Mr. Moran to Mr. Seward
Sir: Lord Stanley received me at the Foreign Office at 1 o’clock on the 9th instant, when I read to him your dispatch No. 14, of the 22d of June, and the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 15th of that month, requesting the President of the United States to take such measures as shall appear proper to secure the release from imprisonment of Messrs. Warren and Costello.
His lordship appeared to be prepared for some such communication. He listened very attentively as I read, and when I had concluded said [Page 323] he would be pleased to have copies of the papers. I placed them in his hands, when he asked if I expected a formal reply at the moment, suggesting at the same time that his answer should take the usual diplomatic course and go through Mr. Thornton at Washington. I said I presumed his lordship would prefer to adopt that mode, and I should not therefore expect his answer then.
We had a short conversation on the prospect of an early arrangement between the two nations of the question of expatriation, in which his lordship repeated substantially the views he expressed to me at our conference on this subject on the 15th of June, and which views I reported to the department in my dispatch No. 53, of the 16th of that month.
In the course of the conversation he briefly referred to that part of the resolution of the House of Representatives in which it is stated that Messrs. Warren and Costello were convicted and sentenced in Great Britain for words and acts spoken in the United States, observing that he thought the statement an error. His recollection was that they were members of the Jacmel expedition, were arrested in Ireland on landing from that vessel, and were tried for acts against the Crown committed in that country. But he would inquire and make himself acquainted with the facts before replying to your dispatch. Personally he is disposed to deal leniently with them, and the government shares in this feeling.
Nothing was said as to when his lordship’s answer would be ready, but I inferred from his manner, winch was very friendly throughout, that it would be sent with as little delay as possible. My impression is that it will go forward to Mr. Thornton to-day.
The republication here of your dispatch No. 14, from the American newspapers, has prompted some editorial comment in the English and Irish press; and as bearing in some measure upon it, Mr. John Stuart Mill has given notice to the chief secretary of state for Ireland that he will on Monday, next ask whether the government would not take into their favorable consideration the question whether the time has not arrived when the very heavy sentences which have been passed on Messrs. Warren and Costello should be remitted or mitigated. I trust the answer will be in the affirmative.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.