Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24

to him his best poetical inspiration.
eff you concur with me in this sentiment,
beg leave to say that will, when favored with
your official permission charge myself with the
duty of providing for the removal of his re-
mains to this country, and on their arrival here
will give to them a new and suitable resting
place in Oak Hill Cemetery, taking care, OF
course to mark the spot with monument
which shall perpetuate in the eyes of his
Ncountrymep the name of the poet already
embalmed in their hearts by his immortal lyric.
- ST ought to add that make this application
to you, because, as the honored head of the
State Department. you seem to be the natural
/ custodian of Mr.. Payne'S grave in Tunis.
am further induced to make this appeal TO you
because, after careful inquiry am led to be-
lieve that MIR. Payne has now no descendant
or collateral kindred to whom could address
communication on the subject. In evidence
of this fact. beg to invite your attention to
the accompanying letters.
ct have the honor to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
wv. w. CORCORAN."
ITO this the Secretary of State replied:
Department of State, Washington.
october 81, 1882.
"W w. Corcoran, Esq, Washington.
Dear Sir: have had the pleasure to re-
ceive your letter of the 14th instant, in which
you ask the sanction and aid of this depart
ment for your project of bringing to this
country the remains of John Howard Payne,
now inferred at Tunis, in Africa, and giving
them appropriate Seputure in his native land.
Your proposal meets with my warm appro-
baton, and hasten to assure you of my readi-
ness to do what I can in rendering fitting
tribute to the memory of one whose touching
verses have so endeared him to his countrymen.
I'm the absence of any present consular rep
resentative at Tunis, I have instructed Mr..
Lowell to request the kindly assistance of the
British government in obtaining from the gov
eminent of the regency Of Tunts, permission
to exhume the remains OF Mr.. Payne, and In
making the necessary arrangements to trans
port them to this country. I doubt not that
this assistance will be cheerfully and effectively
rendered. AS soon as I receive Mr. LowellS
response I viii hasten to communicate 1t to you.
81 am my dear sir, very truly yours,
"FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN.
The British consul general at Tunis, Thomas
Reade, most willingly set to work to accom-
dish the wish of this country, and on jan
uary s. 1885, the body Of John Howard Payne
was taken from the grave and prepared for
its removal by way Of Marseile.
A this time there was no American consular
"A representative ct Ttlnis but there was
real wide awake red-blooded American not
far away at Malta and his report Of the dis
fnterment and the shipping Of the remains
back to this country Is indeed most interesting.
UnQeF
MY Dear MIR. Brown: Learning that the
body of John Howard Payne, author of Home.
Sweet Home was to be exhumed from its
grave In Tunis and sent to America at the.
expense of w. W. Corcoran, esq, of Washing
ton, and learning, too, that probably not any
American would be present, resolved to take
q run over to Tunis and IL possible get there
In time to witness the disinterment.
st had written and telegraphed Mr.. Thomas
Reade, the British consul general at Tunls,
- asking him to inform me on what day the
exhumation would occur, he replying On
wednesday, the Sd, inst AS no steamer would
leave Malta for Tunis (after the receipt OF
Mr. Reade's telegram) until noon of the Sd
inst had doubts whether I would be able to
reach Tinis in time particularly as my steamer
would not arrive at Ttlnis till Thursday, the
4th inst but fortunately, upon reaching this
place and calling upon Mr.. Reade, found the
exhumation had not taken place but would
occur at 10 am. You can imagine how glad
I was then that had CHANGED coming, and
that Mrs. worthington had accompanied me.
"Of course, did not come in an official
capacity, but simply as an American citizen
who could not bear the idea that the body
of the author Of Home, Sweet Home (once
distinguished United States consul at Tunis,
who died and was buried there in 1852 should
be taken from It's grave and sent to its native
Land and not one of his countrymen be present.
Hence came
This morning. at IL M, the examination
took place IN the presence OF about 20 persons.
q few being Tinislans attracted to the spot
through curiosity, the others being laborers
employed, and few gentlemen acting as wit
neSses at the request OF MIR. Reade. I also
signed the paper as witness that the exhuma-
ton took place as stated. There were two
persons present who were at the funeral and
interment Il Payne. l. O.. NJ Pisani and .