Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of despatches from the department, numbered 2085 and 2086; also, of a telegram by the cable, dated yesterday, the 15th instant, desiring me to delay judgment or execution in Warren’s case.
This seems to have been sent under a partial knowledge of the facts attending this trial. At the close of it the court did not give judgment, but simply ordered the prisoner to stand aside, probably with an intention to reserve judgment until the other cases had been disposed of.
Moreover, the offence of treason-felony, as it is defined by statute, is not one involving a penalty of life, so that, in any event, there is no prospect of the execution of the prisoner. Under these circumstances, I do not quite perceive what I can do at present that will promote the object designated in the telegram.
The government has determined upon another effort to convict Costello, it being understood that in the last jury there were only one or two dissentients. The trial is now going on at Dublin. The reports are furnished to you from Dublin by my direction, as I learn from the consul at that place.
I have received a long letter from Shore or Shaw, one of the five men condemned to death for the attempt to rescue two prisoners at Manchester, affirming his citizenship under the name of Edward O’Meagher Condon, and asking my interposition to prevent the execution of the penalty. It is much to be regretted that he should not have made his application to me previously to the trial, when possibly a better defence might have been prepared for him.
From a careful review of the evidence, it appears pretty clear that he was present and actively engaged in the attack upon the prison van, but that, unlike the other three, he was without fire-arms or any other weapon than stones. I have written to Mr. Lord, the consul at Manchester, to see the prisoner if possible, and to report whether anything can be done for him; but I fear the nature of the assault, and the general feeling of panic which it has spread far and wide over the place and vicinity, will render it useless to approach the government with any plea in mitigation of the sentence.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.