Charles R. Lowell to Consul-General Merritt, February 10, 1882

Mr. Lowell to Consul-General Merritt.

Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of your letter of the 8th instant, in relation to the case of Michael Hart, now imprisoned in Clonmel jail, and its inclosures, viz, a letter from Mr. Dawson, United States vice-consul at Queenstown; one from Mr. Hart to Mr. Dawson, and Mr. Hart’s certificate of naturalization.

Mr. Hart has been arrested under the so-called “coercion act,” and he appears to think that the fact of his being an American citizen entitles him to immediate release.

This is not, however, my opinion. The principles upon which I have based my action in all cases of applications like that of Mr. Hart’s are those upon which our government has acted and in case of need would act again.

I think it important that all such persons should be made to understand distinctly that they cannot be Irishmen and Americans at the same time, as they seem to suppose, and that they are subject to the operation of the laws of the country in which they choose to live.

The vice-consul at Queenstown should inform himself of the facts in Mr. Hart’s case, and ascertain whether there be any peculiar hardship in it which would make it an exception, calling for immediate and energetic protest. In that case it would be necessary for him to send me a full statement of the case, with whatever confirmatory or illustrative evidence it is possible to obtain. But if his case is like that of the ordinary “suspects,” I see no reason why I should intervene.

I return Mr. Hart’s and Mr. Dawson’s letters, and Mr. Hart’s certificate of naturalization.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,