Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward..
Washington,
December 17, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to submit to you a copy
of a letter from Patrick Hamilton, a prisoner in Fort Warren, who
represents that he is a British subject; that he shipped at Havana a
seaman on board a vessel bound for Matamoras, which was captured, and
that he has since been detained as a prisoner. This letter was received
during my absence by Mr. Stuart, who directed her Majesty’s consul at
Boston to visit the prisoner at Fort Warren, and inquire into the truth
of his statement. I enclose a copy of the consul’s report, and I trust
that you will deem it right to move the proper authorities to direct
that Hamilton be released from prison. He appears to have been already
in confinement for more than six months.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
Patrick Hamilton to Lord Lyons.
Fort Warren,
September 30, 1863.
My Lord: I have taken this opportunity of
writing you these few lines, to state my case to you. I shipped in
Havana to go to Matamoras, and the fourth day the vessel was
captured, and I was sent to New York, and then to Fort Warren, where
I have been a prisoner four months without any trial, and I do not
know what it is for. I have nothing to do with this war since it
began. I have written to the consul in Boston, and had no answer
from him. I am a British subject, and, most kind, thank you to see
after my case. I am a stranger here, and do not know anybody to
write to do anything for me, for I should like to get out to go
home. I was born in Belfast, Ireland, and I am a seaman. The captain
of the vessel was let go in New York, and wrote all the crew was let
go; I was on board the boat I should like to have advice to know
what I am here for. Please to answer. I was a seaman on the
boat.
I am, &c.,
PATRICK HAMILTON. Now a prisoner in Fort
Warren, a British subject.
Mr. Lousada to Lord Lyons.
Her Majesty’s Consulate,
Bostin,
December 10, 1863.
My Lord: I took advantage yesterday of my
visit to Fort Warren to Patrick Hamilton, subject of your lordship’s
despatch of the 23d November.
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I found that he was ignorant of any special cause of detention, and
to ray interrogatories as to his birthplace, place of residence,
&c., his answers were satisfactory, and, by a curious
coincidence, my secretary had been resident in the identical place,
and elicited from Hamilton, not only details of the streets and
localities, but of the persons, factories, &c., leaving no
shadow of doubt as to his being an Irishman, and the person he
represents himself to be. He wished to have an oath administered to
him that he had never done anything to impair his nationality, and
Iaccordingly administered, the usual oath to him. Unless there are
circumstances of which I am not in possession, making his further
detention necessary to the United States authorities, I should beg
to recommend his claim for protection to your lordship’s favorable
notice.
I am, &c., &c.,
F. LOUSADA, Her Britannic Majesty’s
Consul,
