The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-05
LIBERTY OF THE PRESS IN PRUSSIA.

The first number of the Anzeinger, spirited little
sheet in the German language, which has just made its
appearance in this city, avertng to the prohibition in
Prussia of certain papers printed in the German Ian
guage in this country reproduces the following interest
ing correspondence which took place in the year lS45
between Mr. Buchanan then at the head of the State De-
partment and certain German publishers
WASHINGTON, Nov. 49, ls45.
SIR The undersigned wishing to forward their papers
to the United States legation Berlin and other official
functonaIes of the United States in Germany beg leave
respectfully to inquire whether the papers thus addressed
will be considered by this government subject to
the prohibition of German papers printed In the Uni
ted States by the German Dict and, if intercepted
whether the proceeding will be acquesced in by the gov
eminent of the United States. . .-.-.. ...
Requesting early answer for guidance ia this
matter we remain, sir with great respect your most
obedient servants, Z" 7oT .r.H#
Publisher New York ''Staatszeitunp -.
VIM. Won EICHTHAL,
Publisher New York "Schnep post -
Il. Ct. KLENGB,
Publisher "Nationa Zetung,"
Hon SECRETARY STATE, u s, Washington.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, November 10, l8i5
GENTLEMEN have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cept of Your communication under date the 18th inst
in which, after stating that you wish transmit the
newspapers published by you ito the United States lega
ton at Berlin and other official funotionares of the Uni
ted States in Germany you inquire first ''wheher the
papers thus addressed will be considered subject to the
prohibition of German papers printed in the United
States " secondly, 'if such papers be- intercepted
whether the proceedings will be acquesced in by the gov
erpmept of the United States .......u ... ,.
In reply TO the 6st inquiry, have to state that the
edict of the German Diet prohibiting postmasters from
delivering newspapers In the German language published
in the United States is understood applying to every
paper Of this description, to whomsoever addressed
Tn rpnl i tn bgery hat al
though the edct of the German Diet must be condemned
by every enlightened and liberal both sides OF the
Atlantic, still the regulation of tsown post Office by such
laws as ito government may just and proper
right that belongs to every sovereign State BY
nation would the slightest pretenson to interfere in any
way with the exercise of this right be more promptly
buked than by ourselves by none therefore should it
be more scrupulously respected. .... r.. ..#
In regard to the transmission of such publications
our diplomatic and other fnctionaries residing in the
States where their prohibition is the law the land and
where postnastes forbid to deliver Them it is evi
dent that they could not reach their destination except
in consequence of their being exempted from scrutiny
through the respect shown by the towards
those funetionaries and its confidence that they would
make this the of violating the laws of the
country. respect for laws is duty the part Of
every foreigner residing among u.s. the disregard of which
would not be tolerated by government and it can
not therefore but recognise this duty towards other
the part of its functionaries residing
abroad. .#.'t aa
Ii is with much regret therefore, that feel compelled
TO deny myself the pleasure of aordng yor the means
through the agency of this department. of circulating your
valuable aud patriotic journals in Germany.
am, respectfully your obedient servant,
-FA-s s-a JAMES BUCHANAN.
To Messrs. Jacob Uhl, William Won Eichtha and F. G.