The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-06-17
THE RIGHTS OF NATURALIZED AMERICAN
CITIZENS ApPOAn

We confidently believe that the following official
exposition OF the views of our Government will set.
Tie the question, and remove the erroneous and I'M
generous impressions which INSCRIPTIONS par
tsans have sought to create with regard to the
action of the State Department in the matter of
Mr.. LIE Characterization.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June IA, 1859.
Slr: In answer to your letter of the 9th instant
have to inform you that the brief letter from this
department, to which you refer, dated the 18th of
May last, and addressed to Mr.. Felix lie Clerc was
In reply to an application for information and was
principally intended to recommend caution to our
naturalized fellow citizens, natives of France in
returning to that country as the operations of the
French CONSUMPTION law were not precisely known
here, and might bear injurousy upon that class of
American citizens. Most of the continental Euro
pean nations have system of military organiza-
ton by which their citizens are compelled to serve
IN the army, by CONSUMPTION as in France. where
the duty is designated by lot, or by draught as in
Prussia where every person is required to take his
turn as soldier The condition of American nat
urallZed citizens returning their native country
where the system OF compulsory service prevails
and who had left before performing such service
mas frequently been the subject of discussion with
some OF the European powers. Quite recently it
has arisen between the United States and Prussia
and the representative of this country at the court
OF Berlin has brought the matter to the attention of
the Prussian government. In the instructions
which were sent to him, dated May IL, 1859, it was
explicitly stated that this Government is opposed
to the doctrine of perpetual allegiance and main
talns the right of expatriation and the right to
form new political ties elsewhere. Upon this sub
Ject it is observed that, Gin this age of the world
the idea of controlling the citizen in the choice
OF home, and binding him by mere political the
DRY to inhabit for his lifetime country which he
constantly desires to leave, can hardly be enter
tanned py any government whatever" The posi-
ton OF the United States, as communicated to the
minister at Berlin for the information of the Prus-
sian government, is, that native-born Prussiaus.
naturaized in the United States and returning to
Inc country OF their BIRTH are not liable to any du
ties or penalties except such as were existing at the
period OF their emf grafton. If at that time tbey
We're In the army, or actually called into it, such
emigration and naturalization do not exempt them
from the legal penalty which they incurred by
their desertion; but this penalty may be enforced
against them whenever they shall voluntarily place
themselves within the local jurisdiction of their
native country, and shall be proceeded against ac
cording to law. But when no present liabilities
exist against them, at the period of their emigra
ton, the law of nations, in the opinion of this Gov
ernment gives no right to any country to interfere
with naturaliZed American citizens, and the at
tempt to do so would be considered an act unjust in
itself, and untriendly towards the United States
This question cannot of course arise in the case of
nauralized citizen who remains in the United States
1t is only when he voluntarily returns to his native
country that its local laws can be enforced against
him.
am sir, your obedient servant,