Featherstone to Charles R. Lowell, April 6, 1883

T. Featherstone to Mr. Lowell.

Sir: I wish to lay before you the subjoined summary of facts:

On the 29th ultimo, in this city, I was arrested by a police officer in charge of a posse, and who, without any proof or warrant of authority, seized and examined my person and luggage, and at the same time directly charged me with conspiring to murder Government officials. On the following day I was brought before a magistrate, and without any testimony being adduced, I was formally remanded for eight days. On yesterday, the 6th instant, I was brought up, this time in the prison examination room, and again without any evidence given was remanded for eight days more.

Now, then, I wish to impress upon you the fact that I am a bona fide citizen of the United States and belong to the State of Illinois, and am a constituent of the fifth Congressional district, General Grant’s own district. I belong to Stephenson County, distant about 20 miles from Galena, the general’s home, and have been a school teacher in that part, as well as recently being connected with the press of Northern Illinois and Saint Louis. I have been traveling in the country and England during the past seven months, and have avoided, as much as possible, mingling with the political parties here, and never received any attention from the Government officials until this time. The suddenness with which this coup has been executed has completely disturbed my calculations. Moreover, as I was preparing to leave for the United States when seized upon and cast into durance vile, indeed I might add I had intended leaving in February, but the tempestuous predictions of the New York Herald deterred me, and, besides, I was speculating on preparing something for the exhibition.

I need not tell you how easy it is now to trump up a charge, thereby imperiling the liberties of men in this country. In this fever of excitement innocent lives are sacrificed, and in order to secure fair play I appeal to you, our representative at this side, to extend to me the protection of my Government. It has been said, but I doubt it, that you have been apathetic in protecting Americans in their rights, and that any such doubts should disappear I hope there will be no reason to impute in my case. Would it be too much to ask you to come and see me, or send one of your subordinates, that I may lay a plain and complete statement of the case before him?

Hoping soon to hear favorably from you,

I remain, &c.,