The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-07

The Liberation or the American Prisoners In Ireland
We begin the publication, this morning. of the inter-
esting correspondence had between the British govern
and that of the United States upon this subject and
commend the whole of to the attention OF our read
Every candid mind must admit, upon the perusal OF
tespeciay of the letter of Nj Bancroft under date oil
November 10Th, and those of Mr. Buchanan under date
of October 23d and 2Sh and of December sththat
government and minister in London have, through
out the whole transaction, acted with judcious prompt
ness. energy, and decision Their complete success in
eectins the Liberation of our citizens, under the ccum-
stances of the case reflects the highest credit upon the
spirit and ability which characterized their efforts
II must not be forgotten that the Irish government, in
mprsoning these citizens, had warrant of law to back
them--a law which Mr. Bancroft and Mr. Buchanan
properly characterize thoroughly arbitrary and suit
terly despotc"-a law which, deemed TO authorize
specially harsh proceedings towards call persons coming
from America, nothing in the Justify to Amer
lean eyesa law which, in the disturbed state OF
Ireland, and without regard to the order of August I'd
issued in pursuance of it, have carried repres-
sve proceedings almost to their last limits under
stutional government-yet. still, admitted statute
law of the land. In pursuance of this law--not in
avoidance or violation of it--Mr Ryan certainly,
and perhaps MIR. Bergen, were arbitrarily and un-
Justly. but not illegally imprisoned Their prompt
release in this state OF facts is striking proof of the
respect with which the representations of minister
and his active interference in the matter, regarded
by the British authorities. The letters of Mr. Bancroft,
and of Mr. Buchanan to which we have specially refer
red will be found 10 present in most able manner and
in the trues light the doctrines which the
,,o Nd ,Jare
will Judge for themselves Of the spirit displayed in the
letter of Lord Pamerston which, while refusing the re-
lease of the prisoners attempts explain and justify the
despotc and arbitrary course pursued by the British
government in their arrest and detention To us, its
statements seem present the action Of that government
in no enviable light.
In connexon with this subject, cannot but observe
that while the fierce party spirit OF the wings of the
House OF Representatives is now, after 80 long delay
attacking the President just at the close OF his admins
traton, in relation to those military contributions which
transferred part the burden of the late to
N.Y. and thus powerfully FASTENED honorable peace
while the wings are this moment doubtless trumpng
upa bitter and vindctve report this subject, to
company the Presidents message, and thus to place
record just the present Executive goes out of power
4 series of charges which all the party violence of his
cannot torture into truth, or vindcae before
the great tribunal of public opinion; while the OPP
position taking this most factious course against the
efforts OF the administration to sustain the honor OF our
country and its in foreign war, we lay before our
readers in this official correspondence and in the recent
ly ratified postal conventions two more proofs OF the un
sleeping vigilance and the untiring energy with which
the executive department of the government has watch
ed over and sustained tho prosperity and rights of the
country in all its interests, both at home and abroad