HC Deb 08 June 1868 vol 192 cc1229-30
SIR FREDERICK HEYGATE

said, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether there is any troth in the statements, copied from the Weekly News newspaper by the Irish correspondent of The Times of the 1st of June to the effect that the Crown Solicitor, Mr. S. L. Anderson, offered John P. Murray £100 sterling with a Government situation in Ireland or the Colonies, provided that he would give such information as would convict Colonel Nagle and the other prisoners of the so-called Jackmel Expedition?

THE EARL OF MAYO

replied, that there was no truth in the statement referred to. It having, however, been made upon oath before a public functionary at New York, he wished in justice to Mr. Anderson to read a letter which that gentleman had addressed to him. It was as; follows:— Law Department, Dublin Castle, May 30, 1868. My Lord,—Referring to the article in this days's Nation newspaper, in which appears a copy of an alleged affidavit of one John P. Murray, alias John Cade, recently a prisoner in Kilmainham Gaol, stating that previously to his release I offered him £100, with a Government situation, provided he gave such information as would convict Colonel Nagle and others, I beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of his Excellency, that one of those 'Jackmel' prisoners who were arrested in Dungarvan gave his name as John Cade, and was discharged on the 3rd of March last, having signed a paper expressing his regret for having been engaged ' in the treasonable expedition commonly known as the Jackmel Expedition,' and undertaking not to join in future in any treasonable proceedings against the Queen; that I never had an interview with this prisoner, that I never to my knowledge spoke to him, that I never directly or indirectly made any proposal to him to become a witness, and that I never offered any prisoner or any other person £100 or any other sum, or any inducement whatever, provided he gave such information as would convict. Colonel Nagle or any other prisoner, or provided he would give evidence against any person. I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's obedient Servant, SAMUEL LEE ANDERSON, The Right Hon. the Chief Secretary, &c., Dublin Castle. Appended to that was a declaration signed by the prisoner, wherein he entered into a solemn engagement not to take part in any treasonable proceedings in future against the Queen, and also admitted that he did engage in that piratical enterprise known as the Jackmel Expedition. He could only add that in this instance the clemency of the Crown had been very ill-requited by a pardoned prisoner, who immediately upon his arrival in Now York had engaged in so gross an act of perjury.