THE LAND END OF THE CONSPIRACY
For many weary months the reader has followed the fortunes of the
expedition by sea. It was at this point that Captain Anthony's
solicitude concerning the success of the conspiracy on land became
intense; so here seems a proper place to commence the recitation of
another part of the story.
And here we meet a man of whom it has been said that there is no more
romantic figure in the stormy history of modern Ireland. John J.
Breslin was selected to go to Australia and manage the land end of the
rescue.
Mr. Breslin was already a famous hero, and his burning love of country,
his chivalry and his bravery, were written in the hearts of Erin's sons
and daughters. He is described by one writer as "a tall, courtly man,
whose classical features, flowing white beard, and military bearing,
made him a striking personage wherever he went.
"His history reads like a chapter from the days of good King Arthur.
His name will, in time to come, start wonderful echoes among the
thousand hills of Ireland."
His bold and adroit rescue of James Stephens, the head centre of the
Fenian movement in Ireland, while the government was gloating over his
capture, startled the nations in 1865. Mr. Breslin was born in Drogheda
in 1835. His father was a County Tyrone man and subsequently removed to
Leinster. John received a good national school education and was always
studious and an undefatigable reader. Although he ever upheld the
views of the Nationalists, he had no connection with any organization
until 1865, when Stephens's reply to the magistrates after his arrest
confirmed him in the national faith.
Stephens had been engaged with the Irish patriots, Smith and
O'Brien, in 1848, and escaped to Paris after the miserable failure
of the insurrection at Ballingarry. For five years he plotted by
correspondence, and then the little coterie of exiles drew lots to see
which should return to Ireland to organize the new conspiracy. Stephens
was selected, and he made a house-to-house canvass of the Emerald Isle,
walking over 3,500 miles, reconnoitring the strongholds of Ireland,
sometimes disguised as a priest, sometimes as a beggar, and associating
with the people in their cabins and farmhouses.
Meanwhile tireless and faithful friends of Ireland in America were
working with similar purpose, and the result was the organization
known as "The Irish Republican Brotherhood," or "Fenians." More than
a million Irishmen in America, and half that number in Ireland, were
enrolled. At the head of the vast conspiracy was James Stephens. The
aim of the Fenian organization was the formation of an army to cope
with the army of England.
When the organization grew formidable, England determined to suppress
the brotherhood in Ireland, and through treachery and the employment of
spies the British government at length learned that Stephens was the
"head centre;" but so manifold were his disguises that the police were
baffled for a long time.
During his wanderings Stephens had married a beautiful Tipperary girl.
She was identified as Mrs. Stephens while at the head of the household
of a gentleman living in the suburbs of Dublin, whose name was presumed
to be Herbert. The house was surrounded one night and "Herbert," who
proved to be Stephens, was captured as he slept.
There was much rejoicing in England at the capture, and Stephens was
consigned to the Richmond bridewell, one of the strongest prisons in
Ireland. The ponderous iron door of his cell was secured with bars, and
it was on a corridor which was guarded by a second iron door, double
locked. There he was shut in and extraordinary precautions taken to
prevent his escape.
Mr. Breslin was at that time superintendent of the prison hospital. One
night he opened the door of Stephens's cell with a false key, placed
a loaded revolver in the fallen leader's hand, and led him forth to
freedom. Guards, heavily armed, were everywhere, but they were eluded,
and Stephens once more escaped to France.
[Illustration: JOHN J. BRESLIN
Who managed the land end of the Rescue]
The escape amazed England. It was long before suspicion fastened
upon Breslin. Then he came to America, and was for a while a railway
freight agent in Boston. Here he worked for a time, making few
acquaintances. "Few knew him," said O'Reilly, "and to few were shown
the culture and refinement behind the modest exterior. In thought and
appearance eminently a gentleman; in demeanor dignified and reserved;
in observance, rather distrustful, as if disappointed in his ideal man;
somewhat cynical, perhaps, and often stubbornly prejudiced and unjust;
a lover of and a successful worker in literature,--such is an outline
of a character that may indeed be called extraordinary."
In America Mr. Breslin soon became a powerful spirit in the
Clan-na-Gael, and the proposed expedition to rescue the political
prisoners in Australia was work for which his bold spirit hungered and
thirsted. His selection as the manager of the land end of the rescue
was equally as fortunate as that of his co-worker, Captain Anthony.
His associate was Captain Thomas Desmond, a Nationalist from the time
he could stand alone. Captain Desmond was born in Queenstown, but came
to this country in early childhood and was living in Los Angeles,
California, at this time.
Messrs. Breslin and Desmond sailed from San Francisco for Australia in
September, 1875. There they were to meet John King, a Dublin man, who
had lived in New South Wales for several years, and who had collected
about $3,500 for the rescue project.
Upon their arrival at Freemantle, Australia, in November, the men
separated and became ostensible strangers. Mr. Breslin assumed the
name of J. Collins, and posed as a man of wealth seeking investments.
His dignity and grace of manner enabled him to carry out the rôle with
success, and it was not long before he became a universal favorite.
The governor was attracted by the charm of his manner, and frequently
entertained him.
After visiting Perth, Mr. Breslin concluded that he would make
Freemantle his headquarters, and established himself at the Emerald
Isle Hotel. Desmond went on to Perth and found employment at his trade
of carriage-making.
Presently Mr. Breslin made the acquaintance of William Foley, a Fenian
who had once been a prisoner, and through him notified James Wilson of
his arrival and arranged for further communications. On one occasion
Mr. Breslin was invited to inspect the prison, "The Establishment,"
as they call it in the colony, and he was conducted through it by the
superintendent, Mr. Donan.
The Fenian prisoners were working on the roads by day, and after
much difficulty Mr. Breslin succeeded in talking over his plans with
Wilson. Then, inasmuch as the Catalpa was not expected before the last
of January, to avoid suspicion he took a trip inland, visiting Perth,
Guildford, York, Northam, Newcastle, and various smaller villages.
Then followed dull weeks of anxious waiting. About $4,000 in money
was brought by King, who passed as a gold miner, contributed by New
Zealand sympathizers, which proved timely at this crisis. Two other
agents of the revolutionary organization in Ireland, Denis F. McCarthy
of Cork, and John Durham, also appeared on the scene and volunteered
their assistance. They assumed the duty of cutting the telegraph wires
after the escape should be effected.
The prisoners were frequently shifted around, communication with
them was often difficult, and Mr. Breslin was as nearly distracted
as a cool-headed man could be. In March, the whaling bark Canton was
reported at Bunbury, and Mr. Breslin telegraphed the master to know if
he had any news of the Catalpa of New Bedford. He replied that he knew
nothing of her.
Mr. Breslin determined to go to Bunbury, and on the 6th of March left
for the town. There was no news, and he returned to Freemantle in a
small coasting vessel called the May.
At length, on the 29th of March, at 6.30 in the morning, there was
posted on the bulletin board at the telegraph office at Freemantle the
announcement of the arrival of the Catalpa at Bunbury.