Patrick Rogers to William B. West, United States, March 15, 1867

Mr. Patrick Rogers to Consul West.

Sir: In your letter bearing date February 22, 1867, to my son John H. Rogers, now in Mountjoy prison, at or near Dublin, you say that in order to avail himself of your services, it will be necessary that he obtain legal proofs of his birth in the United States.

As legal proofs of the birth and citizenship of John H. Rogers in the United States, I have the honor to transmit herewith the following documents, viz:

1. A duly exemplified copy of my certificate of naturalization in the marine court of the city of New York.

2. A true copy of my original application to said court to become a citizen of the United States, duly certified by the clerk of the court, with the seal of the court attached.

3. The affidavit of Mr. Patrick Bagan, setting forth the birth, baptism, citizenship, and parentage of said John H. Rogers, and a certificate of the clerk of the city and county of New York, thereto annexed.

4. My own affidavit setting forth my citizenship, the owning of real estate, which I could not own unless a citizen, or had declared my intention of becoming such; the birth and citizenship of, and the exercise of the elective franchise by, my son John H. Rogers.

5. The affidavit of William I. Bunnell, an inspector of election in the election held in the first district of the fifteenth ward of the city of Brooklyn, November, 1866, setting forth the citizenship, registry of, and exercise of the elective franchise by, John H. Rogers thereat.

6. The affidavit of John Pettinger to the same effect, together with a certificate of the clerk of the county of Kings that the officer administering the oaths was authorized to act.

7. A certificate from the clerk of the city of Brooklyn to the effect that the names of said William I. Bunnell and George Pettinger appear as inspectors of said election, and that the name of John H. Rogers is on the poll-list as a voter.

I may be permitted to state that it is scarcely possible to make out a clearer case of American citizenship, under like circumstances, than that developed and proven in the enclosed papers. You will confer a favor by sending to me your acknowledgment of their receipt by you, and by making such demands for his release, of those in whose custody my son is imprisoned, as the laws of this glorious republic and the honor of our flag demand.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

No. 4.

United States of America, State of New York, County of Kings, City of Brooklyn, ss:

Patrick Rogers, being duly sworn, says that he resides at No. 275 Grand street, in said city, county, and State; and that he is, and for twenty-seven years has been, a duly naturalized citizen of the United States, and an owner of real estate in said county for fifteen years past; and that he is the father of John H. Rogers, now imprisoned in Mountjoy prison, at or near Dublin, Ireland; and that said John H. Rogers was born in the city of New York on the fifteenth day of March, 1839, and on the fifteenth day of March, 1860, became, and now is, a citizen of the United States of America; and that at every election in said city, since the said fifteenth day of March, 1860, the said John H. Rogers exercised the elective franchise by voting thereat, as became his duty as a good and faithful citizen.

PATRICK ROGERS.

Sworn before me this 13th day of March, 1867.

No. 5.

United States of America, State of New York, County of Kings, City of Brooklyn, ss:

William I. Bunnell, being duly sworn, says that he resides at No. 241 South First street, in the fifteenth ward of the city of Brooklyn, and that he knows John H. Rogers, now, imprisoned in Mountjoy prison, at or near Dublin, Ireland; and that said John H. Rogers was, and is, a citizen of the United States of America, is duly registered as a voter according to law, and voted at the election held in said city in November, A.D.1866; and that at said election deponent was a citizen and voted and acted in the capacity of inspector, having been thereto duly appointed to receive votes deposited by citizens in the exercise of the elective franchise, and personally received the vote of said John H. Rogers thereat.

WILLIAM I. BUNNELL.

Sworn before me this 14th day of March, 1867.