American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-09-15
Letter of Mayor Wood Of New York,
concerning the Belgian Convicts.
MAyoR's OFFICE, New YORK,
February 90, 1855.

MAYORS OFFICH, NEW YORK, !
February 2G, 1855.
Hon. John Wheeler er,-pear SIR In reply,
to your inquiries respecting the Belsians,
lately in confinement in this city, have the
honor to advise that they are now at liberty
and beyond the control of the authorities,
except so far as they may become amenable
ito our laws hereafter.
Judge Roosevelt Of the Supreme Court, re-
leased them on the oath inst, and they are
now at largo, whether for veal or woe, re-
mains to be seen.
resisted this proceeding, aud hence am
conscious of having discharged my duty
However much crime and destitution may
be increased among Us in consequence,
shall feel no sell.reproach cannot, new
ertheless, but express regret that they should
have been released so summarily at this
time. never counselled their detention in
prison, but advised that they should be re-
turned TO Antwerp, and but for this applica-
,ion TO the Courts, they would have been now
on their way ,hilher. Their discharge in this
manner viii, fear, nullifv my efforts to pre-
vent the immigration of criminals and pau
pers into This country, 1t tappears 10 estab-
iish the fact that the Courts defend their
introduction. Any action of the municipal
authorities hereafter, TO counteract this will
be looked npoikas Illegal, andwill be entire
iylfntiM Anb,5se ..sl..s s. ~ : IS, ~
will beanei bg smuggling them on snore,
when, if arrested and imprisoned, writ of
habeos corpus sets them al liberty 10 depre-
date upon our lives and property.
llmay not be known to you tha, very ex
tensive preparations are now being made in
Germany, in Belgium, and other natious Of
pbsSurope, for further exportalion Of the same
class Of people. In Switzerland the prepa-
ra,ory movements have been so extensive,
that the cantona governments are now leg
isiating as TO The cheapest and best mode OF
getting them away
singular fact in connection with the
public property OF the towns and villages
of Switzerland adds an additional induce
ment to the banishment of their paupers and
criminals The lands and forests belong to
The commune, and in many instances would
amount in value to 500 or to 700 francs per
individual. The local authorities, there fore,
have double object iC getting rid Of The
poor. The expense of their support, and OF
the evils of their crime, are not only remov-
ed forever, but the proprietary interest OF
those remaining is increased by getting rid
OF so large portion Of the pOpuloiion.-
Official statements show that in some of the
districts one-sixth of The whole population
subsst by public aims.
The principle of seifpreserva,ion from
the evils of criminal and pauper immgra.
ton, recommended By me, are fully under.
stood in Switzerland. These villages and
= .nmunes are far more jealous of their own
local interest, even against each Other, than
we have shown ourselves agains. foreign
nations.
A pauper resident in one canton is no,
permitted 10 become resident of anotle,
canton. Every one visiting into another
canton, even under the plea of looking for
work, is closely watched, and the passports
and papers with which they must always be
provided closely examined. The same, and
even TO greater extent, is the case in Ger.
many. None dare venture into neighbor
ing State without passport and o-her redui.
site papers Sand il he is found 10 be desti
tute (for on the borders Of country every
one must show certain sum Of money! he
is Immediately ordered back--aud, il neces
sary, transferred forciby back--by The 20
lice, fearful tha, by entering they will be.
come public charge.
ibis appears TO be the domestic policy OF
lbese countries towards each other, but who
however, have no computations of con
science or regard for our rights, in transfer
Tne these ontcasts TO our care. Howeye,
Gonending with each other Us TO the care o
these untortunoies, they appear to make
common cause in saddling them upon us. -
therefore, in not receiving them, and 10 for
IDLY sendiug them back, we but follow The
policy Of the county from whence the,
came.
! regre, that we have not in this instance
followed SO good All example. The lube
ren' right OF every community TO protect IT,
eolf from the iDgress Of dangerous person.
cfnuot be questioned. Selfpuservatior
s the first lave Of noture.p Why is ii tha,