Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: In regard to the subject of your despatch No. 1910, of the 15th of January, the case of Charles Underwood O’Connell, now serving out his sentence in Portland prison for complicity with the Fenian conspiracy, I have carefully examined all the papers connected with it that were originally furnished to this legation by the consul at Dublin. These seem to prove very distinctly the offence that was charged upon him, and upon which he was tried and convicted. It can scarcely be doubted that he was the bearer of letters from and to parties deeply engaged in the plot, the contents of which were well known to him at the time of his arrest. They also disclose one fact which seems to be rather embarrassing in any effort to intercede for him. This is, that he nowhere seems to have claimed to be a citizen of the United States; but, on the contrary, he repeatedly declares himself an Irishman, and even boasts of it after the arrest.
Nevertheless I propose to present the matter for the consideration of Lord Stanley on the first opportunity, which I shall seek at once. The panic which put an end for the time to any prospect of lenient measures towards the prisoners is rapidly passing away. The Queen’s speech announces that no further extension of the extraordinary powers vested in the government by Parliament will be solicited, so that the administration of the law will resume its wonted course in Ireland in a few months. This will tend to simplify our relations [Page 63] with the government on this delicate question of citizenship. I have not yet received a report of a single new case springing from all the late arrests.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.