Hoppin to Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, September 7, 1878

Mr. Hoppin to Lord Salisbury.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 5th instant, informing me of the course that will be taken by Her Majesty’s Government in communicating to Condon and Melody the conditional pardons which have been granted to them, and also stating that Mr. Welsh or any person deputed by him, for whom he would vouch, can obtain permission to see the prisoners.

The only one of the two men for whom we have been instructed to intercede is Condon, and I have to acquaint your lordship that Mr. Welsh, accompanied by the second secretary of this legation, had an interview with Condon at Portland prison on the 28th ultimo. He went to the Continent on the 2d instant, as he has already had the honor of informing your lordship, and will remain there for several weeks, so that he will have no occasion of again availing himself personally of the permission to see Condon.

I beg leave, however, in referring further to this part of your lordship’s note, to say that I have this day received a letter from Mr. W. J. Oliver, the honorary secretary of the “Political Prisoners Visiting Committee”, requesting Mr. Welsh to interest himself to obtain the privilege for the physician of that committee to visit the prisoners prior to their release or at all events before their embarkation.

I have not the pleasure of the acquaintance of any of the gentlemen composing this committee, and my only information respecting its objects and purposes is contained in their secretary’s communication.

I shall, therefore, take no further steps in relation to their note beyond transmitting a copy of it to your lordship, stating at the same time that, although my government has given no instructions on the subject, it will undoubtedly desire that Condon should have all proper medical treatment, sufficient clothing, and a comfortable passage to America, for the expense of all which, in case no other provision should be made, I am authorized by Mr. Welsh to say he will be personally responsible.

I need scarcely add that both Mr. Welsh and myself are fully aware that Her Majesty’s Government, which has already shown such wise clemency in procuring the pardon of Condon, will continue to do all that is just and humane in making the proper preparations for his release.

I have, &c.,