Boyton to J. R. Lowell , U. S, March 31, 1881

Mr. Boyton to Mr. Lowell.

Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, which came to my hands opened and inspected. I have already informed you that this was the case with your previous communications.

In reply, I beg to say that I am not in a position to verify your quotation of the law of the United States, nor do I admit your construction of it. To me it seems simply absurd that the United State Congress should have enacted a law in recognition of the foreign-born defenders of the Union, entitling them to well-earned rights of citizenship, and deliberately overlooking or ignoring the thousands of brave men whose accomplishments on sea and shore, both in the Navy and Naval brigades, were equal to any service rendered by the armies, regular or volunteer. Without abandoning any grounds upon which I have claimed, or now claim, the protection to which I am lawfully entitled as a free citizen of the United States, I now ask you, sir, to inform me definitely whether you decline to accept the passport issued to me by Mr. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State, in November, 1866, as evidence of my American citizenship.

Your obedient servant,