I feel tempted to add a word of a scene that intervened, in which I took a part.  When the sheriff recovered his self-possession, he ordered several to be arrested; among others, Mr. Meagher.  The officer who seized him acted rudely and violently, which led to further confusion, and the exchange of blows.  At last Mr. Meagher and myself were secured and removed to prison.  When order was restored, we were brought out before the court, and asked for an expression of regret.  I answered, that having heard Mr. Mitchel express, in the dock, sentiments in which I entirely concurred, I took immediate occasion to mark my most distinct and emphatic approval.  In doing this I had no intention of an affront to the court.  But as to retract, or regret, no punishment in the power of that or any other court to inflict, would compel me to do either one or the other.

Mr. Meagher repeated the same thing.  We were then reprimanded and sent back.  Soon after we were recalled, and upon motion of Mr. Dillon and Sir Colman O’Loghlen, on behalf of Mr. Meagher, who stated that he would express his regret for the contempt of court, but nothing else, we were both released, although I persisted in refusing even to join in the expression of regret made for but not by Mr. Meagher.

On the same day on which the above scene took place, John Mitchel was borne in irons from the land of his love, the wife of his bosom, and the children of his heart.

Immediately after, the council of the Confederation was reduced to twenty-one; and everything wore a sterner aspect, as if, whether they willed it or no, an imperious obligation required fulfilment at their hands.  The slight disunion, which the fate of John Mitchel created, between those who favoured and opposed his rescue, quickly disappeared, and both parties only emulated each other in the activity and earnestness of preparation.  Among the agencies of progress, suggested by the crisis, were two new journals—­the Felon, edited by John Martin and T.D.  Reilly, assisted by Mr. Brenan, and the Tribune, edited by Richard Dalton Williams and Kevin Izod O’Doherty, of which Mr. Savage and Dr. Antisell were joint proprietors, and to which they were joint contributors, with S.J.  Meany and myself.  The great object of the first was to follow in the footsteps of the United Irishman, and that of the latter was to urge the same principles upon a more republican basis.  The Felon soon acquired additional interest from the daring principles and extraordinary ability of Mr. James F. Lalor, who had become a joint contributor with the recognised editors.  Of the Tribune it would not become me to speak; perhaps no more is needed than that in the race to doom it was not outsped.

On the 8th of July, John Martin surrendered.  Messrs. Duffy and O’Doherty were arrested on the same evening, and Mr. Williams on the following morning.

Although the trials that followed did not take place until long after the events which form the principal subject of this narrative, a brief account of them will not be inappropriate here.