Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1888-11-02
DISMISSED, YOU KNOW.
Dept. OF STATE, WAsH1NGToN,)
a--.- 5. nofohor On 1000 q

DISMISSED, YOU KNOW.
Dept. OF STATE, WASHINGTON,
October 20, 1888
To THE PRESIDENT The undersigned
has the honor to submit to your consider
alton the following statement with a view
to receive your opinion thereon: son the
4th of September last letter purporting to
be written by one Charles F. Murchison,
place to the British minister at the capital,
in which the writer solicited an express
sion of his views in regard to certain un-
settled diplomatic questions between the
United States and Great Britain, stating at
the same time that such expression was
saught by him for the purpose of determin-
ing his vote at the
APPROACHING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
He stated that he was naturallzed citi-
zen of the United States, of English birth,
but that he still considered England the
mother country ard this fact led him to
seek the advice from the British repre-
sentative in this country. He further
was not for himself alone, but
tain assurances to many other persons
in the same situation as himself for the
purpose of influencing and determining
Cuelr pOIlClcal acClOn as
CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES,
of English birth, but who still regarded
their original obligation of allegiance as
paramount. The letter also contained
gross reflections upon the conduct of this
government IN respect to questions now
in controversy and unsettled between the
! United States and Great Britain, and both
directly and indirectly imputed insincerity
in such conduct"
To this letter the British minister at once
replied from Beverly, Mass, under the date
Of the 18th Of September last In this re-
ply he stated that s'any political party
which openly
FAvoRs THE MOTHER COUNTRY
at the present moment would lose popular
ity and that the party IN power is fully
+ aware of that fact, and in respect to the
questions with Canada which have been
unfortunately re-opened since the rejection
Of the fisheries treaty by the republican
dents message to Which You you ailude, al de- al Ries al
!0wances must, therefore be made
for the political situation as
regards the presidential election. The
minister thus gave his assent and sanction
TO the assertions and imputatiOns above re-
ferred to-; thus under his correspondence
minister concurred by making his answer
4 9private" he undertook to advise citizens
Of the United States how to exercise their
franchise Of suffrage in the election close
ct hand for the presidency and vice-presi-
dency Of the United States, and through
him, as the letter suggested, to influence
THE VOTES OF MANY OTHERS.
Upon this correspond being made
public the minister received representa-
lives Of the public press and in frequent
interviews with them intended for publi-
cation, added to the impugments he had
already made In good faith of this govern
ment In its public action and International
dealings Although ample time and oppor-
disavowal, modification or correction Of his
statements, to some Of which his attention
was called personally by the undersigned.
yet no such disavOwal or modification has
been made by him through the channels in
which his statements
FIRST FOUND PUBLICITY.
The question is thus presented, whether it
is compatible with the dignity, security
and independent sovereignty of the United
states to permit representa- of a foreign
3 government in this country not only to re-
confirm BY his repetition assertions upon
lte political action, but also to interfere in
Its domestic affairs by advising persons
35 FORMERLY HIS COUNTRYMEN
as to their political course as citizens Of the
United States Between this country and
a Great Britain there can be no controversy
as to the complete severance Of
ties Of original allegiance by natura-
lfzatiOn. Dispute on this point was
Il finally put at rest by the treaty
of naturalization concluded by the two
B countries on the 18th day OF May 1870.
Therefore, 1t will not be contested nor was
ever such contention ever admitted by us
Y that the citizens Of the United States or Of
BRITISH ORIGIN ARE SUBJECTS
20 any claim Of their country or Of their
original alliance. The undersigned also
has the honor TO call the attention to the.
provisions Of section 6.s85 Of the revised
statutes Of the United States BY which
severe penalties are visited upO1 the citi-
4 zens OF the United States who without
\ authority or permission OF this govern