Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of your dispatch No. 2115, of the 25th of December, relative to the case of Ricord OS. Burke.
Mindful of the limitation placed upon me by the terms of your telegram I determined to authorize Mr. Morse, the consul at this place, carefully to investigate the matter, and, without committing the government to bear all charges in the way that has led to such great expense at Dublin, to promise such funds as may be expected to answer all useful purposes. He reported to me a day or two since that he had arranged the matter at a limit of £150. This, however, was based on the expectation tha [Page 137] the trial would be held in London. Since then the preliminary examinations have been closed, and the prisoner has been held over to take his trial at Warwick. Whether this will make any difference in the cost of retaining the best counsel I do not yet know.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.