Mr. Fogg to the, Federal Council.
The undersigned, minister resident, &c., &c., has the honor to acknowledge the note of the high federal council concerning the case of a certain named John Zweifel, alleged to have been in the canton of St. Gall, from whence he emigrated to the United States, and was naturalized in Brooklyn, State of New York, and shortly after returned to St. Gall, married a woman of the commune of Rieden, in said canton, where he is now living with his family in great poverty, the result of pulmonary disease.
In response to the demand of the government of St. Gall forwarded by the federal council, that aid be furnished to the said John Zweifel and his family, the undersigned would say that, while he profoundly sympathises with the unfortunate condition of Mr. Zweifel, he has no authority to furnish or procure the aid asked for. The government of the United States takes no cognizance of poverty or mendicity. It is a question exclusively for the several states, countries, and communes. By the laws of the several states, provision is made for the aid and maintenance of all poor persons without distinction of origin or nationality, [Page 397] who may find themselves within the limits of those States; but there is no law requiring the authorities of those States to follow and relieve the necessities of persons, whether native or naturalized citizens, who choose to emigrate and become residents of a foreign country.
To return to Mr. Zweifel, the undersigned, without wishing to discuss the question, would respectfully suggest a doubt whether the case comes fairly within the provision of “article 3 of the treaty concluded between Switzerland and the United States, the 25th Nov. 1850.” The question may be raised, is not Switzerland “le pays dont il (Mr. Zweifel) est originaire?”
The undersigned avails himself of the occasion to renew, &c., &c., &c.