The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-11-06
Letter from smith o'brien.

a COpy oI tne IoiOWiDg lcller mas Deen
received at the Colonial Office from MIR.
Smith O'Brien:
Darlington Probation Station, Maria Is
VAN DIEMAN's LAND, Feb %, 1880.
"My DEAR PORTER: would have WRITTEN
you sooner i'll had had any thing agrcea.
BILE to communicate, but have been un-
willing to gricye you by telling you that
your worst anticipatinns with respect to
the sort Of treatment which might posi-.
bly, experience in this colony have been re-
allied During period of about two
months suffered as much as the in
humanity of the Governor of this Col
ony, Sir William Dennson, aided bv
the CONTROLLER General. Dr. Hampton, could
inilict. My health at length began to
give way SO rapidly under the solitary
confinement to which, during this peri
cd was consigned, that the doctor OF the
station became seriously alarmed, and his
representations produced such relaxation
oi the re'rictioDs under which was placed
US had the effect OF restoring my strength.
shall abstain from distressing you w.;h
detailed narrative Of my experience OF
OF The magnanimity OF British luncttona.ics
as illustrated by my treatment in this is
land. shall rather impress YOU with a
pcrsuas'on-happilv well founded.-thar /
bear, with wonderful checrfuncss, all the
prIvatIons to which am subject. Every
other source Of suffering appears 10 me To
he so insignificant compared with that ol
separation from my family that reconcile
myself I" the minor veXatIons incidental to
my position as to matters OF comparative
indifference. Yet, though could terminate
The pans ot this separation, hv allowing
Mrs OBrien TO come 10 Van D.cmen's
Lahh, cei more strongly ,han ever thai
II would be the greatest injustice 10 my
children 10 bring them to 4 country The
present condition Of which will not trust
myself to describe. ], therefore, can see
no definite termination of the calam;,es nl
my lot, except that which YOU and other
friends took SO much pains to avert, The
dcliverance which will be effected hy
death; and ] confess that tIclihcra,oiv
think that my death would hc more i.lvan
,ageons TO my children than that they
should follow me 10 this colony.
IL am afraid that some OF nv fellow ex-
lles,ihough enjoying thesrompars, ispesiff.
crty wl:;ci "a ,.ckst- of-Jeayee conitrs lind
their lot little more enviabi, than mnc, aud
The more reflect upon the circumstance of
their position the more do rojoice that I
have kept myselfunleitored By any engage
mcnt, even though my resolution in this
regard very nearly cos; Inc my lie Con.
sidercd as a prison, Maria Island is as lit.
tie Objectionable as any spo, tl,a, could be
chosen. The scenery is very picturesque.
and the local officers have been as kind as
they could venture To be under the inhu-
man regulations laid down for their ruid
ance ny the Controller General. am.
therefore, rather sorry to learn that this sta .
ton will soon be broken up. Upon the
abandonment OF this station shall proba
bly, be removed to Port Arlhur-a change
which will, fear. he productive of nei,hc
bcneii, nor satisfaction 10 me. Tell nv
Limerick friends that my recollection OF
their kindness is rs vivid as if | were siilll
their representative, and believe me your
very obliged and attached friend.
WILLIAM S. O'BRIEN.