Office of the Historian

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward

No. 1535.]
Legation of the United States, London, February 11, 1868.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of a letter addressed to me by R. OS. Burke, the individual now under confinement and about to take his trial on a charge of treason-felony. I am led to do this not so much on account of its intrinsic importance as from a wish to place on record, among all the cases in which it has been my duty to labor in behalf of persons similarly situated, this single instance of grateful acknowledgment.

In this connection I may as well call your attention to the delay to reply to my dispatch No. 1495, of the 14th December last, in relation to the case of Colonel Nagle. His solicitor, Mr. Scallan, has become very anxious, and has applied to me to know what is to be done in the absence of directions. I have caused him to be informed that I consider my existing authority to extend only to the employment of counsel in Eagle’s defense in the customary way. So far as that goes I am willing to exercise it. But so great is the expense already incurred even in that way, that I could only justify acceeding to the extra measures which he desires under special instructions from the department authorizing the outlay.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Mr. Burke to Mr. Adams

County Jail, Warwick, Sunday, February 9, 1868.

Sir: I regret to learn through my solicitor, Mr. Merriman, that you have resigned your representative office at the English court, and are about to return to the United States.

I desire, before your departure from London, to express to you my thanks for the [Page 153] prompt and satisfactory consideration you have bestowed upon my case; and further, to tender to yourself, Mr. Moran, secretary of legation, and Mr. Morse, consul at London, nay gratitude for the unvarying kindness and courtesy with which myself and solicitors have been received during my connection with the legation.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

RICARD OS. BURKE.

Hon. Charles Francis Adams, United States Minister, &c., &c., &c.