Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress, Part I

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams

No. 2139.]

Department of State, Washington, March 6, 1868.

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 5th of February, No. 1531, which relates to the case of Michael McKeen, arrested at Queenstown on suspicion, and subsequently released. Your suggestions concerning the importance of United States citizens who may visit Great Britain being provided with evidences of citizenship, are approved. In this connection, I inclose a copy of an executive order of the 18th ultimo on that subject.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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

[Untitled]

Department of State, Washington, February 18, 1868.

It is recommended to all citizens of the United States, native or naturalized, who have occasion to visit Great Britain or Ireland, to procure passports from this department while the habeas corpus remains suspended in the latter country. Citizens of the United States, unjustly arrested, are liable to be detained without prompt examination until they can procure and produce legal evidence of their citizenship.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.