Mr. Hay to Mr.
Choate.
Department of State,
Washington, October 16,
1900.
No. 469.]
Sir: In connection with my instruction of even
date concerning the reported imprisonment of some 22 American citizens
as prisoners of
[Page 464]
war in the
island of Ceylon, I send you copy of a letter received to-day from the
Hon. George P. Lawrence, a member of Congress from the State of
Massachusetts, commending a request addressed to him by Mr. John J.
Hearn, of Westfield, Mass., that the Department of State move to obtain
the release of his brother, F. M. Hearn, now confined at Diyatalawa
camp, in Ceylon. It is inferred that the prisoner is a citizen of the
United States, but that no misapprehension may exist in this regard Mr.
Lawrence will be asked to procure substantiation of that fact.
You will do what you properly can toward the release of Mr. Hearn, in
company with the other American citizens confined in Ceylon, and to this
end you may make such use as you may deem appropriate of the
consideration that the present time, when hostilities in the Boer
country are practically ended, is propitious for the relief of these
men.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Lawrence to
Mr. Hay.
House of Representatives,
North Adams, Mass., October 13, 1900.
My Dear Sir: I inclose herewith a letter
from Mr. John J. Hearn, of Westfield, Mass., a constituent of mine
of character and standing, who writes to me with reference to the
release of his brother, F. M. Hearn, now a Boer prisoner of war in
the hands of the British. Will you please inform me if anything can
be done by your Department for Mr. Hearn? I shall be glad to have
you do all that you can.
Very truly, yours,
[Subinclosure.]
Mr. Hearn to
Mr. Lawrence.
Westfield, Mass., October 12, 1900.
Dear Sir: As a citizen and voter in your
Congressional district, I respectfully request you to use your
influence with the State Department at Washington to obtain the
release of my brother, F. M. Hearn, now a Boer prisoner of war in
the hands of the British.
He has been a prisoner several months, and is at present at
Diyatalawa camp, Ceylon.
As the war in the Transvaal is practically ended, the United States
Government should have no difficulty in securing his release, in
which event sufficient funds will be forthcoming to bring him back
to this country.
I have been in business in Westfield for several years and can give
you prominent references if you so desire.
Thanking you in advance, etc.,
