Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-07-01
DEPARTMESr OF STATE.


Washington, June IL, 1859.
SIR: In answer 10 your letter of the 9th
INST, have 10 inform you that the brief let
ter from this Department to which YOU refer,
dated the 18th OF slay last, and addressed to
Mr.. feiix Lec!ere. was In reply TO an applica
ton for information. and was principally in
tended 10 recommend caution 10 our natural
lied fellow citizens, natives of France, in re-
turning TO that country, as the operations OF
the French CONSUMPTION law were not precisely
known here. and might bear injuriously upon
that class of American citizens. Most of the
continental European nations have system
of military organizations by which their citi-
zens are compelled to serve in the army bv
CONSUMPTION. as in France where the dut, Is
designated by lot, or by draft, as in Prussia.
where every person Is required TO take his turn
as soldier.
The condition Of American natu allied citi.
zens returning to their native country where
the system of compulsory service prevails, and
who had left before performing such service,
has frequently been the subject of discussion
with some CT the European Powers. Quitere-
Gently 1t has arisen between the United States
and Prussia. and the representative of this
country at the Court of Berlin has brouch,
the matter to the attention Of the Prussian gov
eminent. In the instructions which were sent
to him. dated May II. 1859. it was explicitly
stated that this government is opposed to the
perpetual allegiance, and maintains the RICH,
Of repatriation and the rights to form new po-
litical ties elsewhere. Upon this subject it is
observed. that in this age of the world the idea
OF controlling the citizen in the choice Of a
home and binding HIM by mere political the
ory to inhabi, for his lifetime a country which
he constantly desires to leave, can hardly be
entertained by any government whatever.
The position of the United States, as COM
municated to the Minister at Berlin for the in.
formation Of the Prussian government, is that
native born Prussians natu allied in the Unit
ed States and returning to the penalties, ex.
cept such as wereexistng at the period of their
emigration. II al that time they were in the
army or cctaally called into it, such emigra-
ton and naturalization do not exempt them
from the legal penalty which they incurred by
their desertion, but this penalty may be en-
forced against them whenever they shall vol
UNFAIRLY place themselves within the local iu-
risdiction of their native country and shall be
proceeded against according TO law. But when
no present liabilities exist against them az the
period OF her emigration he law of nations,
IN the opinion Of this government. gives no
right TO any country TO interfere with natural
IL d America citizens, and the attempt TO do
SO would be considered au &C, unjust in itself
and unfriendly towards the United Stat. S.
This question cannot of course arise in the case
of naturalized citizen who remains in the
United States. 1t is only when he voluntarily
returns TO his native country that its local
laws can te enforced against him.
am. sir, your obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS.