Mr. Dayton to Mr.
Seward
No. 549.]
Paris,
October 17, 1864.
Sir: I have received the enclosed slip, cut
from the Courier de Lyon, from our vice-consul at that place. I send it,
with its translation, in the hope and expectation that you may give it
an explicit denial for publication at Lyons. Our vice-consul at that
place says this statement, and others of the like kind, are interfering
seriously with emigration to our country from that district of
France.
The official or semi-official journals of this country constantly publish
and republish matter of this kind. The whole government press of this
country, so far as the same has come under my observation, seems,
directly or indirectly, to make common cause against us. The fact that
it does so keeps me in a state of anxiety for the future. It can have no
object except to prepare the public mind for some future action if
occasion shall arise for it.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.
[Extract from the Courier de Lyon.]
TRANSLATION.
On the 29th of August, 1864, the ship Guerland, from Anvers, with 251
French and Belgian emigrants, engaged as laborers, arrived at the
entrance of Boston harbor. As soon as she was telegraphed, three
steamers, having on board a company of federal soldiers, went to
meet her. The passengers were ordered to sign a written engagement
and to go on board the steamers. It was an engagement to serve as
soldiers, and they could not obtain a translation thereof. They had
been promised (as workmen) a premium of 500 francs and a week’s
salary, payable on their arrival. The soldiers wanted to force them
to sign a paper they did not understand. They refused. They were
kept for twenty-four hours on board the steamer without food. On the
31st some of the passengers, who had money, were landed in Boston at
their own expense; the others (220) had to sign. They were
transferred to a fort. The engagements were exhibited to them and
translated. They were soldiers, and had to take the uniform. A
Frenchman (Sincrit) and two Belgians (Albreght and Verheyden)
refused the uniform and were put in irons. Those who obeyed received
each $100 in greenbacks.
