Hoppin to F. T. Frelinghuysen, October 30, 1882

No. 258. Mr. Hoppin to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: Referring to my No. 641, of the 23d instant, I have the honor to acquaint you that O’Donnell, upon my interview with him on the 22d instant, was unable to tell me when or where his father was naturalized. I omitted to ask him, as I should have done, what was his father’s Christian name, and whether he continued to reside at Janesville, and, if not, where he lived after he removed from there.

As I was informed that he was no longer living, but that Mrs. O’Donnell was residing with some of the family in Ireland, and as it was clearly for the advantage of the son to have the facts as to his father’s naturalization ascertained, I addressed a note to his solicitor, Mr. Guy, on the 24th instant, asking him to aid me in this matter. To this note he replied on the 26th instant. I inclose a copy of this correspondence, by which you will observe that he virtually declines to make the inquiries that I suggested.

As it seems quite certain that the certificate of November 6, 1876, was issued to the prisoner, and not, as I once thought possible, to some other person of the same name, and as the Department of State will probably be governed by the opinion of Attorney-General Williams in Levy’s case (14 Op., 509, 1874, Williams) and in other cases since, that the finding of the court of probate as to the facts and conditions entitling O’Donnell to citizenship had the effect of a judgment and was conclusive, it is perhaps unnecessary to press these inquiries any further. I fear at any rate that I cannot, until after long delay, obtain any additional information in London in regard to the naturalization of the father of the prisoner.

I respectfully request to be instructed whether under these circumstances I shall consider the question of O’Donnell’s American citizenship to be settled in his favor.

I have, &c.,