Meanwhile, in London Panizzi was alert for the safety and protection of the exiles in case they reached New York. The United States Government, about that time, had repeatedly protested against some of the European Governments deporting their paupers, jail-birds and prisoners to America, and threatened not only to prevent their landing, but to compel the captains who brought them to take them back. Of course no serious apprehensions were entertained for those Italians, if they fell into the right hands at first. Panizzi consulted Mr. Henry Stevens, who recommended that correct information and supplies should be sent direct to the Collector of Customs in New York, and in such manner arouse his personal interest in the patriots. Accordingly the following letter was written by Mr. Stevens to Mr. Schell, who not only took a lively interest in the affair himself, but encouraged others to the same purpose. A steamer was kept for many days in readiness to go down the Bay to meet Poerio and his companions and welcome them to New York. It was, therefore, no slight disappointment when the news was received that they had found their way to England. “Morley’s Hotel, London, January 28th, 1859. “My dear Sir, You are doubtless familiar with the story of the Italians whom the King of Naples, since his amnesty at the end of December last, has sent to New York. There are sixty or seventy of them, and it is expected that they will reach America towards the end of February. They go from Naples to Cadiz by steamer, and will probably be transhipped there to a merchant vessel about the 22nd of January. Much interest is felt and expressed for them here, and I have no doubt, as they are all exiles for political offences, they will receive a cordial welcome on our shores. I take the liberty not only to call your attention to them, but to request that you will be so good as to deliver, as early as possible after their arrival, the enclosed letter to one of them, Mr. Luigi Settembrini. The letter is from Mr. Panizzi, the Chief Officer of the British Museum, who takes a deep interest in them all, but more especially in Mr. Luigi Settembrini and Baron Carlo Poerio, both gentlemen of distinction, the latter formerly a Minister of State. The letter to Mr. Settembrini contains matters of importance, and will direct him and others to Messrs. Brown Brothers & Co. where they will find _something to their advantage_. I will only add that some little apprehension has been expressed lest the _manner_ in which the King of Naples has sent these unfortunates to our shores might bring trouble upon them; but their misfortunes are too well known to warrant the belief that exiles for political opinions will be opposed on their landing in the _Land of Freedom_.