Charles R. Lowell to Granville Leveson-Gower, December 23, 1882

Mr. Lowell to Lord Granville.

My Lord: I have to apologize for not replying sooner to the note which Mr. Lister was kind enough to address me on your lordship’s behalf on the 16th ultimo, informing me that instructions had been sent to Her Majesty’s consul-general at Tunis, to promote the wishes of Mr. Corcoran, communicated through the Department of State, in relation to the removal of the remains of the late John Howard Payne to the United States.

Your lordship was so good as to say that upon learning the result of Mr. Reade’s application to the Tunisian authorities you would write me again upon the subject.

I have now to say that the gentlemen who have assumed the charge of this matter desire, if possible, that the body when exhumed should be sent by water from Tunis to Marseilles, when the United States consul, acting under instructions of the Department, will receive it and forward it to the United States.

Mr. Frelinghuysen requests me to ask your lordship, if, in furtherance of the purpose you have so promptly aided, you will be so kind as to instruct Her Majesty’s consul-general at Tunis, to endeavor to have Mr. Payne’s remains shipped from Tunis to Marseilles, consigned to Mr. Horace A. Taylor, consul of the United States at that port. I beg to repeat that all expenses incurred will be borne by the Department of State in behalf of Mr. W. W. Corcoran, and I am directed to say to your lordship that any drafts and accounts for expenses of disinterment, casing and shipping which the British consul at Tunis may send to Washington, either directly or through Her Majesty’s foreign office, will be met at once. If that officer desires to draw at once for reimbursement, his draft should tie upon “the Secretary of State of the United States at five days’ sight.”

I am also directed to renew the thanks of my Government to your lordship for the courtesy which you have already shown in this matter.

I have, &c.,