Mr. Seward to Sir
F. Bruce
Department of State, Washington,
July 16, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to invite your attention
to the enclosed copy of a communication of the 23d ultimo, from James
Diamond, who, it appears, is detained in the old jail at Toronto,
Canada, and is charged with complicity in the late Fenian invasion of
her Majesty’s provinces.
I am induced, by the statement of Mr. Diamond in regard to his arrest, to
commend his case to the early and kind consideration of her Majesty’s
authorities.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
obedient servant,
The Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Diamond to President Johnson
Toronto Old Jail, Canada
West,
June 23, 1866.
Sir: On the morning of the 2d instant I
went over from Buffalo to the Canadian side, hearing of the great
excitement being there. There were a great many went over to see
what was going on. When we were returning we would not be allowed by
a Canadian guard. I went to the United States consul at Fort Erie,
and got a pass from him to cross, but when I presented it to the
corporal of the guard, he took it and went to a higher officer, and
I did not see it from that forth. They arrested me afterwards as
prisoner, (in the name of the Queen,) searched me thoroughly, but
found nothing on me but four likenesses of young men and young women
and a ten-dollar bill, United States money, all of which they kept.
They told me they arrested me on suspicion of being a Fenian. All I
could say would not avail. They sent me to this place, and here I am
since, without any trial, and do not know when we will have any. My
mother and one brother and three sisters are still in Nashville,
Tennessee; the eldest of them is only a little over ten years old. I
am a moulder by trade, and I used to send them all I could spare. I
served in your own old regiment, the tenth Tennessee, for three
years and one month; Captain Joyce was my captain, company B;
Colonel Gilliam our colonel, and when I was discharged by an
honorable discharge, Colonel Scully was our colonel. I afterwards
got my citizenship papers.
Hoping to your honor that you will do something for me to get me out
of this place, I remain your humble servant,
His Excellency President Johnson.
Please write immediately. Direct for James Diamond, (prisoner,)
care of the American consul, Toronto.
