Charles R. Lowell to Fred’k T. Frelinghuysen, November 15, 1884

No. 148. Mr. Lowell to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: Referring to your instruction No. 974, of the 8th September last, I have now the honor to inclose a report, drawn up, under my supervision, by Mr. Henry White, one of the secretaries of this legation, on the subject of unclaimed estates in England, which, I believe, covers the whole field of inquiry.

I hope it may be of some use in saving the money of those foolish dupes in the United States who have not already thrown it away in the worse than useless pursuit of imaginary fortunes in Great Britain. They might as well seek to recover possession of a castle in Spain through the intervention of our minister to that country,

I may as well mention that in a letter received within a few days with relation to a non-existent estate here there was inclosed a lithographed circular in the name of an equally non-existent firm of solicitors. I have already communicated with the police in respect of these swindlers, and have some hope that we may be able to break up one, at least, of these dens of thieves.

I cannot close this dispatch without commending the industry and intelligence shown by Mr. White in performing the task assigned to him, and the highly satisfactory manner in which he has acquitted himself.

I have, &c.,