Charles R. Lowell to Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, January 12, 1883

No. 220. Mr. Lowell to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: Referring to my No. 471 of the 2d instant in relation to the removal of the remains of the late John Howard Payne to the United States, I have the honor to acquaint you that late in the evening of that day I received the following telegram from Mr. Davis, Assistant Secretary:

Have you received news from Tunis relative to Payne’s remains?

I answered this by cable the next day, as follows:

No direct news from Tunis. Lord Granville informed me yesterday he had telegraphed December 30 to consul-general instructions to comply with wishes transmitted in your 506. See my 471.

I sent you a copy of Lord Granville’s letter in my No. 471.

On the 4th instant I received a further note from Lord Granville dated on the 1st, stating that the consul-general at Tunis had telegraphed on the 31st December that the remains would be shipped to Marseilles on the 4th of January.

I immediately telegraphed this information to you as follows:

Lord Granville informs me consul-general Tunis has telegraphed remains will be shipped 4th January, consigned to United States consul, Marseilles.

I have received this morning another letter from his lordship with inclosures giving an account of the exhumation of the remains and their shipment on board of the Charles Quint to the care of Mr. Taylor, the consul at Marseilles.

I inclose copies of such of this correspondence as has not already been transmitted.

I have written to Lord Granville an expression of my thanks for his courtesy and that of the British officials at Tunis in this matter.

I have, &c.,