Mr. Hill to Mr.
Choate.
Department of State,
Washington, April 30,
1901.
No. 620.]
Sir: I inclose a copy of a letter from Frank
Lawrence, from which it appears that Harry Wood, a native American
citizen, is now a prisoner [Page 472] of
war, held at Ragama Camp, in Ceylon, and is sick with enteric fever and
not able well to bear the rigors and restrictions of the life of a
prisoner.
You will inquire whether, in view of Mr. Wood’s health, it may not be
possible to release him on parole on condition that he return to the
United States, his family furnishing the passage money.
I am, etc.,
David J. Hill,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Lawrence to
Mr. Hay.
New
York, April 26,
1901.
Dear Sir: Mr. John Elderkin, of this city,
has very kindly consented to give me a letter of introduction to
you, which I inclose with this letter, requesting your aid in my
efforts to procure the release of my friend, Harry Wood, late of
Washington, who is a son of the late John Thornton Wood of that
city, who is now a British prisoner of war at the Ragama camp, in
Ceylon. As my friend, Mr. Elderkin, explains, Mr. Wood was taken
prisoner while sick in the hospital at Barberton, in the Transvaal,
in September last. He was then suffering from enteric fever, and is
in consequence in a very debilitated condition and totally unfitted
to endure the rigors of even the best camp life. His family informed
me that his treatment is very far from good, although, as his
letters are censored, he is unable to enter into the details of his
hardships. He does write, however, that the food supplied is quite
unfitted for one in his condition, and that he was unable for seven
weeks to obtain a stamp for the purpose of writing home.
He is an American citizen of native birth. It is not known definitely
whether he was bearing arms against the British, nor whether they
are prepared to maintain this. If his release upon parole can be
obtained, his family will be very glad to deposit sufficient money
with the British authorities to defray the expense of his return
home. Mr. Wood is a gentleman, and his word can be relied upon.
I do not know just what may be done in the matter, but if your
excellency can inform me as to the best course to pursue, and will
make such representations to the proper British authorities as your
excellency may deem most advisable, it will be a great favor both to
me and to Mr. Wood and a great relief to his family, who are sorely
troubled as to his condition.
Respectfully, yours,
[Subinclosure.]
Mr. Elderkin to
Mr. Hay.
New
York, April 26,
1901.
Dear Sir: I take the liberty of giving this
letter to my friend, Mr. Frank Lawrence, of this city, who is
desirous of obtaining the release of Harry Wood, an American
citizen, late a resident of Washington, D. C., and son of John
Thornton Wood, who at the time of his death was one of the editors
of the North American Review. Probably Mr. John Thornton Wood was
known to you, as he was a resident of Washington.
The son, Harry Wood, who is about 26 years of age, joined a body of
Americans who went from New York to Delagoa Bay and from there
crossed to the Transvaal and joined the Boers. He was made a
prisoner by the British when sick of enteric fever in the hospital
at Barberton in September last and was taken to Colombo, Ceylon, and
is now in the Ragama camp, near that city. He is still sick and
suffering for want of many necessities for one in his debilitated
condition. His family are anxious to secure his parole and release,
and are willing to furnish money to pay his passage to America. Mr.
Frank Lawrence, who is a friend of Mr. Wood’s family, as asked me to
write and ask you for such assistance as the State Department can
render in the case. If you will be so good as to interest yourself
in the matter and inform Mr. Lawrence what steps are necessary in
order to obtain Mr. Harry Wood’s release, you will confer a personal
favor upon me.
Sincerely, yours,
