Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward
No. 937.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
April 28, 1865.
Sir: In connexion with your despatch No. 1110,
of the 3d of October, respecting the transfer of certain criminals from
Newfoundland to the United States, I have the honor to forward a copy of
my note to Lord Russell of the 31st of October last, and also copies of
his replies, dated the 3d of November last and the 24th of this
month.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell
Legation of the United
States,
London,
October 31, 1864.
My Lord: I have the honor to represent to
you that, from information of an authentic character received by my
government, no doubt is entertained that the colonial authorities of
Newfoundland have been heretofore in the practice of commuting
sentences passed upon criminals by the courts of that island on the
condition that they leave it for other parts. And further, that in
cases where such convicts select the United States as their
destination, passages thither are granted to them by the
government.
It appears that the immediate instance of this kind which attracted
the notice of my government was that of three persons, named Daniel
Hurley, Bryan Sheey and James Nowlan. Application having been made
to the colonial authorities through her Majesty’s minister at
Washington for some explanations in regard to this case, the
essential fact as above stated turned out to be conceded as
true.
Under these circumstances, whilst cheerfully recording a belief,
founded on the information thus Supplied, that the proceedings have
taken place through inadvertence, rather than ill intention, on the
part of the colonial authorities, I am directed to express to your
lordship a hope that her Majesty’s government will be pleased to
caution them against the continuance of any such practice
hereafter.
I pray your lordship to accept, &c., &c.
Right Honorable Earl Russell,
&c., &c., &c.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams
Foreign Office,
November 3, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, in which you make a
representation respecting the practice of the authorities of
Newfoundland of granting passages to the United States to convicts
in that island, whose sentences have been commuted, on condition
that they leave Newfoundland for other parts, and who select the
United States as their destination; and I have the honor to inform
you that I have lost no time in transmitting a copy of your
representation to the proper department of her Majesty’s
government.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams
Foreign Office,
April 24, 1865.
Sir: With reference to your letter of
October last relative to some discharged convicts from Newfoundland
who received public aid to quit the colony, and made use of that aid
to proceed to the United States, I have the honor to inform you that
a despatch has been received
[Page 333]
from the governor of Newfoundland stating that he will do his
best to prevent, so far as depends upon the government, the
recurrence of any similar grounds of complaint.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
