into shape ; and over twelve months ago a gentleman, eminently qualified to carry out the enterprise, started from here for Australia, and commenced operations. It was a peculiarly difficult and delicate task, and required a man of unusual ability and tact to perform it. The prisoners were often separated from each other and scattered among gangs of convicts through the bush, working at various kinds of employment, and were liable to be changed at any moment to another working party, or sent to the chief convict establishment at Freemantle. It was a very difficult matter to arrange everything so that a simultaneous dash might be made by all the prisoners, and that they might all be safely conducted to the point of embarkation. Fortunately there are no troops in Western Australia, but there is a strong police force, and every colonist is certain of a large reward for the capture of an escaped prisoner. The escape could only be effected by having a good horse for every man, and supplying him with a respectable suit of civilian clothes, amd a good revolver ; and as most of the Fenian prisoners are old cavalrymen, they could very well take care of themselves if once together and well mounted and armed. The great difficulty would be in procuring a ship to take them, and in making connection with her ; but fortune seems to have favoured the prisoners this time in sending an American ship just at the right time, whose captain was willing to take the passengers on board. That portion of the story, of course, can only be told when the escaped men arrive here ; but you may rest assured the whole affair was the result of a well-contrived plan, for the agent who had charge of the affair is a man of extraordinary ability and of infinite resource. Besides that, all those associated with him, and under his orders are men of pluck and coolness, who were selected for peculiar fitness for the work required of them, and they are all veteran revolutionists. Even if Mr. Disraeli had consented to proclaim an amnesty at the time the Queen was proclaimed Empress of India, he would have been too late, ior I feel certain the work was already done about the 27th of April. The cable was broken between Java and Australia, and this was taken by those in the secret as the signal that the work had been accomplished. This was done to prevent pursuit till the fugitives were beyond the leach of British authorities. Owing to the local circumstances, it must take a very long time to discover where a breach occurred in the cable near Australia, and the job was evidently done thoroughly for I notice that this is the first item of news that bas come by cable from Australia since 27th April. Then no date is mentioned for the occurrence, and the ship has probably half her voyage to th& United States performed by this time. This will do more to

stimulate Irish revolutionary work, and to restore the confidence of the Irish people in the revolutionary party than anything that has occurred for very many years* It is the first victory, and is a great blow to the prestige of England.