SULLIVAN AND THE AMERICANS

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1179, 26 May 1874, Page 2

SULLIVAN AND THE AMERICANS

The Alta California gives the following particulars of the preparations that were to be made to receive Sullivan on his landing at Sail Francisco : As soon as the steamer Mikado was off Meiggs's Wharf yesterday, Captain Grey came ashore in a Whitehall boat, and proceeded to the Police Office, where he delivered the following letter received from an American official aboard, who does not desire our immigration increased by transported convicts :

" Consulate of the United States of America, at Auckland, _N.Z., Eeb. 16th, 1874, " To the Chief of Police, San Francisco. " Dear Sir, —I learn that the Governor of New Zealand has pardoned one Sullivan, a most notorious criminal, on condition that he leaves the Colony, and with this end in view they have paid his passage by the Mikado to California. Sullivan, with three others, murdered a man a few years ago. Sullivan turned Queen's evidence ; the other three men were hung, and Sullivan sentenced to prison for life. I think it my duty to report the matter to you so that you can prevent his landing. Jt is reported this morning that the Captain of the Midado has refused to allow the man to go by the steamer, but some think this is a mere blind. Captain Grey, an American sea captain of San Francisco, wlio goes up by the Mikado. will be the bearer of this letter, and will be able to give you further information.—l am, dear sir truly yours, 11. P. Barber, U.S. Consular Agent." Immediately after reading the letter, Chief Cockrill detailed Officers Bainbridge, Keyser and Langford to board the Mikado before she was made fast to the wharf. The officers carried out their instructioiis,searched thesteamer, conversed with the Captain and passengers, who assured the officers that the ex-convict had been left at Auckland, the passengers objecting to his continuing on the voyage Another journal remarks :—■

The British steatnor Mikado arrived yesterday from Sydney, and brings with it a newspaper clipping addressed to ns, informing us that a certain man, who had committed murder in New South Wales, had turned Queen's evidence against his accomplices, who wore hanged, and that he was pardoned and "is to be landed in California." We arc not quite sure that it would suit us to have this State turned into a penal Colony uuder the most favorable circumstances; but to have Botany Bay make us the recipient of its convicts is doubly objectionable. We trust the police will pay their respects to the captain and his passengers.