OWEN, Attorney at Law , No. 522 Walnut street , Counsel for Complainant to William H. Seward, April 21, 1866

Mr. Owen to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to submit to you the enclosed papers and statement of the grievances of Colonel Michael Kirwan, late of our army, and to ask for your interposition in his behalf with as much expedition as you may judge the circumstances of the case demand at your hands.

Statement.

Colonel Kirwan served with distinction in the cavalry, having entered the service originally as a private in the twenty-fourth regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, which I commanded. In January last, after having been honorably discharged from the service of the United States, he concluded to visit Ireland, his native country, hoping thereby to recuperate his health, which had been much impaired by his arduous duties in the field. Shortly after his arrival there he was arrested by the British government and thrown into prison, where he has remained ever since. He knows not with what crime he is charged, and although he has formally applied for the interference of the American consul, he has thus far failed to obtain his release, the authorities claiming that he is a British subject.

The assumption that he is a subject of Great Britain is based upon the fact that he was born in Ireland. But you will see by reference to the document herewith enclosed that his father, John Kirwan, was admitted to become a citizen of the United States on the 29th day of October, A. D. 1856, while his son, Colonel Michael Kirwan, was under age, (he being but twenty-nine years old at the present time,) who, by the law of the land, became a citizen of the same upon attaining his majority. The government of the United States is, therefore, committed to his protection as such, and in honor bound to claim his release unless he has forfeited its protection by the commission of some crime. He emphatically denies that he has committed any act justifying his arrest; and, moreover, denies that any papers or anything was found upon his person or in his possession tending to implicate him in any revolutionary movement; but that, on the contrary, he was observing the laws of the land, and abstaining from all connection with suspicious persons.

He prays, therefore, that you will cause a demand to be made upon the government of Great Britain for his release from prison; and that you will also demand satisfaction for this great outrage upon a citizen and faithful servant of the republic.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,