The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-13
CSkflAeatl0n OF Marriage Contracts Made by
Mmig1 ants PA i0r to Leaving Bromon.
INTERESTING LETTER FROM Ex-COksUL KING TO
REnRFTARY

Qualification OF Marriage Contracts Made by
Amag, ants Piior TO Leaving Broncn.
INTERESTING LETTER FROM Ex-COksUL KING TO
SECRETARY MARCY.
NV York, Sept l. 1855.
SR-Referring to my letter of the eth August from
Bremen have the honor TO enclose nay return fees
at the Bremen Consulate from the LIST Of July to the 7h
of August the day before retired.
My successor consul, Hldebrand showed your dis
patch of the 22d of July in which you for
granting certificates TO marriage contrasts male by emf
grants and keeping the Department of State in ignorance
of the must protest against this act of Injustice
you condemn without Investigation into the matter which
am would have induced you commend those
1t absolutely necessary for the erpeiisrs of emil
grants to meet requison Of tine New York authorities
who refused take commu tation money for women with
children, unless accompanied by their husbands and re-
CURED in all such cases, bonds Of $500 each woman
and each child In addition to this, the difficulties in
Germany thrown in the of matrimony induce large
numbers to live together and wife, and have
families, without any lie contract Thus the erIs
dtWS OF emgrants a. Bremen compelled 10 that
the women and children whom they forwa ded had hus-
band and father. Since The Bremen government re-
fused to marry themiearing that some day they might
return from the United states pauper and be forced
upon them by their native country be supported-the
only remedy satisfactory to the New York authorities
70 ME contract OF marriage IN the United States
sulae to be confirmed on arrival the United States
ior have on file in the Department Of State, my lotter
to Secretary Webster Of the 18th March, 1851 in which
stated =" AT present, application is made to the
Senate of Bremen to authorize such marriages if OF
permitted the parties may be satisfied by filing in this
consulate their intention emgrate as man and wife,
with promise to have the act confirmed arrival in
the United States" The Bremen gov ,rnmen in reply
had no objections to such marriages by the Consul il
valid for the United States condition that clergy
man in Bremen should be employed.
My semi-annual returns since have exhibited a
largo amount OF fees from this source and for the past
twelve months fully third of the income of the
suate How, then can be charged with keeping the de-
partment in isnoIar ce OF such proceedings.
The Bremen minister, Mr.. schedcn knew full well the
necessity which existed for this step, had conversed
with him upon the subject before his departure for Wash
ingon and he did not differ from in considering it
more respectable and moral for the emigrants to file
contract of marriage before Witnesses when emigang
to their home, than to live together formerly in
state of concubnage, in many parts Of Ger
many.
If Mr. Scheden thinks that it leads to demoraliza-
ton and RIGHTEOUSNESS what does lie say the govern
ment Of Bremen authorizing their magistrate Bremen
haven, the shipping port Amtman Gronng to certify to
similar contracts certified by the United States Consul
with this only difference, that he required the be
confirmed before clergyman IN the United States while
the consul required to be before amy legal authority in
tho UHted States2
Submitting to you these facts shall appeal to your
own sense OF justice trusting you will favor with
communication removing all censare. With
OF my high consideration, have the honor to be,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
RALPH KING, late U. s. Consul at Bremen.
Hon. w. L. MARCY, Secretary Of State Washington.