Garrett Commerford to William H. Seward, March 20, 1866

Mr. Commerford to Mr. Seward.

Sir: The undersigned, a citizen of Massachusetts, and of the United States, would most respectfully represent that his son, John A. Commerford, a citizen of Lowell, and of the United States, in company with him, sailed in November last for Ireland, on a visit to our kindred and relatives, intending to return in February last; that our return tickets were secured before leaving New York; that my son was not connected with the Fenian movements in the United States, nor was he complicated with them while in Ireland, as appears from the affidavits connected herewith, and to the import of which you are respectfully referred.

And I further state that my son, about the middle of February last, was seized by the British authorities in Dublin, and lodged in the Kilmainham jail near Dublin, Ireland, and held, and is still held, a close prisoner without law or right.

Wherefore I pray you to interpose the authority of the government of the United States, and demand the release of my son, John A. Commerford, from confinement.

And I pray you that this may be speedily done, that he may return to his own country and home.

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I, Garrett Commerford, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, on oath say, that I have resided in said Lowell rising thirty years; that since I have resided in Lowell, I had a son, John A. Commerford, born to me, now twenty-eight years of age, and is a citizen of the United States. He served three years in the 3d Massachusetts cavalry; when discharged, he held a commission as captain and major by brevet.

On the 11th of November last, in company with myself, he sailed for Ireland, solely for the purpose of visiting our connections on that side of the water. I was with my son a large part of the time while in Ireland. We had about completed our visit, and had made arrangements to return to Massachusetts, and our passage tickets had been both secured. On about the 17th of February last, my son John was arrested by the police of the city of Dublin, (Ireland,) and thrown into prison, and now remains incarcerated in the Kilmainham jail.

And I further certify that my purpose, and my son’s purpose, so far as I have any knowledge or belief, or suspicion even, was solely to visit our friends in the old country.

My son, Captain John A. Commerford, was not connected in any way with the Fenian movement in this country, before he sailed for Ireland. He was not a delegate to the order there, nor did he sail with any purpose to connect himself with it there, or to hinder or obstruct the British government in its authority over the Irish people. He was, therefore, illegally arrested, and is illegally restrained of his liberty.

And I further certify that I sailed for New York on the first day of March, instant, and arrived in Lowell on Friday last; and my son would have been with me, had he not been arrested.

And I further certify that both of our return tickets were purchased in New York before we started; and that the said John was not connected with the Fenian agitation in Ireland while he remained there, so far as I have any knowledge or belief.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex County, ss:

Then personally appeared Garrett Commerford, whom I certify to be a credible and respectable person, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed before me.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and official seal notarial, at my office in the city of Lowell, in said county, on the day and year aforesaid, to wit, March 20, 1866.

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I, John Lennon, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, on oath say, that I know Captain John A. Commerford, of said Lowell; he is a brother-in-law of mine. He served three years in the 3d Massachusetts cavalry. In November last he sailed for Ireland, in company with his father, about seventy years of age. They both went to Ireland solely for the purpose of a visit to their relatives and friends there.

Captain Commerford was not in any way connected with the Fenian organization here before he left, and did not go with any intent to connect himself with the movement in Ireland. I knew that it was the intent of the father and son both to return to this country in the month of February, and I understood he had purchased his return tickets in New York before he sailed. I received letters from him, and read others written while he was absent, and there was nothing in them indicating that he was interesting himself in anything but his visit and travels, and nothing tended to show he was in any way connected with the Fenian agitation in Ireland.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex county, ss:

Then personally appeared John Lennon, whom I certify to be a respectable and credible person, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed before me.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal notarial, at my office in the city of Lowell, in said county, on the day and year aforesaid.

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I, Matthew Donovan, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath say, that I know John A. Commerford, of Lowell.

I started with him and his father, in November, A. D. 1865, to visit our friends in Ireland. His object was solely to see and visit his father’s relatives, intending to return in February or March. I was with Mr. Commerford in Ireland, up to the 25th of December last, and know he was not connected with the Fenian organization while I was there, or in any way a promoter of that agitation, up to that period.

I know also that Mr. Commerford was not connected with that organization here, and was not a delegate or representative of the subject-matters discussed by them.

Had Mr. Commerford not been arrested, he would have returned before this, as he had pur chased a return ticket in New York, before he started from the United States.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex County, ss:

Then personally appeared Matthew Donovan, whom I certify to be a respectable and credible person, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed, be fore me.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and official seal notarial, at my office in the city of Lowell, in said county, on the day and year aforesaid.