New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-11-18
RIGHTS Of American Citizens.

There are now in British sils in Ireland several
American Citizens held on suspicion without EVIL
dence Of crime being brought against them. There
are also some cases OF nsolcnce and insult TO the
nag OF the United States which ought not to be
oa.sed over i'm silence. TERgScE McMASUs re
Gently sentenced to be hanged and then cut into
quarters was taken from an American vessel by
British force while the stars and stripes hoated
above him. dragged to prison and sentenced to the
sanguinary doom referred TO. II that flag had not
been violated he would now be in this country
In several cases during the recent disturbances
IN Ireland British steamers pursued vessels out
10 sea to search for political refugees, flying from
the terrors Of bsrbarous brutal laws at home to n
land of hope and freedom here. We should like
70 have these cases fully investigated
But there are outrages committed, and being
committed on American citizens, the silence under
which we confess ourselves somewhat puzzled to
understand To two Of these cases we beg leave
TO call attention. 1t is no Imatter what the char.
aoter or influence OF the parties may be. II our
Institutions are what they pretend to be, they
should be the same for all, whether poor or rich
friendless or powerful. The feeling and action Of
our Government should be the same towards
RICHARD r. RYAN and JAMES bergen as If they
were HENRY CLAY and JoHS c. CALHoUs. Let
us consider this matter II in place OF being Ryan
and Bergen, they were Clay aud Calhoun or Cass
and Van Buren, would we permit them to be SO
used and yet they too are American citizens
RICHARD F. RYAN, lawyer in Cincinnati, hsv-
ing business to transact IN Ireland connected
with tho collection Of claims visited Washington
his passport as an American citizen, and pro-
oeeded to his business That he sympsthired
with Ireland for the wrongs inflicted on her by
England was nstural--wss in fact only to feel as
an American citizen must feel but he was found
in no open nor even private plan by which he
would forfeit his rights or finch from his duty as
an American citizen From the moment he ar.
rived in Ireland he was logged by spies and de
tectives till he was finally arrested and sent to
Dublin Castle, where he found his baggage had
been sent before him and searched. Nothing
however, was found in them reasonable or erimi
nal vet he was cast into Newgate. his passport
a. an American citizen disreg srded, and claim
set up by the British authorities, that he was a
British subiect-either on account Of his name, his
dialect or bis birth
October 10, he wrote to Mr.. BANCROFT, cur
Minister to Eng land, claiming the protection Of an
American citizen; but So yet he lies in loath
some prison, where for three months ON the mere
protext OF suspicion, British iasolenee has tram
PIED on American rights Were he beggsr and
an oatesst from society, every snew of the Amer
can arm should be stretched u It's utmost tension
for his protection.
We refer to but another instance. IANEs BER.
oES, native OF New Englsnd. and a citizen OF
New-fork, went to England some months ago.
visited Ireland, and was arrested without proof o,
crime. without even being proved guity Of the
rirtuc OF having conspircd TO overthrow the Ini.
putty o: British oppression in Ireland. He is
merely suspected Of being suspicious, is seized
dragged into prison, thrown into FltzgerSld's cell
in Newestc, where for months he has lain with
the priceless boon OF American Nativity and citi-
xenship trsmpled beneath the heel Of British
power and csnkins chains round Newgate for
the amusement Of Monarchy and It's mnions
while his wife is weeping for his absence over
the sick bed Of little daughter, both bathed in
tears st his absence and signing fer his retarn.
Soon after Mr. Berrens arrest he wrote 10 Mr..
Bancroft, and received the following answer.
(CeYy) LoNDo>, sept 70 ls4s.
SIR beg 10 acknowledge the receipt Of your letter
OF the 2st inst and in reply 10 inform you that ST my
request Mr.. Brosdhead had interview with one oi
the under secretaries OF with reference 10 yoer
detention in the Newgsle Dablin that have myself
several lines called the Foreign oaice and al the
Home Ofiee the subject ana tina; have also
addressed an Official note TO Her Msjesiys Principal
Secretary Of State Cor Foreign Affairs setting forth that
you American citizen born in New kngisnd that
you have wife and children In America dependent on
yourself Tor support that you were arrested IN Dublin