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"Mr. Butler to Mr. Forsyth, 28th October, 1839, and enclosures." U.S. Congress. House. Africans Taken in the Amistad. 26th Congress., 1st sess., 1840.H. Doc. 185.
Mr. Butler to the Secretary of State.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE,
New York, October 28,1839.
SIR: Enclosed I have the honor to hand you copies of letters this day addressed
by me to Mr. Jose Ruiz, and to his attorney and counsel, Mr Purroy, in compliance
with the instructions contained in your letter of the 24th instant. I need not, I
hope, assure you that all the aid which it may be in my power to render to Mr. Ruiz,
and also to Mr. Montes, (who has been discharged from arrest,) should he need my
services, will be promptly afforded.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. F. BUTLER,
United States Attorney.
Hon. JOHN FORSYTH,
Secretary of State of the United States.
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE,
New York, October 28,1839.
SIR: Enclosed is a letter, offering to Mr. Ruiz any advice and aid in my power
in relation to his arrest and imprisonment in this city, written by me pursuant to
instructions this day received from the Secretary of State of the United States.
I transmit it to you, because I understand that you are counsel for Mr. Ruiz in the
suit brought against him, and I will thank you to cause it to be conveyed to him
without delay. I am instructed to make the like offer in respect to Mr. Montes; but
deem it unnecessary to do so, because I perceive, by the public prints, that he has
been discharged from arrest. As you are also counsel for Mr. Montes, I will be greatly
obliged to you, should I be mistaken in this impression, and should he need my services,
for information to that effect.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. F. BUTLER,
United States Attorney.
JOHN B. PURROY, Esq.,
Counsellor at Law, New York.
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UNITED STATES DISTRTCT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE,
New York, October 28, 1839.
SIR: By a communication this day received by me from the Secretary of State of
the United States, I am informed that the Spanish minister has applied to the Department
of State for its interposition in the matter of your imprisonment in this city. As
the suit against you appears to be one of a civil nature, before the local courts
of law, the Government of the United States cannot interfere in the manner requested;
but I have been instructed by the Secretary to put myself in communication with you,
and to offer you any advice and aid which may be in my power, and which may be necessary
and proper to obtain your release, and any indemnity to which, under our laws, you
may be entitled for your arrest and detention. This offer I have now the honor to
make; and whenever I may be called on in your behalf, I will give such attention
as may be in my power to your interests.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. F. BUTLER
United States Attorney
MR. JOSE RUIZ, New York.
