Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-24
PETITION TO LIBERATE IRISH ExILEs

The Delegation Of the Friends Of the Irish exiIes.
y BRIES, MEAGHER, and MITCHELL arrived here
yesterday in the second train Of ears, at about half
past twelve o'clock, having been detained two hours
on the way IN consequence of some unexpected de-
rangement OF the cars. The delegation from Balt~
more was quite large one numbering we have been in
formed upwards Of two hundred They were met at the
cars by committee and conducted to the National Hor
tel whence, after three O'clock attended by large
accession Of smpathzng friends of our own city they
walked in procession to the Presidents House
The East Room being the only in the Presidential
Mansion any thing like capable Of accommodating so large
deputation, the PRESIDENT met them there On enter
ing the room and the preliminary introducons over Dr.
CHAsTy of Baltimore, the part of the delegation from
that city, addressed the President at length the sub
ject of their visit and presented petition, very
ousy signed praying the microscopy intervention of this
Government with that of Great Britain remit the fur
ther execution of the of the e1es and grant
them their liberty Mr. McGHEE Editor Of the Boston
Celt also presented petition from Boston and the
neghborng towns and villages which FIVE thou
sand signatures appended He also addressed the
President with much feryor, eloquence, and ability.
To these addresses the PRESIDENT replied as fol-
lows:
''SIR: 1t is quite natural that natives of Ireland
siding in the United States should feel deep sympathy
those OF tnelr c0untrymen who
have been condemned to long imprisonment in distant
land Indeed, all the humane and benevolent lament
severe suffering wherever it exists and by whatever
| occasioned.
:" have become acquainted with the memorial which
you have presented 1t is ably written and contains
suggestions which entitled to weight with all just
minds, and cannot fail awaken in every bosom strong
desire for the accomplishment of its humane object.
Franknes however compels say that the request
ub;,h - No tta
cal proceedings yet any personal good offices in aid of
your wishes far may be compatible with duty and
obligation, will be most cheerfully rendered
1t principle well settled and which is absolutely
necessary to all national independence that nation
cannot claim right to interfere with the internal con-
Germs of another The United States Government would
be the last to yield to any such claim by foreign State
and therefore from its very origin it has cautiously alb
stained from setting up or exercising any such claim
right itself 1t has in any instance interfered in
such you present
'When the great Father Of his Country President
of the United States his companion in arms, Gen La
FAYETTE, beloved by him like brother became prison
er at Omutz, in Austria. The PRESIDENT most
earnestly and approximately solicited interfere officially
for his But this he steadily declined although
at the same time he made every private and personal
effort to accomplish purpose dear to his own heart
shall regard the principle of this precedent and, to-
shall consider what be done in aid of your object
consistently with such principle.
''You and your friends sir. viii probably see,
lection that nothing could be likely to defeat the
desired object than any interference, which might be
justly deemed offensive according the usages of nations
aud the wel-settled principles of public law Nor
so far disregard what due to the dignity of this Gov
eminent as to make any application, its head,
another Government which such Government might treat
with dsrespect and be justified in doing by the rules
of international law. You refer what has been done
in regard to NJ KossurH. But in his case this Govern
ment made representation application to the
Government against which he had committed alleged
offences. The representation of this Government was
made to Turkey, and not to Austria.
In regard to citizens the would be diff
feren The paterna which exercise for the vel
fare Of citizens would justify such intercesson for
of them This has been done by myself and by my
predecessors in several instances. But never
citizens.
Be assured, sir that it would give sincere plea
the prisoners to whom your memorial refers
set at liberty Whenever that happens-which l hope
may be soon-should they fit to this country
they win find safe asylum and full protection under its
Jaws.
Accept sir, for yourself and your friends my respects
and good wishes
At the close Of these ceremonies the party returned in
the order that they had observed their
complimentary Dinner, given to the Populations from
abroad by the Irish citizens Of Washington off last
evening at Caruss Saloon, which two three
hundred sat down AS might be supposed on such
casion, every thing went of most joyously Addresses
delivered by Senator DOUGLAS g. w. CUsTIs, ESQ.,,
Mr.. McGHER, and other gentlemen.