New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-07
MARRIAGES IN PARIS.

Mr. Wickham Hoffman, Secretary of the American
Legation at Paris having the advanced sheets
of the instructions issued to the diplomatic officers
of the United States wrote to Mr. Fish an elaborate
letter on the subject of marriages celebrated at tho
legations After referring to the legality OF such
marriages between Americans under French and
United States law, he calls Mr. Fishs attention to
their validity under the laws of States He says:
Two residents OF Massachusetts, to this legation.
desiring to be married The Minister quotes Ia them
your instruction ana declines 10 permit tie marriage ex-
ply they nothing to do with the
United states Law; that they are cizens on MaSs'cei-
sets; That the statute of Massachusetts Is supreme Ior
them in This matter that this statute preacbes mat
marriages celebrated foreign country by consul
diplomatic agent OF ne Uhltei states shall ne VIu III
this state ana copy Of the record or ceFthcate from
such eoisul or agent snail 90 prsunPSo foence 90 81
fhey ask married under this statute Is the United
states Minister refuse tDcm the courtesy OF the eg-
ton Tor this purposef Ana, y So S1nld ne NOT WIN
equal proPriety refuse to take their 10
Massachusetts, and not by any United states statutes
| Mr. Fish says in reply:
As general rule subject to few and rarelyoccurring
exceptions, marrnge soemnzeI ACCORDING 10 tne LAWS
nzed IA aid ANA binding under the Laws OF all other
riytzrI or CHRISTIAN nations; hence, while it was
deemed proper crafty the natural wish of American
citizens 10 have contract OF such interest to them
soemnized under the Tag of their own country and mat
the hospitality of thc legation Should DE extended
/ TO them Tor that purpose, the Department at
The same time considered It only safe and prudent 10
advise them thasG ceremony OF marriage performed
within the precincts OF legation may nevertheless be
deemed b. performed III tie country within which the
LEGATION situated. and therefore ought in all respects.
To comply with the requirements OF the laws OF that
| country, IN order 10 insure IFS validity.
Mr.. Hoffman suppOscs case OF two citizens OF Massa-
chuses presenting themselves NJ the legation Tor the
purpose OF having marriage ceremony performed, ahd
/ upon their beng Informed of the minister's instructions
Gepar insisting mat IN that matter hey
have nothing do with the United states law that FOR
them the statute OF Massachusetts Is supreme. IL Is
scarcely suppabc That citizens Of Massachusetts, w0d
40 any period The history OF this Government have
advanced that doctrine, ana II n scarcely Ia 10
expected that extreme Practical assertion or STATE
sovereignty will heucrfOrth he put forward from any
section OF the country. Nor Is II probable especially
with reference to the marriage contract, ana the
| relations resulting therclrOin, That any prudent
| Uer,ous would willingly put themselves IN such an
al tude with reference a law OF the United States
has should such arise, u Is Only necessary To say
mat a Federal oihcer is not bound TO execute a
Stale statute unless required 20 do ~ act Of Congress
and tie supposed 10y Mr. HOLMAN, II Womb De an
the ina citizens OF Massachusetts, VINO
might h- insist upOn forcing themselves into the lie
ton 10 lem the production of their right to
the Of legation for their private or family arrange