The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-11-21
AMERICAN PRISONERS AT VAN
DIEMENS LAND.
New York, Nov. 7 1914.

To the Editor Of the Woodstock .4gs:
SlR:-l propose to trouble you with the
performance of what ! conceive an act of
benevoence-but one for which | can
promise you no other reward than that
which your mind can furnish by the con-
temptation of an effort for the relief Of a
number of felon fellow-countrymen, to
which you will give assistance by the
publication of this, and some other short
communications, which will be presented
to you, in the columns of your journal,
1t is matter well known to the public
that of the American citizens who were
captured by the British forces in Canada
in 1888, a considerable number were con-
demned for their participation in the civ
il connections in those provinces, and
transported to Van Dicmen's LandTHIR.
TY-NlNE Of those unfortunate men,
(who have been spared by DEATH have
been pardoned by her Majesty's Govern
ment, and FORTY-TWO according to
the authentic information, are still de-
tanned as convicts, under the original
sentence of transportation for life. Some
thing of the character of the remaining
AZ captves may be understood by the fol.
lowing copy of letter recently received
by me-
PosT-OFFIcE, WESTMINSTER, VI. !
SEPTEMBER 5, 1914.
"General Sathrlond;-DEAR SIR
From the New York Express | learn that
you are interesting yourself in behalf Of
the American prisoners at Van Diemens
Land Riley Whitney. one of the prison
ers, was native of this town. If you
deem it advisable for his friends in this
place 20 petition for his discharge, please
send me blank, with instructions, and
will give you such auxiliary aid as am
able, in the humane enterprise. Poor
Whitney is well disposed man--but ex-
ceedngly ignorant, can neither read or
write. His ignorance may give him the
appearance Of obstinacy; but after all he
has given abundant proof of flial at
lection in the support he has given to his
widowed mother. At the time of his
captivity Whitney was residing in North
ern New York, where his mother now
lives "Yours respectfully,
PLINY Stafford, p. NJ.
The information requested shall fur
nish forthwith; but this had not now been
necessary if the editors of the public
newspapers had acted with their usual
liberality in giving publicity to the infor-
nation which has been offered them
The "officlal notice" referred to in the an
nexed communication from the Depart.
ment OF State, was not to my knowl-
edge, rcpublished in any ofthe newspa-
pers of the country. The list of the
names of those who have received par
dons has also been published in such a
defective manner as to leave the friends
ofthe capiives in an uncertainty as to the
condition Of the unfortunate men in whose
+ fate they are interested, which induces
me to request the publication ofth an
nexea, for their information and satistac-
lion. Very Respectfully,
TIL. JEFFERSON SUTHERLAND.
| DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, 18th Oct. 1874
SrR:-Your letter of the 9TH instant to-
gether with the accompanying paper, has
been received; and in accordance with
your request, | transmit to YOU a list,
believed to be correct, of the names of
the American citizens transported to the
British penal colonies for participating in
the political disturbances in Canada in
1888, ofwhose pardon notice has reached
this department.
As to the procedure for effecting the
: release ofthe American prisoners remain
ing at Van Diemens Land, | must refer
you to the official notice published in the
"Madsonian" newspaper Of the 98th Of
February last.
am, Sir respectfully,
Your obedient Servant.
RICHARD k. GALE,
.act. Secy.
Til. JEFFERSON SUTHERLAND, ESQ.
Nep York.
} Lisr Of the names Of the American