The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-24


prevented from coming to it in 1898, anu from be-
ing naturalized upwards of three years ago. Sup
posing then that should refrain from informed
ling with politics in every other case where you are
concerned feel myself authorized to exercise the
rights of citizen as far as by law may for you
know it Is an established rule OF equity and good
sense, that no man shall be benefited by his own
wrong. But how do come forward! Not as q CT
tizen but as witness. Allow me to ask you, if
possessed knowledge Of facts which could prove
Mr. Jefferson guilty Of robbery or a cheat, and un-
fit to be trusted with power, would you think me
culpable if, Notwithstanding ny alienage, made
them known to the public, to prevent their being
deceived and misled? And shall not be permitted
because in consequence Of your very misconduct
not Citizen to testify to facts which will prove
you unfit TO be entrusted in this country with any
kind Of delegated power? Whether Peter Porcupine
or Mr. Carpenter ever went through the forms of
naturalization, know not; but perhaps they might
both be safely considered as aliens; and yet have
never heard any of your friends censpre their inter
ference in the politics Of America / do not men,
ton those gentlemen as my models, nor propose
their example as my vindcation, but wish to show
the piabllity Of those principles which are TO be
erected into barrier against me.
AS witness, then, sir, come forward to testify,
not to my countrymen, but to the electors OF TINS
CITY, to the whole OF the United States II YIN should
ever aspire to govern them, and now present You
with my evidence.
In the summer of 1898 after the attempt Of the
people of Ireland for their emancipation had been
completely defeated; after every, armed body hal
that had taken refuge in the mountains OF Wicklow
while military tribunals houseburnings, shootlngs,
torture and every kind OF devastation were DESC
lating and overw heming the deenceiess inhabitants
some OF the State prisoners then in confinement
tered into negotiation with the lrlsh ministers Tor
efecting general amnesty; and as an Indictment,
offered, among other things not necessary to the
examination of yo1r conduct TO elnlgrate TO sucu
country as might be agreed upon between them and
the government. When l consented TO this offer,
for one land 1t was the case with the great MAORI
ty), solemnly declare that was perfectly appris-
ed that there was no legal grounds discovered upon
which TO proceed against me. further knew that
the crown solicitor had, in answer to the enquiries
of nv friends informed them that there was no in
tention of preferring bill of indictment against
me. So much for the personal considerations by
which might have been actuated; and now, sir to
return.
The offer was accepted, the bloody sys-
renewed until after your interference, and after
the British ministry had resolved openly to
break its faith with us. On our part, we performed
our stipulati0ns with the most punctlious fidelity,
but in such m inner as to preserve 70 US the warm
est appreciation of our friends, and to excite the
greatest dissatisfaction in enemies. Government
soon perceived that on the score OF interest 1t had
calculated badly, and had gained nothing by the
contract. II was afraid ofletting Us 90 at large to
deyeope and detect the Misrepresentation and
calumniss that were studiousy set aloat, and had
therefore, am convinced, determined to violate its
engagements by keeping us prisoners as long as
mencement Of our negotiation, Lord CAST ereagh de
clared as reason for our acccding to governments
possessing negative on our choice, that II had no
worse place in view for our emigration tnan the
United States Of America. We had made our eec-
ton TO go there, and called upon him to have our
agreement carried into execution. In that difficulty,
you, sir, afforded very efectual assistance to the
fathlessnes of the British cabinet On the 18th OF
September Mr.. M,rsden, then Under Secretary,
came to inform us that Mr.. King had demonstrated
against our being permitted to emigrate to Ameri-
ca. This astonshed us all, and Or. MacNeven very
plainly said that he considered this mere trick be-
tween Mr. King and the British government. hi.
Ir. Marsden denied, and on being pressed TO Know
what reason Mr.. King could have for preventing
Us, who were avowed republicans, from emigrating
10 America, be Significantly answered, perhaps
Mr. King does moi desire to have republicans in Anne
rica.n Your interference was then, sir, made the
pretext OF OBTAINING Us for four years in custody by
which very extensive and useful plans Of settlement
within these States were broken up. The msfo tunes
which you brought upon the objects of your persecu-
ton were incalculable. Almost all Of us wa sted
four of the best years OF lives in prison. AS to
ne, should have brought along with me my father
and his family, including brother Robert Emmett
who was hung whose name perhaps will you even
not read without emotions OF sympathy and respect.
Others nearly connected with me would have come
partners in my emigration. But all OF them have
been torn from me. have been prevented from
saving brother, from receiving the dying blessings
of father, mother and sister, aud fom soothing
their last agonies by my cares; AMI this, sir, by
Your friends. when they accuse me Of want Of
moderation in my conduct towards you are wonder
fully mistaken. They do not reflect, or know, that
have never spoken Of you without suppressing Gas
do now) personal feelings that rise up within me
and swell my heart with Indignation and resent
mcnt. But mean TO confne myself 10 an exami-
nation Of your conduct as far as IL IL Of public i'm
portarce.
The step YOU took was unauthorized by your own
government. Our agreement with that Of Ireland
was entered into on the 18th OF July-your prohibi.
ton was notified to on the 18th OF September;
deduct seven days for the two communications be-
tween Dublin aid London, and you had precisely
fortytwo days, in the Gains of summer, for trans
hitting your intelligence to America and receiving
an answer. As you had no order then, what was
the motive OF your unauthorized act! cannot pos
stively say, but will tell you my conyic ion. The
British ministry had resolved to detain prison
ers contrary 70 their pEghted honor; and you sir,
fear, lent your ministerial character to enable
them to commit an act Of perfdy which they would
our conduct in Ireland was right or wrong you have
no justification for yours. The constitution and
laws OF this country gave you no power TO require
of the British government that !. should violate
it's faith and withdraw from its con-
sent 10 the place we had fixed upon foo
our voluntary emigration. Neither the Presi-
dent nor you were warranted TO prevent our
touching these shores; though the former might,
under tie alien act, have afterwards sent away IL
he had reason TO think we were Plotting anything
against the United States. have heard something ,
about the law OF nations but you are too well ac-
quain'ed with that Jay not TO know that !. has no
caring on tbs subject Our emigration was volnn
tary, and the English government had, in point of
Justice no more TO do with IT than TO signify that
there no objection to the place Of residence We
had chosen.
Another circumstance which compels me 10 be-
l,eve collusive league between you, IN your caps
city OF resident Minister from America, and the |
Cabinet Of 81. James, Is the very extrsysgant and
unwarrantable nature OF your reno1stranoe |
which, bad the Ministry been sincere to-
wards us, they could not possibly have |
overlooked. II they lad intended to OBJ |
serve their compact, you, sir, would have been |
very quickly made 70 feel the futlty Of your II
i.,..ned Application. You would have been taught |
that IL was matter Of mere private arrangement |
between government and us, with which you had no
more to do than the Minister o. Denmark, Sweden,
Portugal, or any other neutral Power. What infc
renee ought fairly 20 be made from the facts have
stated, every man must decide for himself. On me
they have forced a conviction, which, IL you can
shake II, I shall much more gladly forego than
state II here, than In the instance alluded 10 you
degraded the dignity and independence OF the coun-
ptxI abn IL