Mr. Orth to Mr.
Seward.
House of Representatives, Washington, D. C., January 14, 1867.
Dear Sir: I enclose you a letter from Mr.
O’Connell, one of my constituents, in reference to the imprisonment of
his son, Charles Underwood O’Connell, formerly a captain in our army,
and a citizen of the United States,.now imprisoned in Great Britain on
charge of complicity with the Fenian movement. Also a letter from
honorable George Clifton, governor of Portland prison, &c.
I desire to submit these letters to your department, with the suggestion
that probably the friendly interposition of our government in Captain
O’Connell’s behalf might result in restoring to his family a gallant
soldier of the republic, who may have been guilty of an indiscretion
against the government of Great Britain; or if of crime, that it is
already sufficiently expiated.
Respectfully,
Hon. William. H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Mr. O’Connell to Mr. Orth.
Lafayette, Indiana,
January 5, 1867.
Hon. Sir: Enclosed you have the governor’s
letter you expressed a wish to see. I also send a newspaper in which
Mr. Pope Hennessy, a member of the English Parliament, allude to the
sufferings and treatment those convicted for political offences are
receiving.
May the Great Lord bless you—and take the earliest opportunity of
seeing Mr. Seward, as my poor son cannot much longer exist, under
such cruel and merciless treatment. Regretting much being so very
troublesome, and hoping to hear from you after seeing Mr. Seward, I
have the honor to be, honorable sir, with great respect, your
inflexible supporter,
Godlove S. Orth, Esq., M. C.
Governor Clifton to Mr. Scullin.
Governor’s Office, Portland
Prison, Weymouth,
England,
November 7, 1866.
Sir: Prisoner 5,368, Charles Underwood
O’Connell, desires me to communicate with you, and inform you that
he is much troubted at not hearing from his family since he left the
United States. He would feel more at ease were his anxiety
respecting them relieved; and wants to hear whether all are alive
and in good health.
He entreats his friends not to fret, or by any means trouble about
him, but to remember him in their prayers.
He sends his love to his father, brother-in-law Mr. Scullin, his
sisters Margaret, Anna, and
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Kate, his brothers John and Morgan, and hopes the latter two hoys
study to improve their minds in their leisure hours. He is quite
well.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Mr. Titus Scullin, (Care of Miss
O’Connell, Lake House, Lafayette, Indiana, United States of
America.)
