Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1876

No. 94.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Pierrepont.

Department of State,
Washington, August 8, 1876.

No. 18.]

Sir: I inclose herewith a copy of a joint resolution of Congress approved July 7, 1876, with reference to one Edward O’M. Condon, who is now imprisoned in Great Britain, by which you will perceive that the President is requested to take such steps as in his judgment may tend to obtain the pardon or release of Condon.

The facts of the case are well known to the Department, and appear upon the tiles of your legation.

The prisoner was charged with complicity in an attack made upon the police at Manchester, in September, 1867, in an attempt to rescue certain Fenian prisoners.

He was tried with several others, convicted of murder, and sentenced to be executed. Through the interposition of Mr. Adams, then minister of the United States, his sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life, while others were executed, and he is now in prison in conformity therewith.

Condon was a soldier in the Government service during the late war, and, as is reported, rendered efficient service, and whether occasioned by a belief in his innocence or arising from sympathy, it is quite plain that his case has excited great interest in the United States and given rise to frequent representations to the Government, and requests for its aid to obtain his release.

The case has more than once been brought to the attention of the government of Great Britain, which has not heretofore been disposed to extend further clemency to him.

During the present session the subject has been brought to the attention of Congress through many channels, by reason of which this joint resolution has been passed.

Although the matter has heretofore been pressed upon the British government, the President under these circumstances feels it incumbent upon him to again present the subject.

You will therefore furnish Lord Derby with a copy of the inclosed joint resolution and invite his attention thereto, and while explaining the reasons which induce the President to recur to the subject, you will also state that he still indulges the hope that Her Majesty’s Government may find it consistent with its views to take steps to accomplish the purpose of the resolution.

I am, &c.,

HAMILTON FISH.

[Inclosure.]

Joint resolution for the relief of Edward O’M. Condon.

Whereas Edward O’M. Condon, a citizen of the United States, is now, and has been for some time closely confined in prison under the sentence of a British court; and whereas an earnest and profound desire, evidenced by resolutions of State legislatures, and petitions numerously signed and addressed to Congress, is entertained by a large and respectable portion of the people of the United States that he should be speedily released: Therefore,

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to take such steps as in his judgment may tend to obtain the pardon or release of the said Edward O’M. Condon from imprisonment.

Approved July 7, 1876.