Mr. Adee to Mr. Choate.
Washington, August 27, 1901.
Sir: Your No. 640, of the 14th instant, transmitting the petition of Charles Lillywhite, a naturalized citizen of the United States, for compensation from the British Government for his long and unjust detention on suspicion of being another person who stands charged with murder, has been received.
You indicate that the home secretary and the Marquis of Lansdowne are favorably disposed toward “the idea of compensating the petitioner for his long and unjust imprisonment, and you express the opinion that diplomatic interposition in favor of Lillywhite would be of great benefit to him.
Under the circumstances, you are instructed to present Mr. Lilly-white’s petition officially to the principal secretary of state for foreign affairs and to ask that such compensation be granted petitioner as may be just and equitable, in accordance with his prayer.
Mr. Lillywhite annexes only an uncertified copy of his certificate of naturalization to his petition. You will demand to see the original which he offers to produce if required.
No such case as the one under discussion is known to the Department.
In accordance with your request, the original petition is herewith returned.
I am, etc.,