Jerilderie Letter, p.36

Although Ned Kelly was eventually tried as a murderer, in this section of the letter he paints himself as a man who simply wants to end the injustice of his exile. He also indicates that the police knowingly turned a blind eye to what he saw as Constable Fitzpatrick's misdeeds at the Kelly household.

 

Created 1879. Manuscript: letter.

 

Accession number: MS 13361

 

From the State Library of Victoria's Manuscript Collection.

 

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Transcript

 

that never failed to peg out anything they came in contact with and Fitzpatrick knew the weight of one of them only too well, as it run against him once in Benalla, and cost me two pound odd as he is very subject to fainting. As soon as I shot Lonigan he jumped up and staggered some distance from the logs with his hands raised and then fell he surrendered but too late I asked McIntyre who was in the tent he replied no one. I advanced and took possession of their two revolvers and fowling-piece which I loaded with bullets instead of shot. I asked McIntyre where his mates was he said they had gone down the creek, and he did not expect them that night he asked me was I

Ned Kelly's Jerilderie letter