William H. Seward to Charles Francis Adams, May 1, 1866

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I enclose herewith a letter of the 26th of April from the Hon. R. B. Hayes, a member of the House of Representatives, accompanied by three other communications from different sources, and the affidavit of Bartholomew Smith, in regard to the alleged improper detention in prison, at Dublin, of his brother, James Smith, who, it appears, has been arrested in Ireland on suspicion of complicity with the movements of the Fenians. I will thank you to invite the attention of her Majesty’s government to this case, and at the same time to request that an investigation of it may be made with a view either to his release or to an explanation of the reasons which justify his continued imprisonment.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,