Office of the Historian

No. 319.
Mr. Lowell to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
London, April 7, 1881. (Received April 20.)
No. 154.]

Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 147, of the 25th ultimo, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of Mr. Boyton’s letter in reply to one which I addressed to him on that day, a transcript of which I forwarded in that dispatch, and also of my answer to the same.

I have, &c.,

J. R. LOWELL.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 154.]

Mr. Boyton to Mr. Lowell.

Kilmainham Prison.
Dublin, March 31, 1881.

Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, which came to my hands opened and inspected. I have already informed you that this was the case with your previous communications.

In reply, I beg to say that I am not in a position to verify your quotation of the law of the United States, nor do I admit your construction of it. To me it seems simply absurd that the United State Congress should have enacted a law in recognition of the foreign-born defenders of the Union, entitling them to well-earned rights of citizenship, and deliberately overlooking or ignoring the thousands of brave men whose accomplishments on sea and shore, both in the Navy and Naval brigades, were equal to any service rendered by the armies, regular or volunteer. Without abandoning any grounds upon which I have claimed, or now claim, the protection to which I am lawfully entitled as a free citizen of the United States, I now ask you, sir, to inform me definitely whether you decline to accept the passport issued to me by Mr. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State, in November, 1866, as evidence of my American citizenship.

Your obedient servant,

M. P. BOYTON.

His Excellency J. R. Lowell,
U. S. Minister, Legation of the United States, London.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 154.]

Mr. Lowell to Mr. Boyton.

Legation of the United States,
London, April 2, 1881.

Sir: For reasons which sufficiently appear in the correspondence which I have already had with you upon the subject, I beg to inform you that I decline to accept the passport issued by Mr. Seward in November, 1866, as evidence of your American citizenship.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

  • J. R. LOWELL.
  • Mr. M. P. Boyton,
    Kilmainham Prison, Dublin.
[Page 525]

Application of Michael P. Boyton for a passport.

United States of America.
District of Columbia, City and County of Washington, ss:

I, Michael P. Boyton, do swear that I was born in the State of New York, on or about the 5th day of September, 1844; that I am a native and loyal citizen of the United States, and about to travel abroad.

M. P. BOYTON.

Sworn to before me this 20th day of November, 1866.

A. TUNSTALL WELCH
,
Notary Public.

I do swear that I am acquainted with the above-named M. P. Boyton, and with the facts above stated by him, and that the same are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

B. F. MULLEN
.

Sworn to before me this 20th day of November, 1866.

A. TUNSTALL WELCH
,
Notary Public.

Description of M. P. Boyton: Age 22 years; stature, 5 feet 8 inches, English; forehead, high; eyes, gray; nose, ordinary; mouth, medium; chin, broad; hair, brown; complexion fair; face, broad.

United States of America,
District of Columbia, City and County of Washington ss:

I, Michael P. Boyton, do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign, and that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution or law of any State, convention, or legislature to the contrary notwithstanding; and, further, that I do this with a full determination, pledge, and purpose, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever; and, further, that I will well and faithfully perform all the duties which may be required of me by law: So help me God.

M. P. BOYTON.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of November, 1866.

A. TUNSTALL WELCH,
Notary Public.