The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-20

Measures were adopted TO remove the obstacle that
detention occasioned. Mr.. Seely's petition states
that, at the time, he was ignorant of the means en-
ployed; but he sta 'es WIN he ascertained subse-
quently to be the f. cts. II seems that Polar was
not taken out of prison at Bellevue by writ OF ha-
beds corpus or other legal process, nor by aay le
gal judicial mandate or order, or permission, nor
by any authority of the President Of the United
States in pursuance of any extradition treaty; but
he was forcibly, and against his consent, taken
from the prison by certain persons, some federal
officers pretending to act officially, and was delv
cred TO the Dutch Minister, on board a steamer ly
ing near the prison, and Immediately carried on
board fast sailing pilot boat In the river, which
vessel was forthwith, in great haste, towed by the
steamboat, past this city to sea, and thus transport
ed to Holland. This occurred in the State of
New York-nay in the very heart of this city. OF
what worth are our constitutional provisions as to
personal liberty-of what value is the boosted writ
Of habeas corpus, if these things can be done with
| mpunity Mark Polar expressly refused to re-
ceive the Dutch pardon when about TO be carried
off, The expectation was by violence and in de-
fance Of our laws, and was an outrage for which
the Dutch government should atone. Those indi-
viduals concerned in it should also be made to ac-
count, according to law, for the enormity. The
abduction of Rey by the Spanish consul at New
Orleans last year, was properly resented by Presi
dent Taylor, who constrained the Captain General
OF Cuba TO send back Rey, unframed, to the ju-
risdiction from which he had been illegally taken.
The guilt of POLAR, and of Rey, does not in any
degree affect the case, and cannot be urged by
those who abducted them as any palliation of the
insult TO eur government, or as any excuse for the
outrage upon our laws. The enormiy of the out.
rage in Polari's case is increased by the "means"
adopted TO effect his transporton. When we say
this we do not refer to the pursued with re-
spect to the REIMBURSEMENT of the State or federal
criminal prosecution ganst him, but to his being
taken from prison in the way he was and the parti-
cpation of federal officers in the act, and to their
abuse of the law colore o6Tcu. Mr.. Seely states,
on page 20 and Fl of his petition, the aforesaid
me ans" devised and used by the Dutch Minister
and the officers Of the United States.
Polar was deceived by the Dutch government.
The proposed pardon was rusc and deception.
He was never allowed to return to this country
but it is believed, was capi.ally executed, or died
in prison in Holland. Previous to his abduction,
police officer of this city, in the employ of the
Dutch government, obtained his signature, while in
prison, TO letter addressed TO the Prince and
Princess of Orange accepting their offered pardon,
ard reques sting TO be allowed TO go TO Holland bat
Polar, when about 10 be carried off, Jas is expressly
stated by Mr.. Seely, unequivocally declined ac-
cepting the conditional pardon offered, and which
Mr.. Seely states, "was to be allowed before the
attempt should be made to take him! Why, if
he agreed TO go, was the extraordinary despatch
and secrecy employed why the haste in speeding
him OIL TO sea in pilot boat towed by a steamer
IL he was taken with his consent, these circum-
stances are unaccountable. We recollect the same
prelence was made in Rsy's case. What influence
deferred the administration in power, when the
abduction took place, from resenting the outrage,
we cannot divine. Ii is barely possible they
were ignorant Of the occurrences. II may be
that the facts now disclosed by Mr.. Seey, re-
speeding the participation Of certain officers of the
federal government hers influenced the sup
preston Of all notice OF the case. Mr.. Buchanan,
when Secretary of State, we are gratitied to see,
by the published document, took proper view of
the indgniy offered TO us, and we have confidence
now that the facts respecting Polari's abduction
are fully discovered. they will be made the basis
OF proper communication IN the Dutch aa..-~
menf, demanding a,onement for that indignity.
Mr.. seely, after the abduction of POLAR, went
10 Holland, TO procure payment of his demand
In our judgment the conduct of the Dutch govern
ment 1--WE mean the King and the Prince of Orange)
towards him was utterly disreputable to them.
Instead of extending towards him good feeling for
his devoted attention to their interests and mani
Testing spirit of justice, they evaded, procras-
tinated, delayed, and triled with him and finally
added insult 10 injury, by offering him about
$500, being less than his necessary expenses
at the Hague, while prosecuting his claim. When
the great importance of the service rendered is con-
sidered-the property recovered, chiefly through
MIR. Seely's agency, being upwards of million
ct dollars intrinsic value, and (being crown jew
els OF much greater worth to the Dutch govern
ment and when, too, the character of the heir ap-
parent TO the Dutch throne was deeply involved
IL was TO be anticipated that their royal and serene
hiehresses would have displayed some liberality
in compensating their chosen legal adviser We
venture TO say that one hundred thousand dollars
would not have been an unreasonable sum for him
TO have charged, and that the king and prince
would have consulted their good name and fame
by promptly paying such charge, without cavil or
pOs'Ponement. Mr.. seely offered to leave the
amount TO be paid to the arbitrament of disinte-
rested, honorable men but the Dutch refused his
offer. The whole course pursued towards him was
not merely Liberal, but was decidedly shabby
such conduct TO a creditor would blast the reputa-
iaiion Of any merchant, in any country and, when
the facts are known in HOLLAND, we should not be
surprised Il there should be found enough Dutch
merchants, Of sufficiently elevated principles, to
rsise the money by private subscription, and re-
deem the honor Of their country, though they may
not be allie to save the credit of the king and
Prince. The exposure OF this transaction, we doubt
no', vii deeply mortify the Emperor Of Russia
end the royal family Of Sweden, which has be-
Gene allied 10 the Prince and Princess of Orange.
u The debt remains unpaid. the government Of the
United States have duty to fulfil to its citizen,
thos ~rcnged. which viii obtain payment The
Aw Of nations fully recognizes the right and duty
q government 10 protect ts citizens from the in