Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-28

nlpotentlary 10 Ureat britain Is understood TO have
been confirmed by the Senate on Saturday.
A complaint appeared in New York paper
some time ago, that the rights of American cti-
gens in Germany were not taken care of and defend
ed as they ought to be by our Legation in Berlin.
The article alluded to several cases, and amongst
others quoted one from the Savannah Republican,
that of Frederick Leopold, naturazed citizen and
a resident of Charleston, in South Carolina. 1t
stated that Leopold had been held to seven years
service in the Hanoverian army We understand
from an authentic source that he was promptly set
at liberty from arrest but upon ball. on the interpo-
sition of the American Legation at Berlin and the
Hanoverian Government has since relinquished all
claim upon Leopold for service in the Hanoverian
army, on the ground that he had become a citizen
of the United States. 1t turned out, however, in
his case, we further learn, that conviction had
been recorded against him in Hanover for the crime
of desertion before he became citizen of the United
States, and since he has returned and voluntarily
placed himself within its jurisdiction, that Govern
ment is disposed to hold him responsible to the ex-
tent of exacting from him some pecuniary salts
faction
Another and later case Of the like nature, we
are informed, has occurred in Hanover, and the in
dividual was promptly released from arrest, on the
interposition Of Mr. BARNARD, our Minister at Ber-
lin though the case had not been disposed Of finally
The name of the individual involved is Helms
Ii would seem that the Hanoverian Government
is fully committed to the principle that they will
not attempt to force their former subjects who have
become citizens of the United States into their army.
even in cases where they have left Hanover without
the permission and against the will of the Govern
ment. But it must be remembered that the Euro
pean Governments have never consented to nufy
the old rule Of international law which makes the
right of expatriation depend on the will of the
Sovereign, and which holds the subject liable for
violation Of the laws Of his country who departs
without proper permit of emigration, whenever
his original sovereign lay his hands legally upon
him. In these countries, one Of the first duties Of
every SUBJECTS that Of military service and though
permits Of emigration very freely given, yet it
is high offence for young man to leave his coan
try without permission, and with view to avoid his
military duty This is point they have not yield
ed, and we presume are little likely to yield
When Mr.. WHEATON was Minister at Berlin he
refused absolutely to interfere in behalf of German
naturalized citizens who voluntarily returned to their
former country, and we're seized upon as soldiers.
He considered it as a settled question that their
"native domicil and national character revested, y
exactly as if they had never emigrated
Mr.. BARNARD we understand, has not followed
this precedent He was not disposed to admit the
doctrine Of Mr.. WHEATON, except where the emf
grant returned to the country Of his birth % be do
n'c'ted there Its quite possible he would himself
have 50 restricted it. though it seems to have larger
application in the case he had in hand We under
stand that Mr. BARNARD has cases with the Prussian
Government growing out Of this claim on our ma
turalzed citizens for military service and for fines
imposed on them for quasi desertion, and we learn
that he has not yielded to these claims, and those
who know our Minister, and are willing 70 do him
justice, will not credit the mputation that the com.
plants of our German feow.citizens have been ~
elected by him.
Perhaps many persons do not apprehend the diff.
cultes Of dealing with these German American cases
Believing in the existence Of German Democratic
Propaganda in the United States, the German Gov.
ernments think il their duty to keep vigant eye
on all returning German emigrants and it doubtless
happens that many Of these Germans, though quite
innocent Of any attempt design to NEEDLE with
politics, having had taste Of the largest liberty in
the United States, submit with more difficulty, on
their return 70 Germany, to the stringent police re-
guations Of the country, than native Americans do
They may thus not unfrequcntly help to bring sus.
pcion and trouble upon themselves but we are sure
that our Minister at Berlin will never omit to take
cognizance Of proper complaint