The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-11-23


disgaceul to the country of their choice and adoption
But fear have already presumed too much your val
liable space Please therefore accept my apology and
most sincere and grateful acknowledgment should you gen.
emen deem those letters worthy of place in your widely
circulated and influential journal Mr.. West, I am
informed has been talking in dsrespectul manner of
me- or would not presume your time and space. He
says that Independent and impertmen that have
nsuted and abused his Exceency the President of the
United States and expresses his entire inability to fathom
or understand me-
The public however are left their judgment to
the Justice and propriey of of those charges
claimed be sure the right to express grievances In
my own language do deny that have felt and do
feel Justly indignant the gross indifference manifested by
the present administration in my behalf The more SO
because of my love for my adopted country for the prin-
cipes of repubcanism of sefgovernment and the well
known enthusiasm and patriotism with WHICH served in
the late civil war from its very dawn have my poses
sion copies two letters to- and their from, Mr.
West in the latter part of the year 1866 and should Mr.
West aude to the matter of those letters may
on some future occasion, submit them to the public
In conclusion would say that in consideration of some
courtesy extended to me the person of few friends who
did me the honor of visiting few days previous to my
liberation and their courteous reception by the prison
authorities and the facilities afforded by said authorities
to converse and enjoy their society for few hours would
willingly omit my letter of June 10th present year, but
Mr. Vests peculiar of replying to my letters COM
pels me- in Justice to myself insert it, otherwise wish
the reader Judge favoraby he of said prison
authorities.
I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your humble and
obedient servant IT, II. OBRIEN
MAS JAIL, KILDARE Co, IRELAND.
| MAS June s. 1867
ssasd Sir Tos Iar'0" C. B. Under Secretary for
SIR am instructed by the Governor of this prison that
you the proper medium of communication between
this government and the prisoners Acting upon this
instruction. necessitated to address the former
| through this medium.
Upon mature and deliberate reconsideration of the
length painful and protracted period of imprisonment
and the less painful Illegal unjust and Illuminating cir
cumsances connected Herewith have decided contrary to
my former resolution to accept matter OF temporary
necessity convenience and advantage the discharge prot
fered by this about August Oh 1866
protest. however that my arrests imprsonments deten-
sons and the conditions attached to aid discharge were
and not only Illegal arbitrary and unjust but also IN
direct and gross violation of principle of law honor
and Justice Such being undoubtedly and ndsputaby the
case now accept and respect said discharge only
means, and the only means by which am enabled to
my liberty for the preservation of my health etc
The United States is and has been indifferent
to my Just claims and representations 1t has failed to
afford any protection satisfaction whatever am
and have been the other hand denied by this govern
all legal honorable OF redress The suspen-
sion of the habeas corpus act does not necessarily imply
of anarchy, and Notwithstanding and have beep
before observed denied the protection OF all law and
Justice 1t is therefore with the greatest reluctance, and
only matter of the most cogent necessity that now
after sixteen months of most illegal and unjust mpris-
the arbitrary and unjust conditions imposed
upon me as necessary for the recovery of my
liberty, etc.
WISH however, to have it clearly and distinctly under
stood that will not sign any documents papers what
trusted the bad faith Of this government once,
and in doing have been shameuly cheated will not
therefore, again. The conditions upon which
necesstated purchase my liberty the occasion Of my
arrest and imprisonment at the city of Belfast mme
diatey and grossly violated. am therefore determined
not to be imposed upon in garing second
time. 1t is at least ought to e-considering the
grievous wrong which have already sueredenongh for
this government to know that prepared to leave
this country for the United States under escort Either
this trial all that ask and Notwithstanding the
wretchedness of my lot now, than at any former
period of my long incarceration I determined to
accede to any less conditions than those specified in this