Frederick T. Frelinghuysen to Morgan, January 17, 1884

No. 243. Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Morgan.

Sir: I transmit herewith a copy of a dispatch from the consul at La Paz, of the 19th ultimo, concerning the case of Captain Caleb, late master of the American schooner Adriana. It will be perceived that the Mexican circuit court at Culiacan has confirmed the sentence pronounced upon Captain Caleb by the district court at La Paz, and that he has now to suffer five years’ imprisonment, commencing from the date of his arrest. It is also shown that the Adriana has been sold, and reported that Captain Caleb has, through his attorney, petitioned the President of Mexico for a pardon.

Your familiarity with the facts of Captain Caleb’s arrest, trial, and conviction, from the papers which have from time to time been sent to you, renders unnecessary any extended remarks upon these points. They afford, however, in the judgment of the Department, good and sufficient grounds upon which to present his case anew, with all its attendant circumstances and hardships, to the Mexican Government, in support of the prisoner’s application for a pardon. It is thought also that as a measure of justice to Captain Caleb, who has assuredly suffered much, the President of Mexico might be induced, upon proper representations, to remit the balance of the sentence which that unfortunate man is compelled to undergo.

While not disposed to interfere with the due course of law in Mexico, yet I am induced to believe, from a thorough knowledge of all the facts of Captain Caleb’s case, that the ends of justice will have been sufficiently met by the punishment he has already borne, and that by the exercise of his prerogative in that case the President of Mexico will afford a strong proof of his friendship for this Government and at the same time be guilty of no measure of injustice to his own Government.

You will, therefore, suitably present Captain Caleb’s case to the Mexican Government and invoke executive clemency on his behalf.

I am, &c.,