THOMAS HYNES, Late of Kansas , United States to Andrew Johnson, June 25, 1866

Mr. Hynes to President Johnson.

Honorable Sir: Having applied in vain to the representatives of our government here for that protection to which, as citizens of the great republic, we feel justly entitled, we call upon you, Mr. President, knowing that you, of all men, are the person who has it in his power to aid us. To me it is incomprehensible why the United States authorities permit us to remain the victims of a foreign despotism—treated as the vilest criminals, shut up in convict cells, and laughed at if we speak of our adopted country. I have committed no crime or violated no law, and I am sure that the same is the case with scores of my fellow-citizens whom I daily see, but to whom it is a crime to speak.

Mr. West, the United States consul here in Dublin, told me that his position had become a very humiliating one, since all the requests and demands which he made were made with the foreknowledge that they would be refused. This very fact is enough to make an American blush. We are told plainly that we are subjects of her Majesty—documents to the contrary notwithstanding. I am a cripple—never bore arms, and never can. Should my imprisonment be prolonged I will be ruined for life. I hope, Mr. President, you will, as you have heretofore done, remember the suffering, and at the same time vindicate our national honor.

With this hope I remain, yours, hopefully,