The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-24
IMPORTANT HISTORICAL DOCUMENT.
The Irhh Patriots Of '9S and the King
FAIRLY.
COPY OF A LETTER FROM Mr.. RUFUS KING, THE
AMERICAN MINISTER AT THE COURT OF LONDON,
TO MR.. HENRY JACKSON, ONE or THE IRISH STATE
PRISONERS.

BRIaHToN, Aug. 23, 1899.
STR ought to inform you that really have no
authority to give or refuse permission to you or any
other foreigner TO go TO the snitsd States-the ad
mi ssion and residence Of strangers in that country
being matter that by late law 1.-THE Alien law Of
old John Adams] exclusively belongs TO the Presl-
dent 1t is true that the government OF this country
in the Of the last year, in consequence OF my
interference, gave me assurance that a particular
description persons in Ireland who, 1t was under
stood were going to the United States, should not
restraint would doubtless be withdrawn in favor Of
individuals against whose emigration should not
object and conclude that it Is upon this SUPPOSE
ton that you have taken the trouble to conmuni.
cate to me your desire to go and reside IN the United
States Without presuming to form an opinion on
the subject of the late disturbances in Ireland,
entertain distinct one in relation to the political
situation of my own country. In common with
others we have felt the influence Of the changes that
have successfully taken place IN France; and, I'M
fortunately, portion OF our inhabitants have erro
neousy supposed that civil and political institu
tons as well as our national policy, might be in
proved by close imitation OF Fran ce This opinion,
The propag CATION Of which was made the duty and
became the chief employment OF the French agents
residing among Us, crea ed more considerable divl
sion among our people, and required greater
watchfulness and activity from the government,
than could beforehand have been apprehended.
am sorry to make the remark, and shall stand
in need Of your candor in doing So that large pro-
portion Of the emigrants from Ireland, and espec
ally in the middle States, have. npon this OCCASION
arranged themselves the side OF the malcoatents
Qhe democrats who supported Mr.. Jefierson).
ought to accept from this remark most of the en-
| ghteped and well educated lrishmen who reside
among us, and, with few exceptions, might con-
fire il to the INDECENT and iliterate who entertain
ing attachment for freedom are unable TO appre-
late those sautary restraints without which it de-
generates into anarchy. IL would be injustice to
say that the Irish emigrants are more national than
those Of o'her countries; yet, being numerous
though very minor portion of our atom, they
are capable, from causes IL is needless now to ex-
plain, Of being generally brought to act in concert,
and, under artiul leaders, may be- as they have
beer, enlisted in mischievous combinations against
government. This view leads me to state to you
without reserve the hesitation that have felt in
your case; the one hand we cannot object to the
acquisition of inhabitants from abroad, possessing
capital and skill in branch OF business that with
due caution may. without risk or difficulty, aud
with public well as private advantage, be estab-
lished among u.s. bnt, on the other hand, II the
opinions Of such inhabitants are likely to throw them
into the class of contents, their fortune, skill and
consequent infuen e would make them tenfold more
dangerous, and they might become g disadvantage
instead of benefit to our country. You must be
sensible that possess no sufficient means OF forming
an opinion respecting your sentiments; but tue mo-
tiyes which lead me to interfere with your govern
ment TO restrain the emigration OF the persons above
alluded to, obhge me to observe due caution on
the present OCCASION AT the same time, desire
not TO act with lberality, and should be unwilling
to bring upon my country the slightest impatation
OF inhospitalty. What Mr.. Wilson (the American
Consul in Dublin has written so far as it goes, il
satisfactory; and on the whole, have concluded,
after this unreserved communication. which hope
will lie received with the same candor as it is made,
10 inform you-authorizng you to make use of the
Internationally withdraw every objection that
may be supposed 70 stand in the way Of your being
permitted 70 go to the United States, adding only
that you may carry With You an unbiased mind, may
find the state OF the country, as believe you will,
favorable TO your views OF business, and its govern
ment deserving your attachmeSt-
must bea your excuse Tor the great delay which
has occurred IN sending 700 this answer, which,
assure you, has arisen from other causes than the
want OF due respect to your letters. With great
sideradon. have the honor TO be, sir, your most
obedient servant, RUFUS KING.
