Julius White to Benjamin H. Barrows, January 23, 1882

Mr. White to Mr. Barrows.

Sir: I hereby beg to inform you that I am at present undergoing imprisonment in the above-named jail, under a warrant of the lord lieutenant, issued by virtue of the powers vested in him by the act for the better protection of person and property in Ireland, commonly known as the coercion act.

I am a fully naturalized citizen of the United States, and now claim the protection of my government. It is not pretended by the authorities that I have violated the laws of this country. No attempt has been made to prove such a violation against me. I am denied the right of a trial, although fully conscious of my innocence. I can hardly believe that the government of the country in which I resided for fifteen years will permit its citizens to be cast into prison by the arbitrary will of an English official in defiance of all constitutional and international rights, and, therefore, claim as my right that you shall interfere to protect my interest.

I am, sir, yours, very truly,