William H. Seward to Wells Williams, June 26, 1874

Mr. Seward to Mr. Williams.

Sir: A case has recently occurred, to which I respectfully call your attention. A man named Jackson was some time since arrested by the police of the municipality upon a telegram from Hong-Kong, which stated that he had committed an act of piracy on a British vessel upon the high seas. He was arrested as a British subject, but whether upon a warrant from the British court here I do not know. After arrest he claimed to be an American citizen. I examined his claim and requested the police to deliver him to me, at the same time asking the police superintendent to report the fact to Hong-Kong; when this was done, the Hong-Kong authorities addressed our consul there, and he telegraphed to me that the case against Jackson was prima facie a good one. I responded that I would consider a request for his delivery. I next received a letter from the colonial secretary, a copy of which and my answer I inclose. At a still later moment, I received a telegram from Hong-Kong saying that the prosecution had been abandoned, and I accordingly released the man.

I shall be glad to know whether the course I have taken in this matter meets your approval.

The procedure under the provision of our extradition stipulations with Great Britain is simple and direct, and I doubt whether we can do better than follow it out in each case.

I have, &c.,