The Sun. — 1848-10-07 (London, England)

HAVRE AND THE IRISH REBELS. Mr. Featherstonhaugh, the British Consul at Havre, has addressed the following letter, dated the 30th ult., to the Journal du Havre : " Monsieur le RiSlacteur,—lt is with regret that I renounce on this occasion my habit of never entering into any discussion with public journals ; but my deference for public opinion, and, above all, the fear that my silence might be interpreted to the prejudice of that respectable functionary the Commissary of Police, whom you have thought fit to associate with me in the charges expressed in your number of yesterday, have overcome the repugnance which I feel against speaking of myself. Permit me, therefore, to say that the details given by you have -11 l the inaccuracy of a fable, and that the pretended letter of an agent of the English Government, which you declare was addressed to me, and which was found in so strange and inexplicable a manner in the possession of the Commissary, never existed except in the imagination of those who hare pretended to give you information. But let us come to the truth of the matter. This John Kavanagh arrived here on the night of the 14th instant; he was without passport or any papers whatever, behaved with violence at the Custom-house, and was, in consequence, placed in prison. The next day he was brought to me as a British subject. lie was young, thin, and pale ; he limped besides, and inspired me with pity. I told him that if he frankly gave explanations, told me his true name, and why he had come to Prance without a passport, I was disposed to do all I could to alleviate his position. He then told me that his name was Kavanagh, that he was in business, that he had not been aware that a passport was necessary to enter France, and that if he were not permitted to remain in the country, he would return to England. As he could not travel in the interior of the country without a passport from me, I asked himif he was compromised in the insurrection of Ireland. He did not hesitate to affirm on his honour that he had not i had anything to do with the outbreak n that country, and that he was neither more nor less than a person in business. Then, in concurrence with the police, I restored him to liberty, recommending him to a respectable hotel, where he could remain until his affairs were more en regle. But it appears at present, from your own declaration, that this young man Is an Irish insurgent, that he was wounded in resisting the laws of his country, and that a reward of 3001. was offered for his capture. I believe, Monsieur le Redacteur, that you have attached too much importance to this young man, and that you may beli▪ eve me that no one has done him the honour of offering one farthing for his capture. But whether that be true or false, it is evident that, as he voluntarily gave me his word of honour that he had never been an insurgent, I may be well excused for having omitted, as you term it, to inform the Commissary that he was one. But this is not all. One of his countrymen lately presented himself at the Consul's office to demand a passport for this Kavanagh, and having received as an answer that passports were only given on personal application, he thought fit to declare in a brutal manner that he would blow out the brai▪ ns of any man who attempted to arrest Kavanagh. Still worse, I have now before me a declaration signed by Captain of England, in command Paul, of the royal navy  of the Wonder steamer, demanding my protection against this same Kavanagh, who publicly, and before witnesses, swore that he would blow out the brains of that officer the first time he landed at Havre. I cannot think, Monsieur, that if these disgusting facts had been known to you, you would have so seriously called for hospitality in this town in favour of an individual who dares to menace with death an officer known as being so useful to the commerce of llavrP, and to the communications between France and England. As for myself, I do not think that threats of murder can be in the present day a title to the good feeling of a community so intelligent and so fond of order as is that amongst which I have the honour to reside.  " G. W.