, 1859-06-18
IMPORTANT FROM .y&srt1xcrox
Important Document from tho State
EDcraftment Defining tllc Position OF
NatuFA1tzcd Clttzcns Abroad.
r WAsplMre res June IT, go
~Illc following important letter was to-day
communicated to A. '. Hofer, Of Cinciu1xti, by
Secrctary Cass. 1t nccLs no comment:

=. WASHINGTON, juno Is, -.
~Illc following important letter was to-day
communicated ~ 4. y. Hofer. Of Cincinnati. tv
Secretary Cass. 1t needs no comment.
uErAxTxEs1 IF s1.rr,
WAsHlxo7uS, }uls IL; af:Y
S1a la answer to vour letter Of lie 9Th int.
hare 10 Inform you that the brief letter from
iois nerarsmcnt 70 which you reGr dutcd the
II o.. NY hst and "ddfessed to Mr. Felix
Ltc'cre, was ~ reply to IN application for i'll
formation, aud ~as principally in,otiird to 70.
commend caution 70 our naturalizcd fellow citi-
zens, natlres Of France. iu RETURNING, tu that
country, as the operations Of the French dc.
ser1pt'on law were not precisely known here.
ana might bear 'nlerieasly npon TINT class Of
European nations hare a system of military or.
t;anlzat!on BY which their citizens are compelled
to serve IN the army by cunscriptiou. as in
france. where the duty is designated by lot. Of.
by Draft, as in Prussia, where every person is
required u luke his turn as soldier
The condition OF American uaturalized c;ti,
zens returning to their native country wher..
the system Of compulsory service prevails. ind
VINO aad !c!s before performing such service
las frequently been the subject of discussion
Will, some Of the European powers. Quite re-
Gently It has arisen between the United States
country ut the Court Of Berlin has brought the
matter 70 The attention If tho Prussiau govern
mcnt. In the instructions which were sent to
MN dnted May IL, 1859 it WAS cxplicit1y
stated that this government is opposed to the
doctrine Of perpetual allegiance, aud maintains
the right OF expatriatiun aud the right 10 form
ne" political ties elsewhere, Upou this subject
It Is observed, that in this agc of the world th.
idea of controlling the citizen 10 the choice ofa
homo and binding him By mere 1,oiit;caI
theory 10 inhabit for his lifetime 4 country
whleu ne constantly desiresto leave, can hard,
The position Of the United Statsa M ran.r,,
nlcatcd to The Ainuter a1 Berlin for Tho ;nfnr.
NATION OF the Pfussiau government !. thst
neuVe born Frussians naturalized in the Tnitrd
states and fetnrning 10 the country Of tIc;r
birth, ar not liable 10 any duties or penaitic..
except such - were existing ut the ner;od ~
their emigration.' II 1t thai. time thcF xerr ~ ~
the army or actually called into It such AMI.
grafton Ind naturalization do not exemn1 them
from the legal penalty. which lhey iucurrad hv
their .desersion, but this penalty NAV be ~.
1ofeeo; against '11eln whenever they shall vol.
unfairly plaza themselves within tic local
Jnr1sd3etfon Of their native country and
shall be proceeded against according 10 law,
nus when no present liabilities exist apsins,
them at fhe period Of their emigration. ths la,x
o! nations, in the opinion OF tits eoyernment.
g'ses 10 right to any country to interfere with
natafs4lxed American citizens, aud the attempt
70 90 70 Moa!d be considered IN act unjust in It.
ss1i and unfiEndly toward the United States.
lals 4eestaon cannot Of course arise in the case
ol = = aa.stee.ea -eatsseo whefenaina ia the Uni
teo ot4afs, Il /. only when be voluntarily re-
Turns TO his native ctnntry that It's focal law
can be enforced against him. '4"7
! a'n' sir; your obedicnt servsmt
LIw:s Cas-.