The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-22

Bremen and Ansrisa-TAs Marriage Con-
tract System.
Hx-0oNsUL KING IN REPLY TO THR BRANBM MINISTER
JANE GoEDos Brnnn EQ.:-
NEW YORK. Oct. IT. 1853
DEAR sn-Be assured have no desire to trouble you
your readers with any long article but nasmuch your
HERALD of yesterday contains communication from his
Exceency Mr.. schlsidsn Minister of Bremen desiring you
to publish in some prominent place. his letter to Score
tary Marcy having reference to me- must solicit your
indulgence and beg you viii place this in equally
prominent position.
have desire to enter into newspaper discussion
with Mr. Schleden, but wish to refresh his memory Now
he cannot forget that in conversation with him prior to
his departure for Washington in my parlor Bre
men, remarked that l might soon meet him in the
might long continue as Consul in Bremen then said it
was not at all probable. As it for a new
administration to recall consus expected to be
and would have resigned but that the fees OF the
had greatly improved by the fling Of marriage
certificates BY emgrant rendered necessary by the
York authorities requiring all with children to be
accompanied by the and that for other ports
regard for good morals and respecabty should induce
to their home rather than live together as formerly
in state of concubinage. To this Mr. Schlieden said
nothing in opposition and of had good
believe he did not differ from me. Indeed at that time
feel convinced that he had not received instructions
the Bremen government upon the subject, as
sured the day before left Bremen by friend who is on
most intimate terms with the Senate that had Continued
Consul there would have been change required by
the Senate in regard to the Consular certificate to
n AXE an alteration.
few weeks ago had an interview with Mr. Schleden
ct Demonicos, in Broadway, at which time alluded to
his not differing from upon the subject in question:
that had written to Mr. Marcy my arrival in New
York. and wsuld certainly publish my letter unless he
gave satisfactory reply Then for the first time he
expressed opposite opinion, showing me a copy Of
q certificate granted the 18th July last, to
parties from Bucksbury who were yet in Germany and
cd ut Tutta
States consulate in Bremen looked upon Gretna
Green, &C., &c. asked him to read the certificate
granted 1t to declaration in German and English,
signed by the parties and two witnesses in these words
"That they about emigrang to the United States
man and wife, and wish to have this declaration recorded
in the consulate ally to in lieu of regular
marriage the further formalty of which shall take place
after their arrival in the United States"
of Schammburg Lippe construe such declaration
made by parties who were in Germany, and in
tended to omgrate to the United States as arriage by
the United States consul must leave to the public to
decide. If the emigrant make false declaration it is
fault of the consul 1t is imperative duty the part
land to be fulfilled in the United States.
Mr. Scheiden says truly there is laws in the United
mony All laws regulating the duties Of consuls emanats
from the United States. There il law of the United
States authorizing the marriage act by person Yet
marriage legal in the United States under laws OF each
State
marriage contract entered into in foreign land,
rmed by the parties arrival in the United States be-
fore any legal authority becomes valid throughout the
world. This is undeniable.
No contract made in foreign land could be enforced
by courts of Justice until verified by United
States official abroad
1t was in February, 1850 was first called upon to
seemnize matrmony by citizen Of the United States
who said they refused to marry him in Bremen without
the consent of his parents and they being dead eer
cate of their death required which would require
some months time than he could Afford being about
to sail for the United States Having frequently noticed
publications of marriage by United States consuls in
md NV N had IN
two instances married emgrsnts, complied, and gave
regular marriage certificate. During the year many
Gates sent Secretary Webster in January, 1851 copy
Of the form had adopted for his approval He replied
domicii and if continued might lead to vexaous ltiga-
ton" On receipt of this opinion applied to the Bremen
government to legaze SUCH and the certificates have
April Q, 1851
In every instance have instructed the parties that the
certificate not good in Germany until confirmed
arrival in the United States before some legal autho
rity.
Seheden in my letter to the Secretary of State Of
September !, but it unavoidabe-Nr. Marcy having
given him as authority in his communication to my
been ely censursd and that had kept the De-
partment of State in ignorance of such proceedings not
withstandng he had before him file in the Depart
ment of State my letter to Secretary Webster Of March
20, 1851, and my returns regularly made every six
months, showing large amount OF fees for "6ling
That the prime minister of government, whose
high order of abilities all acknowledge, would have go
to me a matter of great surprise and modification
His letter of file in the Department of
State; wished to have il corrected and laid before him
facts which he disregarded. There then other
to pursue but appeal to the public which tri
buna in our happy LAID is open to oil from the highest
in Office to the most humble citizen
Why is it that the government Of Hamburg make no
objection to the marrying of emgrants by the United
States Consul in HamburgP
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
RALPH KING, late U. s. Consul in Bremen