Frederick T. Frelinghuysen to John F. Finerty , Chicago, Ill, October 3, 1883

Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Finerty.

Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, inclosing a resolution adopted at a meeting of Chicago citizens in reference to the approaching trial of Patrick O’Donnell in England, said to be a citizen of the United States.

A copy of your letter with its inclosure will be communicated to our minister in London, and he will be instructed to ascertain whether O’Donnell is a citizen of the United States, and if so, to do what is necessary to secure his proper defense.

It is not doubted that the accused will receive a fair trial according to the usual forms of law, which in England are substantially those in force in this country, and that any proper aid to that end which it is within their power to furnish will be given by the representatives of the United States in London. Such aid would be given as a matter of course, without specific instructions from this Department, to any American citizen accused of crime in any foreign country where this Government is represented.

I am, &c.,