The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-12-26

ERELlNGHUNSEN'S REPORT.
The Correspondence of the Secretary of
state i'm the O'Donneu Case Sent to he
House by the President.
WAsHNGToN, Dec. 24-The President to-
day transmitted to the House the report of
the Secretary of State, with its voluminous
correspondence, in response to a resolution
on the 10th inst. calling for the communica-
tions and papers on file in the State Depart
ment relative to the trial, conviction and
execution of the late Patrick ODonneu."
The correspondence covers the period from
September 24 to December 10, 1888. Under
the first mentioned date, Hoppin, the First
Secretary of Legation, informs Secretary
Frelinghuysen of the arrest of Patrick ODon-
nell, and his anxiety TO have solicitor ap-
pointed to undertake his defense. He fur
ther informs the Secretary, in response to a
communication from the Deputy Governor
of Millbank Prison, who stated there was
some doubt of oDonneirs identity; and he
added, supposing that the prisoners citizen.
ship be established, he did not believe
1t was the duty of the United
States Government under ordinary
circumstances, TO provide professional
legal assistance Tor one OF its citizens &C.
cused OF crime in Great Britain even IL des-
titute of means, and there seemed to be
nothing in this case TO make rt an excep-
ton. He therefore, declined to instruct
some one 10 defend hlm, except under the
direction of the Department of State. On
October Secrei iary Frelinghuysen writes to
Lowell directing him 10 ascertain whether
ODonnell was citizen of the United states
and If so, 10 do whatever was necessary to
secure his proper defense.
Enclosed in this communication was
letter from Joseph +. Finnerty, Of Illinois,
transmitting the resolutions adopted at "A
meeting in Chicago urging the Secretary of
State OF the necessity of immediate action
by the United States TO vindicate the right
OF O. Dounell to n fair trial The reply Of
Secretary Frelinghuysen 20 Finuerty was
also enclosed in H. The Secretary said:
1T IL not doubted that the accused will rec9ivs
fair trial according TO tho usual forms oi law.
which. In England, substantially those ia force
IN this country, ard any proper aid TO that end
which Is witlin their power to furnish. will be
given by tie repre- cntatves OF the United states
In Iondon sunt aid would he given aS a matfer
OF course, without The ~ cnc instructions OF this
d. tparlment, 10 any American cit, 90 accused OF
crime IN any foreign country where tins Govern
ncnt Is represented"
Under date OF October o. Secretary Ere.
linghuysen Endorses 10 the uOppin re iuest,
and Hon. John a Logan aud Others. that
William i. Hvnes aud William w. o. Brien
be authorized 10 appear In behalf Of O'Don-
nell. lie also encloses his reply thereto.
stating that he understands that General
Pryor and cx-Judge Fullerton, OF New York,
are To take part Ia The deiense. Lowell be-
ing absent from London, Hoppin reptile, 90
the last communication stating that he had
come Co the conclusion that thccertiiicate of
naturalization, produced by O'Donnsll, had
either been granted or sOme other person
bearing the not unusual name Of Patrick
O'Donncll or had 'ecn fraudulently ob.
taincd by the prisoner. IL Is possible he
says, that the State Department may dec 10
that the simple fact OF the prisoners possess.
ing certificate OF naturalization in his
own name - sufficient proof OF his
citizenship without regard TO antecedant
facts i. seemed 10 him that ODDnne'rs dc.
fence had been properly secured. and it was
not necessary for him 90 take further steps
in that direction IL was hardly necessary
Tor him 10 show the immense inco nvenenc' :,
I II not absolute impmcticability OF providing,
as n matter OF course professional assistance
to destitute American citizens accused of
crime in oil parts OF tho United Kingdom.
Such action would throw upon the Legation
judicial duties which mater ally interfere
with It's legitimate work and entail great cx-
penso upon the Government. Under date OF
the 23d, Hoppln Informs Secretary Freling.
! huysen That he has made further inquiries
concerning O'Donnelrs ALLEGED citizenship,
and, while II was impoclbIG lor nim to give
40 authoritative opinion upon the qsestlon,
) he can say he was impressed viii. :ase aB-
parent truth OF 0'Donnel's Statement. The
question OF ODonnelrs citizenship was
summed up in the following comniunica-
ton from tie Secretary Of State TO the Presi.
dent:
In response 10 your direction have the honor
10 inform YOU that tne investigation was mr1e OF
the right OF latrcS o DOnnel 10 G aim cltlz nsblp
Of the eniled s.ates, with the Ita1lt N1leh have
The honor to con- rnnn'o ate b rswith. THO aie-
ments made in I ha OF @ Donnc IS rigl OF clt-
zonship are cCnh lirg. II isns eGf 4 ihat nc is a
Ctken, hial. by TIC ruuflEatOn OF his iither,
minor: second. ty reason Of hs fervce ia the
Army ol the United States In the la'e Civil War:
and third, by naturalization, as enc who resided in
the United states thlce years next prios 10 his
the time OF mnklng lis application for ciilz,n-
ship. The claim OF citizenship through his
iatner's act rests on his own statement. No
! picol OF the fact Is found or furnished.
aud i Is rot confirmed by other m 'mbors OF his
family that his father ever was natura,ized. Hal
ne pfen. rnWick y Donneli need not havr applied
for Eatginiizstion. A. TO lhe second point,
O'Donnell himself says an injsry TO hls arm pre-
venied his oniis iment in the Army. but he was
employed rs teamser Ia 1864 With The unitei
States Government supply train In Colorado. IL
i has NOT been thought necessary to verify his
statement for, II true the frct would OF give
him the right OF naturalization as one VINO had
served in the Army. and more over. the certificate
was not granted on thesround Of his having been
1cio ". III cubpOll oA lft blltu
gation he produces the certificate OF
MANIPULATION. dated November 6, 1876, isssned by
The Probate Court OF Lawrence County. Ohio
This certificate VAS issued in COMO nifty villa
that section of the Revised Statutes which pro
vides that any alien being under the age of
twenty one. wi o has resided in toe United states
three years next preceding his arriving a. that
0ec, aud had continued 10 reside therein 10 the
time he may make the application 10 be admitted
citizen thereof. may be admitted on slSinx tie
prescrihed declaration tiiat the time instead
Two years before lie iaturalization.
Wof AZ A f9.afa 10
larly granted. for. on o. DonRells statement made