Charles R. Lowell to Granville Leveson-Gower, November 3, 1882

Mr. Lowell to Lord Granville.

My Lord: At Mr. Frelinghuysen’s request, I have the honor to ask your lordship’s attention to a letter to him from Mr. W. W. Corcoran, a copy of which I inclose. Mr. Corcoran, whose liberality and public spirit are well known in Washington, desires to provide for the disinterment of the remains of John Howard Payne, author of “Home, Sweet Home,” at Tunis, and their removal to the United States for burial. He makes this application to Mr. Frelinghuysen, because Mr. Payne died while acting as the consul of the United States at Tunis, and there being now no descendant or collateral kindred of his who might be consulted on the subject, the Secretary of State seemed to be the proper custodian of his remains.

There is, however, no representative of the United States at Tunis, and on this account Mr. Frelinghuysen asks me to bring the matter to the attention of your lordship, and to suggest, if there should be no objection, that you will kindly request Her Majesty’s consul there to apply to the proper authorities for permission to exhume Mr. Payne’s remains, and to make arrangements for their transportation to the United States.

The Department of State will take charge of the necessary reimbursement when informed of the amount.

I have, &c.,