BARROWS, United States Consul to the Hon. James Russell Lowell , United States, March 11, 1881

Consul Barrows to Mr. Lowell.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your dispatch of the 9th relating to the case of Michael P. Boyton, now in prison in this city, and who claims to be an American citizen. I proceeded this morning to Kilmainham jail, where Mr. Boyton is confined, and was permitted to visit him, although under the rules he had been allowed to see his quota of visitors for the day. In answer to my questions, Mr. Boyton stated that he was born in Rathangan, eounty Kildare, Ireland, in September, 1846; that his father, with his family of ten children, Michael being the eldest, emigrated to America in 1859, and setted in Pittsburgh; that the father took out naturalization papers in Pittsburgh in 1860; that he, Michael Boyton, entered the United States Navy in 1864, as ship’s yeoman, on board the United States steamer “Hydrangea;” that he served on said vessel for about a year, was transferred to different vessels, and was finally discharged from the sloop-of-war “St. Louis,” at Philadelphia, in May, 1865; that he left America in 1866 for England, and before leaving procured a passport at the Department of State, which is herewith transmitted; that he returned to America in 1868; that he again left America in 1874, and resided at London for five years, during which time he conducted an American agency; that he came to Ireland in 1879 for the purpose of adjusting the affairs of his aunt, his only living relative; that since that time he has resided in London and Ireland; that he is associated with the National Land League of Ireland; that the grounds for his arrest are based upon the charge of “inciting divers persons to murder divers other persons”; and that he is innocent of any such intent or thought. I inclose a letter from Mr. Boyton, addressed to yourself, and also a copy in duplicate of the warrant for his arrest. If it is desired, I can procure from the authorities a certified copy of the warrant.

Awaiting your further instructions, I have the honor to be, &c.,