Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1884-10-14
THE McswEENY CASE.
His own versioa of the Matter.

Much has been said by politicians
in this campaign relative to the case
of Daniel Insolvency., an American
citizen, who visited his native country,
and was there imprisoned eighteen
months without trial. As the Politi-
clans disagree as to the facts in the
case, and uresuming that Mr.. Nc
Sweeney, who was resident OF Cali
fornia for many years, knows, per-
,ans. little more about it than they
do, we print an extract from his letter
on the subject to the San Francisco
.,xaminer.-Silver State.
"While in failing health, by the adj
vice OF my respected physician, DR..
VIM. Jones, Of San Francisco, | came
temporarily to reside in this country.
Mr.. Blaine will hardly dispute that
this was on lawful errand.' 1t is
true | took part in the Land League
agitation which broke out here imme-
diately after the great famine OF 1879
and 1880, and which has resulted in
the partial emancipation OF the unfor-
tunate serfs of this country from a
servitude more odious than the worst
form OF African slavery. But in so
doing | violated no law OF this coun-
try.
"Immediately after my arrest |
communicated with M. Lowell, forwar-
ded to him certificate of American
citizenship, and put him in possession
of all the facts connected with my
case. That gentleman answered in
effect that it was absurd for natur-
alized citizen OF the United States to
claim American protection, or, IN his
own words, lit is manifestly futile to
claim that naturalized citizens of the
United States should be excepted
from it's operation (the Coercian Act.
Lest should labor under any misap-
prehension with regard to his mean
ing, he adds: The only case in which
[ could intervene would be where an
American citizen should be arrested;
it would be proper to appeal to the
courtesy of the English Government
for the release of the prisoner, etc.
have communicated these views tc
the Department of State and have SC
far received no instructions in con
trary spirit
cat the time this correspondence
took place, and, in fact, during the
first six months of my Imprisonment
Mr.. j. Ct. Blaine was Secretary o
State. That Mr.. Lowell received nj
instructions in contrary spirit iron
that department, proves coneluslvel.
that blaine endorsed these views, ant
consequently, he is, beyond all doubt
responsible for the outrages commit
fed on American citizens in the coun
try. In my correspondence with MI
Lowell during my Imprisonment, tina
gentleman took pains to inform m
that he was led to believe that Amer
lean citizens imprisoned in lrelan'
did not meet with exceptional ire at
ment.' | was among the first impris
oned and the last released, and ther
was not even shadow of foundation
for suspicion that had committee
any crime.
sin conclusion, beg to say wor
to my fellow-eitizens III the Unite
States. | committed no act, either a
home or abroad, by which l forfeite
my right to claim the protection c
the flag of my adopted country.
came to this country on lawful Ell
rand. was condemned and senten
ced to eighteen months imprisonmei
without any form of trial. | was COZ
fined for fourteen months and tie
days in cell, eight by twelve, eigl
teen hours daily during that perio(
committed no crime known to tn
laws of this country. | was charge
with none. appealed to }. q. Blain
Secretary of the United States to pre-
tect me. My wife appealed to hi
in my behalf. He treated our appea
with cold Indifference; he did not co,
descend even to reply. This was M
Blaine's vigorous foreign policy whe
he was in position to demand an
procure the release of the America
suspects imprisoned in this countr.