The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-30
INTELLIGENCE BY THE MAILS,

OF the House Of Representatives OF the Ilth INST.
requesting HIM TO inform that body "whether he
has received any information that American cltI-
zens have been imprisoned, or arrested by British
authorities in Ireland !" the causes which led to
such arrests, and copies of all the correspondence
on the subject, transmitted a report from the Secre-
tary Of State, together with accompanying docu-
ments upon the subject The papers are very yolu-
minous, as the following list will show
Mr. Bancroft to Mr.. Buchanan, 2sth July, 1913, ex-
tract.
Mr. Brodhesd to same, (tvo enclosures ga August,
! copy.
Mr. Toucey to Mr. Bancroft, 4th Sept copy
Mr. Bancroft ia slr Buchanan, (two enclosuresJ 18th
September, extract
Same to same. (seveu enclosures) 22d Sept extract
Mr. buchanan to MIR. Bancroft, Zone enclosure) 2Teh
Mr. Bancroft to Mr.. Buchanan, -four enolosuresy
Goth Sept extract.
Same to same (two enclosurss) 9th October extract
Same to same, 10th October, extract.
Mr.. buchanan to Mr. Bancroft. 23d Oct, extract
Same to same, 2Sth Oct, extract.
! Nov, extract.
same 10 zane, 18th Nov extract
| Same to same, ed Nov extract
Same to same, LIST Dec extract.
MIR buchanan to Mr.. Bancroft, 18th Dec, extract.
The trst letter s an extract OF a commun C alton
from Mr.. bancroft, stating that the Habeas Corpus
Act had been suspended Tor ireland The second
| Is from Mr. Brodhead, Secretary of the United
States Legation, to Mr. Buchanan, enclosing a
note of Lord Palmerstons, together with coov
of a memorandum, drawn up by Mr. Redington
the Under Secretary tor Ireland, which contains
an account OF the circumstances under which i've
American citizens "were arrested, at Armagh, on
the 18th instant, (August) and discharged the
next day, after having been taken to Dublin, In
custody; and expressing the regret OF her Majes-
tvs government, at the unattended Inconvenience
to gentlemen merely travelling for their own law
full purpose. The enclosure states that the arrests
were made In consequence OF information received
by the Irish government, that considerable NUM-
Der OF citizens OF the United States, and others
from America, might be expected IN Ireland, as
agents tor the sympathisers, NC. NC. It's unne-
cessary to give the statement In full, as they were
arrested by mistake, and promptly released. We
may, however, mention that they were arrested
upon the oath OF a person who represented that he
had Just arrived from this country, and was as
suIed that they were veI'table 6 sympathlsers."
The next letter, dated the itiI OF September is
from Mr.. Toucey, Acting Secretary of State, IN
the absence of MIR, Buchanan, calling the atten-
ton OF Mr.. Bancroft, to &c the condition Of those
American citizens who have been arrested and
held for trial, under the charge OF seditlon or trea-
SON" The despatch goes on to state that the
department has no official knowledge of any arrests
having been made; but so much had TRANSFERRED.
through the public journals, as to induce belief
that such arrests had taken place.
If upon inquiry, 1t shall be ascertsined that any
such arrests have occurred, It viii be right aud the
duty of the governme mt TO that the persons arrest
ed have the full benefit of legal Defence nd 1t may be-
snd in the present instance is it's duty also to
pose its good oices in their behalf beyond the strict
limits of securing Tor them full and fair trial.
g 1t Ia the wish Of the President, and he insruots
YOU urge upon the Britt mt the
Of a magma niIpous and mercfu course towards Lross
who have been implicated in the late disturbances
in Ireland. The calsmities which have recently be-
faen her starving population by the dispen .ston OF
Providence in the destruction OF her crops the close
bonds Of sympathy between them and large ciass
who have removed and established thense psrma-
nenty in America; the national sympathy which has
been extensively manifested in acts Of charity and
good will towards the Irish people, and the s.ttsd
state Of SO large portion OF the civilized world,
stitute series Of exciting causes powerful as to
break to some extsnt should not have taken place
But the power Of the British government Is great
that 1t can well afford TO be magma uimous Perhaps
---i. -...-a W ..hs- --.i-~. M niv.r-
While the government Of the United States ,csis
right to interfere behalf of British subjects IL
braoed the case of citizens would be regarded
with particular favor. And should En- act OF grace
and pardon extended to our own citizens, be deemed
to carry along with IL tbs necessity similar favor to
British subjects in Ireland it IL believed that the ne
cessity would constitute objection to the easuIe
but would rebound to the honor OF Great Britain, In
the estimation of the vice and good In all ages
st the desire of the Resident that this be
presented to Her Maestys govern with great de-
LEGACY, and pressed by ell the considerations that may
occur to you, and appropriately belong to it,"
Then follows an extract from letter TO Mr.. Bu,
chanan from Mr.. Bancroft, enclo ing an act Of
Parliament OF the 18th of July, 1913, empowering
the Irish authorities To apprehend and detain till
the first OF March, lSi9, any suspected persons.
Also stating that several Americans had been
arrested under the law In question. Also note to
Fiscount PalmerstoD calling attention to Mr..
James Bergen's arrest, stating that he IS AmerI-
can citizen. born In New England asking to bo
informed OF the causes OF his arrest and request
ing permission for him to leave her Majesty do
minlons.
Several letters have fallen from Mr. bancroft to
the BRUSH authorities, asserting the innocence OF
the parties detained of any attempt 10 disturb the
peace, and with acknowledgements from Lord
Palmerston OF the receipt OF the commune atoms.
An answer from Mr.. i incroft to the Acting So
cretary OF state letter conveying the Presidents
desire that nothing should be lett undone to pro-
cure the release of any American citizen detained
in custody, &c. MIR. Bancroft states that he had
already, presuming on the wishes of the Pre- sident,
carried ont every part OF the instructions relating
to American citizens. He continues-''I have
happily thus tar, as the annexed copies OF letters
indicate, not been required to plead for an act of
grace, but have been able to stand on the better
ground of a demand Tor Justice
A good deal Of delay was experienced in pro-
curing definite answer from Lord Pamerston;
and on the 9th October Mr.. Bancroft writes that
he has just received an answer from Lord
Palmerston dated tie 10th September. This
letter states that g authentic information reached
Her Maestys government and the Lord Lieu
tenant OF ireland, as well from the United
States from other quarters, showing that
Mr.. bergen was concerned In reasonable prac-
tees in connection with the lac attempted out
break IN Ireland" &c. With reference TO Mr..
II. f. Ryan, his EXcelency the Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland entertained doubt OF his being guilty
OF the charges brought against him. "lt has also
been shown TO the satisfaction of the Lord Iieute-
nar,, that Mr.. Ryan is subject of her Majesty"
1t then proceeds 10 justify the measures which
have been taken TO arrest suspicious persons ar
riyIng IN Ireland fromihc United States, upon the
ground ofthe sympathsing meetings. and assoca-
tons got up in New York and other places. IL
supeTcilously adds
"Her M9jesty's government well kno wing the consti
tutional difficulties OF the government Of the aited
States aud WINGED that the President has poyed
20 the utmost the very limited within his power
30 check and discountcnance the proceedings shove
me toned have not pressed the government of the
United States with repress ntatons sgaust state OF
thing. which, under Other circumstances would
scarcely have been compatible with the continuance
Of friendly relations between tho two governments.
Bat then, the other hand, the G,vernmen. Of the
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