Maria Lynch to Mr. Seward
Sir: I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in asking you to use your influence with the British government in behalf of my brother, Robert B. Lynch, confined in the provincial penitentiary, Kingston, Canada.
I am sorry to say he is this present moment in the hospital, sick. Believe me, sir, you will never do a more humane or a kinder act than to be the means of obtaining his release; he is suffering much from sickness and working at hard labor in the lock factory. I will say, if kept much longer there, he cannot survive very much longer.
I take the liberty of reminding you of your answer to General Rufus King’s application in my brother’s behalf, January last. You were then good enough to mention that Robert B. Lynch should be cared for—which I now hope and trust you will kindly renew—for which you will have the prayers and blessings of all his sorrowing sisters and family for your long life and many happy returns of the approaching season.
I have the honor to remain, sir, your very obedient servant,
To Secretary Seward.