Office of the Historian

No. 247.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Lowell.

Department of State,
Washington, October 5, 1883.
No. 677.]

Sir: I inclose therewith a copy of a letter from Hon. John F. Finerty, with its inclosure, and a copy of my reply in relation to the defense of Patrick O’Donnell, accused of the murder of James Carey.

You will ascertain whether O’Donnell is a citizen of the United States, and if so, you will do whatever is necessary to secure his proper defense. This you would do, of course, without instructions.

I am, &c.,

FBED’K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 677.]

Mr. Finerty to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

The Citizen, No. 162 La Salle Street, &c.,
Chicago, September 27, 1883.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herein a resolution adopted at a meeting of Chicago citizens in reference to the approaching trial in England of Patrick O’Donnell, accused of the killing of James Carey, the informer.

There appears to be no doubt that O’Donnell is a bona fide citizen of the United States and therefore, is entitled to the privilege of defense usual in such cases.

I have great pleasure in seconding the resolution as presented by the committee.

Respectfully,

JOHN F. FINERTY,
Representative Second Congressional District, Illinois.

The Hon. Secretary of State,
Washington, D. C.

[Inclosure.]
The Citizen, No. 162 La Salle Street, &c.,
Chicago, September 25, 1883.

Dear Sir: The undersigned were appointed a committee to wait on you and present the following resolution passed at a large and influential meeting of Irish-American citizens in this city:

“Resolved, That P. W. Dunne, J. F. Scanlan, D. F. Gleeson, D. O’Sullivan, and T. P. O’Conner be appointed a committee to wait upon Hon. J. F. Finerty to request [Page 460] him to communicate with the Secretary of State to ascertain what measures, if any, the Government of the United States is disposed to take to have O’Donnell, as an American citizen, properly defended at his forthcoming trial for the alleged killing of the informer Carey, and to urge upon the Secretary of State the necessity for immediate action by the United States Government to vindicate the right of citizen O’Donnell to a fair trial, as provided for under international law existing between this country and Great Britain.”

Soliciting your prompt attention,

Very respectfully,

  • P. W. DUNNE.
  • DAN. O’SULLIVAN.
  • T. P. O’CONNER.
  • JNO. F. SCANLAN.
  • D. F. GLEESON.
  • Hon. John F. Finerty.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 677.]

Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Finerty.

Department of State,
Washington, October 3, 1883.

Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, inclosing a resolution adopted at a meeting of Chicago citizens in reference to the approaching trial of Patrick O’Donnell in England, said to be a citizen of the United States.

A copy of your letter with its inclosure will be communicated to our minister in London, and he will be instructed to ascertain whether O’Donnell is a citizen of the United States, and if so, to do what is necessary to secure his proper defense.

It is not doubted that the accused will receive a fair trial according to the usual forms of law, which in England are substantially those in force in this country, and that any proper aid to that end which it is within their power to furnish will be given by the representatives of the United States in London. Such aid would be given as a matter of course, without specific instructions from this Department, to any American citizen accused of crime in any foreign country where this Government is represented.

I am, &c.,

FRED’K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.

Hon. John F. Finerty,
Chicago, Ill.