American Prisoners at Van Dieman's Land.


New YoRK, Nov. =, 1874.
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New YoRK, Nov. 7, 1874.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEw YoRK HRRALD-


SIR 81 propose to trouble you with the perfor-
nance of what conceive an act of benevolence,
but one for which can promise you no other re-
ward than that which your iown mind can furnish
by the contemplation Of an effort for the relief Of
q number Of fallen fellow-countrymen, to which
You will give assistance BY the publication Of this
be presented to you IN the columns of your journal.
It is matter we'll known to the public, that Of
the American citizens, who were captured by the
British forces in Canada, In 1888, a considerable
number were condemned for their participation in
the civil commotions in those provinces, and tran
sported to Van Deman's Land. Thirty-nine of
deaih,) have been pardoned by Her Majesty's Co
vernment; and ferty-two, according to authentic
information, are still detained as convic,s, under
the original sentence OF transportation for life.
two captives may be understood by the following
copy Of a letter recently received by me


'Posr OrrIcE, WEsrMrvsrpR. Vr,}
"CiEN. sUrHERLArp-Dear Sir From the New York
Express learn that you interesting yourself in be-
half fthe American prisoners at Van Diemans Land
Riley whitney one Of the prisoners was native Of this
town. fyou deem advisable for his friends in this
place to petition for his discharge please send blank
with instr ructions ana will give you such auxiliary aid
a. am able in the humane enterprise Poor Whitney ia
a well.disposed man, but exceedingly ignorant-can
ncitnci Ecdu VI WTitc- may give
appearance Of obsnscy but after all, he has given
abundant proof Of ial affection in the support he
given to his widowed mother At the time Of his captiv
ty Whitney was residing in northern New York, where
his mother now lives.


PEiNY sAFEoRD, PM"
The information requested shall furnish forthwith
but this had now been unnecessary if the editors
Of the public newspapers had acted with thier
usual liberality in giving publicity to the in
formation which has been offered them. The
.OHcial Notice" referred to iu the annexed c0mmunca
ton from the Department OF State not to my know
LEDGE republshed In sny Of the newspapers of
try The list of the Of those who have received
parlons has also been published in such defective
to leave the friends the captives uncertain
ty the condition Of the unfortunate men, in whose
fate they nt rested which induces request the
publication Of the annexed official statement for their
formation and satisfacton.


Very respectfully.