The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-31

WASHINGTON, Oct. 80. Tho grounds OF
this action on the partol tho United States
are stated in n report OF the Secretary OF
State to the President, dated the Goth in.
slant, which is as follows
DEPARTMENT op STATE \
WASHINGTON, Oct ~, lSSs
To the Presidents
Tho undersigned has the honor 10 sub.
nit for your consideration the following
statement with u view TO receive your di-
rcciion thereon.
On the 4lh Of September last. letter
purporting TO be written by one Charles =.
Murchison, dated at Pomona, Cal, was
sent from that place TO the British minis 2
ter at this capital, in which the writer 70.
licitod an expression OF his views in regard
to certain unsettled diplomatic questions
between the United States aud Great
Britain, stating at the same time that such
an expression was sought by him
Tor tho purpose Of determining
his vote al the approaching prcsiden-
tial election. lie stated that he
was naluralizcd citizen Of the United
States OF English birth, but he s,ill consid-
cred England tho mother country, and
this fact lcd him 20 seek advice from the
British representative in this country. lie
further stated that the information he
sought was not Tor himself alone, but 10
enAblc him 90 give certain assurances 10
many other persons Ia the samc situation
as himself, for tic purpose Of influencing
and determining their political action as
ciiizons OF tho United States OF Engiish
birth, but who sill regarded their Ollaual
obligations OF allegiance as paramount.
The letter also contained gross reflections
up0n the conduct of ihis government In
respect 10 questions now In controversy
and unsettled between the United States
and Gnat Britain, and both directly and
indirectly imputed inslncCrity in such con-
duct.
10 this letter the British ministerial once
rphcd from Beverly, MasS, under date ol
thc l3'h oi september last In this reply
hc.flulcd that ANY political party which
openly layOrs the mother country Mt tho
present moment would loss popularity,
aud that the party In power is iully aware
oi That fact; aud that Ia respect 10 the
questions with Canada which have been
unfortunately rcOpcncd since the rejection
IT lhJ fisheries tncaty 10y the Republican
majority IN the Senate aud by the Pn'si-
dents mc cage, tO which you alludc, oil
allowances must therefore be- made for the
political situation m regards the prOsi-
dental election" The minister thus gave
his a.scnt aud sanction 10 tho aspersious
aid impuiaiions above referred 10.
Thus, under hr,coucspondcnfs assnr-
ancc ol secrecy, tn which the minister con-
CURED by marking his answer private"
he undertook 20 advise q citiEcn Of tho
United states how 10 exercise the franchise
of suffrage in an election close at hand for
the presidency aud vice presidency Ol tho
United States and through him, ~ tho
lotior suggested, 10 influence the votes Of
many others
Uion this correspondence being made
public, the minisicf.rocciycd the Tcprcscn-
iatiyus Of tho public press. and In frequent
with thom, intended for publi-
cation, added 10 the impugnments which
be hid already made Of the good faith OF
the government la lis public action and in-
tcrnalional dealings. Although ample time
aud opportunity have been Afforded him
iur the liss,owal, modification or corrcc-
ton oi wi. statements, 70 some Of which
his attention was called personally by the
undersigned, vet no such disayowul OF
modification has been made by him
through the channels IN which his stale
mcns first found publicity.
The question u thus presented, whether
II h compatible with the dignity, security
aud independent sovereignty Of the United
States t0 permit the representative OF a
ioutigi government Ia this country not
only in =, G.. i've aud answer with0ul disap-
proul, and confirm by his repetition ~.
pgn.l0ns upon is political action, but also
10 interfere IN iiA domestic Affairs by all
yisng persons formerly his couuifymcn ns
10 ihDif political sOuIBe rs ciIinus VI Tie
United states
As between this country and Great
Britiln there can be no controversy ~ 70
the complete severance Oi iis ol lkInal
allegiance by naturalization. Disuu'os on
this point Ncr finally put al vai hy me
truaiy Of naturalization concluded hy lhe
two couutrius 0n the l3th OF May, lofv'
Thcvioro II will not be conicndcd nor vas
such contention eter admitted 10y us, tnst
citizens 0i thc Uiiicd states oi bnush
orhn are subject 10 any claim oil the
country Il ilirlf Orisin allegiance.
The undersigned nlno has the honor 10
cali attention 10 tho provisions OF section
o. 8.ij oi the revised statutes Of the United
sinics by which severe penalties arc
visited upon the citizen OF the United
States who, without tho authority OF per
mission Of this government commences
or carries ON any verbal or miiicn cor
rapundcncc or intenouue With ANY Tor
oign gorcmncnt or any officer or agent
thereof" either With m intent 10 influence
a.. asti.n of aurh poXpfnmgut or its
agents, In relation to any disputes or con.