SANDISON, Editor Star to Jefferson Davis, August 12, 1882

Mr. Sandison to Mr. Davis.

Dear Sir: Permit me to thank, through you, the Department you represent, for the prompt service rendered in the case of our editorial correspondent in Ireland, Stephen Joseph Meany, who was arrested at Ennis. We received a cable message last evening announcing that he had been discharged from custody, doubtless in consequence of the representations made in his behalf by Minister Lowell, at your request.

Mr. Meany is a naturalized citizen, and has for many years been a resident and a voter in this State. On two previous journeys to Ireland, as our representative, he experienced no personal molestation, although his correspondence was examined repeatedly and only forwarded after considerable delay by the English postal authorities. I inclose you the cablegrams received by us on the subject, which contain all the information at hand, and which I would respectfully request you to investigate.

You will observe that, in addition to his arrest, his trunks were searched and he was only permitted to go on giving bonds for good “behavior.” As he has at all times, both at home and abroad, demeaned himself as a quiet and respectable American citizen, it is difficult to understand the nature of the information which led to his arrest as a “dangerous character.” He has never, to my knowledge, or that of his most intimate friends, been guilty of any conduct which could be construed as being incentive to sedition against Her Majesty’s Government, or to a breach of the peace, either at home or abroad. I have written to Mr. Meany to furnish Minister Lowell with evidences of his American citizenship, his passport, and all the other information in his possession bearing on the question of his status abroad at the present time.

At 2.30 p.m. to-day I received the first instalment of Mr. Meany’s editorial correspondence, the envelope containing which bears evidence of having been opened in transit and resealed by the United States postal authorities. The envelope is inclosed herewith, together with other matters bearing on the subject of the recent arrest.

Very truly, yours,