Legation of
the United States,
London, January 2, 1883.
(Received January 15.)
No. 471.]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 471.]
Mr. Lowell to Lord
Granville.
Legation of the United States,
London, December 23,
1882.
My Lord: I have to apologize for not replying
sooner to the note which Mr. Lister was kind enough to address me on
your lordship’s behalf on the 16th ultimo, informing me that
instructions had been sent to Her Majesty’s consul-general at Tunis, to
promote the wishes of Mr. Corcoran, communicated through the Department
of State, in relation to the removal of the remains of the late John
Howard Payne to the United States.
Your lordship was so good as to say that upon learning the result of Mr.
Reade’s application to the Tunisian authorities you would write me again
upon the subject.
I have now to say that the gentlemen who have assumed the charge of this
matter desire, if possible, that the body when exhumed should be sent by
water from Tunis to Marseilles, when the United States consul, acting
under instructions of the Department, will receive it and forward it to
the United States.
Mr. Frelinghuysen requests me to ask your lordship, if, in furtherance of
the purpose you have so promptly aided, you will be so kind as to
instruct Her Majesty’s consul-general at Tunis, to endeavor to have Mr.
Payne’s remains shipped from Tunis to Marseilles, consigned to Mr.
Horace A. Taylor, consul of the United States at that port. I beg to
repeat that all expenses incurred will be borne by the Department of
State in behalf of Mr. W. W. Corcoran, and I am directed to say to your
lordship that any drafts and accounts for expenses of disinterment,
casing and shipping which the British consul at Tunis may send to
Washington, either directly or through Her Majesty’s foreign office,
will be met at once. If that officer desires to draw at once for
reimbursement, his draft should tie upon “the Secretary of State of the
United States at five days’ sight.”
I am also directed to renew the thanks of my Government to your lordship
for the courtesy which you have already shown in this matter.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 471.]
Lord Granville to
Mr. Lowell.
Foreign
Office, December 30,
1882.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your note
of the 23d instant, relating to the exhumation and transmission to
Marseilles of the body of the late Mr. John Howard Payne, and I beg
leave to inform you that I have this day telegraphed the purport of your
communication to Her Majesty’s consul-general at Tunis, with
instructions to comply with the wishes of your Government in this
matter.
I have, &c.,
