The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1860-03-07
Allegiance and Repatriation.

Below will be found Secretary Casss
reply to Senator Pugh, Of Ohio, involving,
the case of John Detlefs Auditor OF otta-
wa county, Ohio who wishes passport,
and, at the same time to be advised
whether he can safely visit his aged moth |
er in the Dutchy Of Holstein. Detlefs is
native of that country, but came to the
United States before he had attained the
age Of 20 years, and was regularly not
uralized in the Court of Common Pleas for
Ottawa county, Ohio, on the 10th Of May
1852. Although not subject to military
service at the date of his emigration, MI
Detlefs has been pronounced desertef
Tin his absence) BY the Danish authorities;
and is apprehensiye that he may be aries
ted, fined and imprisoned, or compeliedto
serve as a soldier, in case he should re-
turn to his native land.
Aasper Of Mr.. Cas-.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON,
February !, 1850. J
srp. have the honor to acknowledge the re-
CENT of your letter. and enclose for your iniorha'
tion an extract of letter, and enclose for your
inflammation an extract of letter to the minister OF
the United States in Berlin, dated July 20, 1907,
which explains the views of this Government con-
corning the rights of American citizens abroad,
. and from which it will not depart. Itisproper to
remark that Mr.. Ernst, upon the representation OF
our minister Mr.. Wright, was discharged from tue
service of the Hanoverian government. You will
perceive that agreeably to the principles laid down
In this dispatch to to Mr.. Wright, MIR.
Detlefs owes no military service in Denmark,
AZ he left there before he had been called into the
army or navy, and therefore could not iightiulIy
he considered deserter. We deny that contln-
gent obligations, depending on time or other cir
cumstances for their fufllmen create any liability
on the part Of an American naturalized CITIZEN to
which he can be subjected when returning TO the
% country of his BIRTH a case involving these prin
ciples recently occurred in Denmark. Mr.. smldt
native Of that country, but an American natural
lied citizen, was forced into the Danish military
service in September last. Our minister at Copen
hagen, MFR. Buchanan, Immediately demonstrated
against this violation Of the rights of our country
men, and reported his proceedings to this Depart
ment for its consideration. His course was ap
proved, and he was informed that the Preslden
had taken much interest in this case, involving, a.
it does, the claim of foreign government to inter
fere with the aersonal security and liberty OF 81
many Of so many of our citizens whose interest
may respective countries Of which they were one
inhabitants"
The minister of Foreign Affairs Of Denmark in
forming Mr.. Buchanan, in answer to hisapplication
that the government was upon the point OF taking
the necessary measures for the discharge OF MI
Bmidt aas special and exceptional measure,
when it was ascertained that he had already bee
released from the service in consequence OF NJ
place having been supplied by substitute
As soon as the necessary descriptive list received
passport for Mr.. Detefs will be made out an
forwarded to you
am. sir, your obedient servant
LEWIS CAss.