Orth to William. H. Seward, January 14, 1867

Mr. Orth to Mr. Seward.

Dear Sir: I enclose you a letter from Mr. O’Connell, one of my constituents, in reference to the imprisonment of his son, Charles Underwood O’Connell, formerly a captain in our army, and a citizen of the United States,.now imprisoned in Great Britain on charge of complicity with the Fenian movement. Also a letter from honorable George Clifton, governor of Portland prison, &c.

I desire to submit these letters to your department, with the suggestion that probably the friendly interposition of our government in Captain O’Connell’s behalf might result in restoring to his family a gallant soldier of the republic, who may have been guilty of an indiscretion against the government of Great Britain; or if of crime, that it is already sufficiently expiated.

Respectfully,