The most honorable the Marquis of Salisbury to John Welsh, August 16, 1878

Lord Salisbury to Mr. Welsh.

Dear Mr. Welsh: I have to acknowledge the letter which you addressed to me under date the 8th instant. You had previously made to me at this office a verbal request of a similar import. These communications were duly laid before the cabinet and have been carefully considered by them. They had at the same time before them the fact that Condon and Melody (the other man who was convicted for the same offense) could not, according to the tenor of the regulation in force respecting them, be released from prison before the year 1882, and that Condon is suffering seriously in health.

Her Majesty’s Government have been strongly moved to look upon your application in the most favorable light, as well by the knowledge which you have conveyed to them that it is one to which the President and Congress of the United States attach great importance, as by a review of the considerations mentioned in your letter and of those to which I have adverted above.

Her Majesty’s Government are glad to be able to think that, under all these circumstances, the time has arrived when the clemency of the Crown may be exercised, and when they will be justified in acceding to your request.

They will therefore recommend to Her Majesty to remit the remainder of the sentence which was passed upon Condon, and, as a necessary consequence, the remainder of that also which was passed upon Melody, under such conditions as Her Majesty may be pleased to prescribe, one of which would be that they shall not, during the remaining term of their sentence, or such shorter period as Her Majesty may be pleased to name, reside within Her Majesty’s dominions.

I beg to remain, &c.,