Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-24
The O'DOnnen Case.
THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENTS WITH oRIAf
BRIfAIS.

THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE WITH oRIAf
BRITAIN.
The Secretary OF State to-day submitted TO Con.
gress all the correspondence relating to the oDon-
nell case The following Is a synopsis OF the cor
reSpondence:
on the Sth OF october the Secretary OF State
received from Mr.. Hoppin. OF the U. s. legation ar
London, letter dated a4th OF September, en-
closing note from the governor or the prison.
Stating that O'Donne!l, prisoner there, claimed
American citizenship, and was anxious TO have O
solicitor appointed Mr. Hoppn stated that he
went TO the police and was shown mutilated copy
OF certificate OF naturalization On the 5th oc
october the Secretary OF State wrote to Mr. Lowell
To ascertain whether ODonnell was an American
citizen. and to do what hetould for him
RECORD OF o'DoSNELL's CAREER IN AMERICA
On October 18th Mr. Hoppin wrote to the secYo-
tary OF state deter received on 29th) stating the
result OF the inquiries 70 ODonnels c1tizenshtp.
and. alnding 10 the mutilated certificate stated
that as he known by the name Of Michael. a
well as Patrick, there was some doubt on the sub
jet He since inquired or the police authorities
and learned that the prisoner was born In Ireland
about 1855. went TO the United States In 1863. en-
listed La The army and soon deserted, returned 20
Ireland about 1870, remained there until 1874
or 1875. when he again returned to the
United states, and afterwards went to Ireland. 1n
1889 he went TO the United States and returned TO
Ireland shortly before ne left for Cape Town. Mr..
Honpin further stated that a competent solicitor,
Mir Guy, and distinguished barrister, MI. Sulli-
van haG been retained for The defense, and that it
was reported that Mr Charles Russell Q, c., NJ p,
was also retained. as well as Mr.. Pryor and Mr..
Fullerton. He stated that the trial had been post
poned until November, which would give ample
time for securing witnesses
o'DoNNEILs CITIZENSHIP.
october Goth, before the receipt OF the above dis
PATCH Mr. Frellnghuysen telegraphed to the Lon
don legation TO ascertain whether O'Donnell was
United States citizen. This Mr. Hoppn answered
by telegraph on the c2d OF October, stating that
ODonnel claimed citizenship through his fathers
naturalization. during his own minority. but for
further that O'Donnefl said that ' he had , re,
sided IN the United States continuously for seven
years prior 70 his and that be knows
that he was impressed by the apparent truth OF the
statmentS.
Further correspondence with Mr.. Hoppin as to
ODonnell's citizenship and war record is given.
MINISTER LOWELL REQUESTED TO INTERFERE
December 11th Mr.. Frelinghuysen directed Mr.
Lowell to request delay OF execution OF the SEN
tence, and that a careful examination OF
the case be made, and that the prisoners
,n counsel be permitted 70 % present any slleeed
answered. giving the final decision s'that the coun-
sci for ODonnel having submitted such represents,
atoms as he thought advisable on -behalf OF the
prisoner. these representations and all other cir
clmSJanceS Of the case have been carefully exaIn-
1ned and considered la the manner usual In the case
ment hnd no grounds upon which they would be
justified In advising the crown TO interfere with the
sentence OF the law or Its execution
THE PROOFS OF o'poSNEILs CITIZENSHIP.
A letter written by the Secretary OF State to the
President, December IL, presented synopsis OF the
case. The paper says that ODonnell's sclaims to
citizenship, through his fathers act, rests on his
statement proof OF the fact is found or fur
nlshed, and it is not confirmed by other members OF
the family that the father ever was nauuralized.
ne aa ne er ~ nee nee not nave a
(O'Donnels war sery1ce1, ODonneu himself sayB
that injury 10 his prevented his enlistment
In the army, but that he was employed as a team
ster in 1864 on United States government supply
train In Colorado.
II has not been thought necessary to verify this
statement, for II true the fact would not give him
the right 10 naturalization as one who had served
In the army, and, moreover, the certificate is not
granted on the ground OF his having been q soldier
In support OF the third allegation he produces 4
certificate or his naturalization on November g.
1870, by the probate court OF Lawrence county.
Ohio This certificate was issued I'm conformity
with section 2l67 or the Revised Statutes. which,
provides that 'any alien, being under the AGE OF n
years, who has resided In the United Stat1
three years preceding his arriving at that 49,
and who had continued 10 reside therein 70 tho'
time he may make application to be admitted acti-
zen thereof may be admitted on making the pro.
scribed declaration at that time instead Of two
years before naturalization.
It would appear that this certificate WAS frreUu
larry granted, for on oDonnens statement msde
TO the United States charge d. afYaires Mt Ion1rn
he returned TO Ireland after attaining majority
and remained there between 1867 and 1871 ~
consequently had not continued TO reside IN ~
United States from the time OF his coming on No.
TO tne time OF making application to be cit,stS.
as he must have done 70 conform TO the rpoufrn
ments OF the statute 1t Is also uncertain yhcf1Sr
he, In fact resided here Tor the three years nexf -
Hoppin be is now about forty-eeht tSN vs.,S ~ ~
which puts his birth about 1885, In the eciarsfsc.
OF Intention, made at the time OF natursnzsfS1.
he declares that he was born in 1s38
He must, therefore. have attained majority sx.,~-
time between 1856 and 1859. BY his own sfs4s-
1,s fs,her ne nan ~ ra,s % With his moths