Southport Telegraph

American Prisoners at Van Diemen's Land.—While the public sympathy has been demanded for McLeod, it is not due to humanity that the American prisoners, engaged in the Canada incursions, in 1838 and now suffering imprisonment at Van Diemen's Land should not be altogether overlooked? In most cases, these were young men of reputable families—farmers residing in the frontier counties—who, misled by the feeling then abroad, were induced, to invade the territory of a nation with whom we were at peace. It is not claimed that they were wrongfully convicted. But as no possible good can be obtained by their farther punishment—as they have already suffered as much as the public good, or the claims of national justice, can be supposed to require—it is to be hoped that the British Government will allow them to return to their families and friends. Our government may not claim their discharge—and perhaps it may think it ought not to interfere—but we see no impropriety on their part in calling the attention of the British authorities to this subject, and inviting them to an act of clemency that would redound far more to their credit than disadvantage. In another column will be found a list of the prisoners sent to Upper Canada.—Argus.

We know from the highest source that Sir George Arthur, some months ago, recommended to his government that these deluded men should have their punishment moderated, so far as to have the privilege of working for themselves one year. It was the opinion of Sir George that they would soon have permission to return to this country, provided their conduct was good.—N. Y. Spectator.