William H. Seward to Charles Francis Adams, March 26, 1866

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I enclose herewith a copy of a communication of the 20th instant, from Mr. Garrett Commerford, of Lowell, Massachusetts, in regard to the improper arrest and confinement of his son, an American citizen, in the Kilmainham jail at Dublin, by the police of that city, upon a suspicion of being connected with the Fenian movement in Ireland.

I will thank you to bring this case to the attention of her Majesty’s government, and request that young Commerford, if still detained, may either be released, or that this government may be made acquainted with the reasons which are considered sufficient to justify his continued detention, as well as the grounds upon which he was originally arrested.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,