Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. F. W. Seward to Mr. Adams

No. 1906.]

Department of State, Washington, June 4, 1867.

Sir: I enclose herewith a copy of a letter of the 24th ultimo, addressed to this department by James A. Hamilton, esq., son of the late Alexander Hamilton, in behalf of John McClure, a prisoner in Ireland, and to whom reference was made in your No. 1369 of the 18th of May.

I will thank you to do what you properly can, with a view to effect the object sought by Mr. Hamilton.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

F. W. SEWARD, Acting Secretary.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Hamilton to Mr. Seward

Nevis, May 24, 1867.

Sir: John McClure, the son of respectable parents, whom I have long known in this neighborhood, recently on trial in Ireland, has pleaded guilty and thrown himself on the mercy of the government.

He went off as a Fenian without the knowledge of his parents. He is under 21 years, served gallantly during the recent rebellion in defence of the United States government. He is a citizen by birth, although his parent is an Irishman naturalized. The father has gone to Cork; the mother is distracted with grief. I am requested to address this letter to you in hope that you may, not in your official but personal character, exercise an influence, perhaps through the English ministry, which will induce a pardon on condition that he will leave Ireland immediately and abjure Fenianism.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

JAMES A. HAMILTON.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.