THOMAS ADDS EAMHT TO RUFUS KING, ESQ.
SIR-From certain paragraphs in the EUening
Post, apprehend that it may become necessary for
me to obtrude myself on the public As in that
event should wish 70 derive some credit from the
character of my adversary, request TO be informed
whether you purpose submitting TO the world any
explanation OF your interference with the British
government respecting the Irish state prisoners in
the year 1882
put the question in this way because have not
the honor OF any personal Acquaintance with you
because ! intend that everything which may pass
between you and me this gu beet shall be public,
and because have been informed that private ap.
plcations for an explanation Of that transaction
have been heretofore made 70 you By some Of my
fellow sufferers from your conduct and that You did
not think fit TO favor them with a reply. an, sir,
your most obedient, humble seryaat,
THOMAS ADDS ExaEr
NEW YcKK, April 4, 1907.
THOMAS ADeIs EMMETT TO RUFUS KrSG, ESQ.
NEW YogK, April ., lsO7
SrR-From your silence On the suffice. OF my LEI.
ter Of the Alb inst presume that am not TO be
honcred with reply Perhaps this may be owing
70 my temerity in Addressing him whom Mr.. Cole
man calls the first man In the country OF the
height 70 which your friends exat, or wish to exalt
you, confess Was no. aware when rashly ven
tured TO question the rropresy of part OF your
past conduct. thought that, in this country you
bad nany equals; and protes; that imagined that
Mr.. Jefferson Tor instince, was your superior. You
will, sir, hoseycr, hope, excuse my ignorance la
this respec aud attribute II TO the circumstance of
my being an alien and OF course not yet sufficiently
acquainted with the local politics OF this country.
Though you, sir, have not honoIed me with your
notice, ] have been abuEdautly honored by your
friends; and yet extraordinary az IL may appear, |
10 pay little attention TO their assidues but TO
envelope myself in dignity like your own. As far
a. they have attempted % attack my character,
shall leave II 20 be deended by others, rather 70
defend itself. Not that affect 70 be insensibe of
the value u public OPTION, br. in truth, sir in the
present pressure Of professional business have not
time TO do Justice bo'n 10 you and 10 myself; and
think II Of infinitely orc Importance 20 the comma.
mtg In the existing crisis, TO Ilake known what you
ye than what am. Youare he candidate Tor pub
u: favor, and your conduct IS tie proper subject Of
publ, enquiry. Permit me- however sir, before
erter upon that inte esting topic, 10 make few ge
neral observations touching myself. Mr.. coleman
has brought forward some extracts f.om the reports
Of the secret committee ia lreland thick II more
than probable that he not himself in possession
OF the 81 dDcuments-from whom then did he receive
hem There Is no person In this country more
likely to have them, than &c gentleman who at
the lime the resi3e't Minister at London. When
you handed thtm 20 bin, perhaps your memory
might have served ygu u state that ss soon as those
reports appeared ~ The public prints Or. hcNeven,
Mr.. OConnor AID myself. n that time State pri-
sonerr. by an advertisement to which we sus.,nbed
our names, protested against the faisehoOd and in
accuracy 81 those reports, for which act we were
reunited 70 cose cus Cody 10 our rooms FOR upwards
Of three months; ani Q proposal was made in the
lrhI House Of Commons, by Mr.. McNaghten, an
urangeusn, 70 take us out and hang Us without
trial Yor might al-o, perhaps, have rccolleeted
(for II has neen pHblished), thst while we were in
this situation, other State calumnies acci1ently
reached the ears Of one Of ous fellow sufferers 10
another prison, who wrote letter 10 the editor OF
the Courier In London, for tie purpose OF contra
dieting them, and enclosed a copy Of his letter 10
Lord Castcreagh. Upon this Mr Secretary Cooke
sent N inform him that II he published the
Il