Mr. Moran to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have lately received a note from Mr. Morrish, the governor of the convict prison at Millbank, in this place, inclosing, at the request of Colonel John Warren, an order to enable me, J. F. Maguire, esq., M. P., and Colonel F. Anderson, of New York, to visit him there at our convenience, and asking me to communicate on the subject with the gentlemen above named. This I did privately. Colonel Anderson declined to attend; Mr. Maguire expressed his readiness to go, although he had no acquaintance with Colonel Warren, and could not very well understand why he should be sent for. As the practice of the legation in such cases has always been to ask the consuls to appoint some one in their offices to pay these visits, I requested Mr. Morse to be so good as to send Mr. Nunn, his deputy consul, in my place, to which proposal he at once assented.
Mr. Nunn and Mr. Maguire accordingly saw Colonel Warren, in the presence of the governor, on Wednesday last, for about 20 minutes. He appeared to be under the impression that the United States Senate, as well as the House of Representatives, had passed a resolution instructing the President to effect his early release. But he was told what the real state of the case was, and that the government was using all proper measures to serve him. This fact he was gratified to receive from a reliable source, although impatient at his detention. Next to learning what was being done for his release, his object in asking the interview seemed to be the very natural one of a person in his position, of having an opportunity, however brief, of conversing with persons from the outer world.
In view of the interest felt at home in Colonel Warren’s case, I have thought it proper to mention this incident to you, although it is not very important in itself.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.