Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1883

No. 250.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Hoppin.

Department of State,
Washington, October 13, 1883.

No. 685.]

Sir: I inclose herewith for your information copies of the correspondence in relation to the request of the Hon. John A. Logan and other members of Congress for a letter from this Department to Mr. Lowell, on behalf of Messrs. W. J. Hynes and W, W. O’Brien, attorneys and counselors of Chicago, who have been selected by many of their fellow-citizens of that city to proceed to London to assist as counsel in the defense of Patrick O’Donnell, accused of the murder of James Carey.

I am, &c.,

FRED’K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 685.]

Messrs. Logan and others to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Chicago, October 7, 1883.

Dear Sir: We herewith inclose a request made to us by a portion of our constituents, to which we most respectfully call your attention.

The attorneys and counselors at law mentioned therein, to wit, the Hon. William J. Hynes and the Hon. William W. O’Brien, are gentlemen of honorable reputation. We therefore beg leave to suggest to the honorable Secretary of State that, if not inconsistent with the proprieties of diplomatic relations, he will be kind enough to furnish the gentlemen named such letters to the American legation in London, authorizing the latter to ask of the proper authorities of Great Britain that these attorneys and counselors at law be extended the courtesy of being permitted to appear in court for and on behalf of Patrick O’Donnell, charged with the murder of James Carey on the high seas, provided said Patrick O’Donnell is a bona fide citizen of the United States, asking that said attorneys and counselors at law may be permitted to appear for him before the court in his defense.

Very respectfully,

• JOHN A. LOGAN.
• GEO. E. ADAMS.
• R. W. DUNHAM.
• JOHN F. FINERTY.
• GEO. R. DAVIS.

Hon. F. T. Frelinghuysen,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Chicago, October 9, 1883.

Sir: As Senator Logan will be out of town for some weeks, the reply of the Department to the inclosed documents may be sent in care of Hon. George E. Adams, M. C, Bryan block, Chicago.

Respectfully,

Secretary of Committee.

The Hon. Secretary of State,
Washington, D. C.

Chicago, Ill., October 6, 1883.

Gentlemen: We, the undersigned, being a committee appointed at a meeting of citizens of the city of Chicago and State of Illinois, and your constituents, respectfully request that you ask the Department of State, at Washington, to furnish Hon. William J. Hynes and Hon. William W. O’Brien, attorneys and counselors at law of this city, with a letter to the American legation in London, England, authorizing the latter to ask of the British authorities the courtesy of allowing the said attorneys and counselors at law to appear for Patrick O’Donnell, now charged with the murder of James Carey on the high seas, and participate in the defense of the accused, if the said Patrick O’Donnell is a bona fide American citizen and sets up that claim.

Very respectfully,

• P. W. DUNNE.
• THOMAS P. O’CONNER.
• JNO. F. SCANLAN.
• D. F. GLEESON.
• JOHN GUERIN.

Hons. John A. Logan, Senator of the United States;
H. W. Dunham,
George H. Davis,
John F. Finerty, and
George E. Adams,
Representatives in Congress.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 685.]

Mr. Frelinghuysen to Messrs. Logan and others.

Department of State,
Washington, October 12, 1883.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, inclosing one addressed to you by several gentlemen of Chicago, constituents of yours, in the interest of Patrick O’Donnell, who is about to be tried in London for the alleged murder of James Carey.

I perceive no objection to giving Messrs. Hynes and O’Brien a letter to Mr. Lowell, the minister of this Government in London, requesting him, on being satisfied that O’Donnell is an American citizen, to do what he properly may in securing such courtesies for these gentlemen as are allowable in connection with the proceedings against him. It is proper to say, however, that I understand from information, unofficially received, that the rule in capital cases in England is to hear only two counsel for the defense, and it is also well known that in that country, as in this, the executive authorities exercise no authority or power whatever in regard to such trial and procedure, and that the whole matter, there as here, rests in the discretion of the court.

It is also understood that in addition to the Hon. A. M. Sullivan, M. P., who has been retained for O’Donnell, two distinguished members of the New York bar, General Pryor and ex-Judge Fullerton, are to take part in the defense.

I inclose, herewith, a letter to Mr. Lowell, to be handed to that minister by Messrs. Hynes and O’Brien.

I have, &c.,

FRED’K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.

Hons. John A. Logan,
George E. Adams,
R. W. Dunham,
John F. Finerty,
George R. Davis,
Chicago, Ill.