Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward, August 2, 1866

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward

Sir: In connection with your despatch No. 1788, of the 16th of June relating to the imprisonment of T. E. Blackwell in Ireland, I now have the honor to report his discharge, upon the application of Mr. Eastman, consul a Queenstown, on condition that he will leave the country at once for the Unite States.

The policy of liberating the persons arrested under the act suspending the habeas corpus, is now steadily prosecuted. Mr. West reports to me, almost daily, cases of persons naturalized in the United States, who are released, on the application, subject to the condition above stated. Several of them appear greatly discontented at their failure to create a misunderstanding between the two countries in regard to what they call their wrongful detention; but I have not yet heard of one person who had persevered in refusing his freedom. There is little doubt, in my own mind, that nearly all were more or less privy to the Fenian organization, and came out to further its designs.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,