BROOKS, Consul, &c to Samuel B. Badeau, June 15, 1881

Mr. Brooks to Mr. Badeau.

Sir: About two weeks ago I received a “personal” letter from Mrs. Bridget O’Mahoney, of Ballydehob, county Cork, Ireland, informing me of the arrest of her husband, Mr. Henry O’Mahoney, under the coercion act, and requesting interference on my part to secure for him a speedy trial, &c., on the ground that he is an American citizen.

I treated this communication, and several others that followed from the same source, as personal and unofficial, and explained to Mrs. O’Mahoney that no interference by me could possibly effect the result she sought. At the same time I offered any assistance I could properly and legally render in the premises. In due course she forwarded to me a certificate of her husband’s naturalization to be a citizen of the United States, a copy of which is inclosed herewith.

Meanwhile I made inquiries in a private way regarding O’Mahoney’s status, from which I am led to infer that he possibly went to the United States last year for the purpose of taking out the naturalization papers referred to. I think it quite probable that very soon I will have positive proof of the truth of this inference. Of course, any further inference as to O’Mahoney’s proceedings must be based upon whatever additional proof I may obtain regarding his intentions in renewing his citizenship in the United States after the lapse of sixteen years since his alleged service in the American Navy.

I add that he was one of the most popular of the Land League leaders in his country-side, and that during the “famine” of 1880 was very efficient in relieving the distress of his neighbors.

From this stand-point he was most assuredly a reputable person, and one of whom every one in the locality of his “home,” as he calls it, at Ballydehob, speaks in terms of highest praise.

On the other hand, or viewed from the stand-point of the police authorities, he appears to have been a very violent, unscrupulous, and dangerous agitator.

This statement is the result in brief of my personal and unofficial investigation of the case, during which I have carefully avoided saying or doing anything calculated to commit myself or the Government of the United States. Now, however, I am in receipt of a letter, a copy of which is inclosed, from Mr. O’Mahoney in person, asking an interview with me, which I have promised to give him on Tuesday next under permission of the authorities.

I have addressed this to you for the purpose of giving you the earliest information in the premises, and of enabling you to apprise the legation in London of all the facts in the case, if in your judgment they are of sufficient importance to he laid before Mr. Lowell.

Awaiting instructions, I am, sir, your obedient servant,