Mr. Seward to Mr. Fogg .
Washington, September 14, 1861.
Sir: Among the important instructions addressed to your predecessor are those concerning the restrictions of certain of the Swiss cantons against citizens of the United States professing Judaism—a subject which received at Mr. Fay’s hands a large share of earnest attention, and upon which he addressed the department repeatedly and at much length. It is very desirable that his efforts to procure the removal of the restrictions referred to—which, though not completely successful, have no doubt had much effect in smoothing the way to such a result—should be followed up by you. You will, therefore, after having fully acquainted yourself with what Mr. Fay has done in the premises, and with the views of the department, as expressed to him in the despatches on file in the legation, take such steps as you may deem judicious and likely to advance the benevolent object in question.
It is not doubted that further proper appeals to the justice and liberality of the authorities of the several cantons whose laws discriminate against Israelitish citizens of the United States will result in a removal of the odious restrictions and a recognition of the just rights of those citizens.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
George G. Fogg, Esq., &c., &c., Berne