The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-14
The MIOrtax,a Case.

The Mortara Case.
THE BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE UNITED
NEW YORK--LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BUCHANAN.
from the Jewish Messenger.
The Board held meeting on Tuesday evening a the
were represented by delegates
On motion, solomon Joseph, Esq, was called 10 the
chair.
Letters TO the Philadelphia and New Orleans committees
to Sir Meees Monte6ore Gershom Kursheedt ESD, and
circulars addressed 10 the Jewish congregations Of the
Union, were read and accepted.
The following letter to the President Of the United
States, and his reply thereto We're read % ,o.o
To his Excelency JANIS BUCHANAN President of the United
States Of America:-
HoNoRED sR-rle Board OF Representatives Of the
United Congregations of Iraetes OF the city Of New York
had the honor address your Excelency under date of
goth November and again under date of 10th instant
Fart Hall, copies of which are herewith transmitted
Not having been favored with reply, they appre-
hensve the letters may have failed 10 reach their desna
tion may have escaped your Excellencys notice. and
large body Of fellow citizens without distinction
as to creed continue to regard the subject with unabaod
interest, they beg recall 1t TO your Excellencys aen
ton. have the honor to be, with great respect,
Your Excellencys obedient friend,
BENZ W. HART, scc'y
Mr. BUcHANAN's REPLY
WASHINGTON Cry, JAN A, 1853
SR-I have had the honor Of receiving your favor Of
the Both umo with the resolutions recently adopted by
Israeles Of the City Of New York" on the subject
of the abduction and detention Of Edgar Mortara from
under the authority the Pnpa government
The letters addressed to the Goth November and
the 10th uim0, TO which you recall my attention, were
referred in regular TO the State Department. and
have been substantially answered in the letters addressed
by the Secretary Of State the 2lst Of November and
the 8h of December last TO Mr. A. Hart President of the
Congregation Of "Mickve Israeli" Philadelphia These
letters have been extensively published throughout the
country, and evident from their face that the opinion
therein expressed had received my appreciation.
have long been convinced that it is neither the right
the duty Of this government TO exercise moral
sorshp over the conduct Of other independent govern
ments, and 10 rebuke them for acts which may deem
arbitrary and unjust towards their citizens sub
iects, Such practice would tend " embroi with all
nations We ourselves would not permit any foreign
power thus TO interfere with our domestic concerns and
enter protests against the legislation or the action Of our
government towards our own citizens. al Meppt or
this kind were made, we should promptly advise such
government in return to confne themselves to their
affairs, and not intermeddle with our concerns.
1t perhaps fortunate that the assertion of the prnc
pie Of intervention the part Of the United States
between foreign sOvereigns and their subjects has
arisen in we'll calculated TO enlist sympathes
that of the Mortara family For this the prece
dent will be SO much the stronger and be entitled 10 the
more binding force.
1t is enough for defend the rights Of our own c
zens, under treaties the law Of nations whenever and
foreign country Had Slamoa Mortara been citizen of
the United States the would have been very different
The Iraetish citizens Of the United States have had
cason TO know that have not been regardless their
just rights in foreign countries and they may
sured that they shall receive the protection when
domiciled abroad during my administration, which is
tended TO all other citizens Of country. They
would ask more and shall receive nothing less Yours
very respectfully, JAMES BUCHANAN
Mr. BENZ W. HART 4S Pine street. New York