No. 323.
Mr. Blaine
to Mr. Lowell
.
Washington , May 27, 1881.
Sir: I sent you a telegram yesterday in relation to the reported arrest in Ireland of Joseph D’Alton, alleged to be a native born American citizen.
A letter of Mr. Austin L. D’Alton brother of Joseph, is herewith sent you in copy. Its temperate and business like tone leads me to suppose that the assertion of citizenship is better founded than that made in Mr. Boyton’s behalf. I have called upon Mr. Austin L. D’Alton to send me copies of the evidence said to have been already forwarded to Mr. Consul Barrows.
My hypothetical instruction of yesterday’s date, based on the Boyton case, will show you how this Department expects you to treat the D’Alton matter if the citizenship of Mr. Joseph D’Alton shall be satisfactorily established, and if the circumstances of his alleged arrest are such as to call for action.
I am, &c.,