Mr. Adee to Mr.
Choate.
Department of State,
Washington
,
October 1,
1901
.
No. 736.]
Sir: I inclose herewith a copy of a letter of
the 23d ultimo from the Hon. W. A. Clark, United States Senator, with
inclosure from Mr. Patrick Lennon, who states that he is a citizen of
the United States and was formerly resident in Montana, and after
emigrating to South Africa was made a prisoner by the British at
Johannesburg and is now detained as such at Camp Ragama, Ceylon.
Mr. Lennon claims to have been a noncombatant, “carefully observing all
the terms of Lord Roberts’s proclamation.”
The Department would be pleased to have you inquire into the matter and
report the facts in the case.
I am, etc.,
Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure]
Mr. Clark to
Mr. Hay.
United States Senate,
Washington
,
September 23,
1901
.
My Dear Sir: Inclosed please find a
communication dated at Ragama Camp, Ceylon, August 10, 1901, from
Patrick Lennon, who alleges that he is an American citizen and a
legal resident of Butte, Mont., and a constituent of mine. It will
be observed that Mr. Lennon states that he has been a citizen of
Montana for twelve years, voting regularly in Silverbow County, and
that his wife and family are still residents of Butte. Also, details
the circumstances under which he has become a prisoner of war and is
detained in the camp at Ragama by the English authorities.
I respectfully refer to you Mr. Lennon’s letter for your
consideration and whatever action the Department of State may think
proper to take.
Very respectfully,
[Page 478]
[Subinclosure.]
Mr. Lennon to
Mr. Clark.
Ragama Camp, Ceylon
,
August 10, 1901
.
Dear Sir: I take the liberty of placing
before you the circumstances under which I, a citizen of Montana,
became and still remain a prisoner of war in the hands of the
English, in the hope that you will be able to move the Government to
interest itself for my release.
I had been a citizen of Montana for twelve years, voting regularly in
Silverbow County, and my wife and family are still residents of
Butte; but in March, 1897, I proceeded to the Transvaal mines, being
employed at the Rose Deep Gold Mining Company. I was in the country
at the time of the British occupation of Johannesburg and was, of
course, compelled to secure a pass from the military governor
authorizing me to pass freely to and from my work. This pass I duly
paid for and received, continuing to observe carefully all the terms
of Lord Roberts’s proclamations; but notwithstanding all this, I was
suddenly arrested some four months after the occupation of
Johannesburg and thrown into the fort as a prisoner of war.
I presented my American citizenship papers, but the officer in
command refused to recognize them and hinted that he did not believe
them to be actually mine, so took them from me. I have since
procured certified copies. Later on I was told that I might regain
my liberty either by putting up £500 ($2,500 bail, or by taking the
oath of allegiance to the British, but I refused both alternatives
and was transported to Ceylon, where I am now detained in this camp
at Ragama. I am thus deprived of my liberty and unable to attend to
the requirements of my wife and family.
You would confer a great obligation upon me if you would interest
yourself in repairing the injustice under which I am suffering.
I am, etc.,
