Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
No. 299.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
April 10, 1866.
Sir: I bave the honor to transmit a copy of a
communication received at this legation on the 28th ultimo from the
minister of foreign affairs, and marked enclosure No. 1, in reference to
certain steps taken by the consul at Marseilles for the distribution of
a pamphlet emitled, Lois pour encourager l’emigration,
pour la protection des passagers, et pour garantir un asile aux
colonisateurs actuels, &c.
I immediately addressed the consul a communication, of which enclosure
No. 2 is a copy, and in a few days received in reply enclosures Nos. 3,
4, 5, 6, 7.
After a careful perusal of these documents, I addressed a communication,
of which enclosure No. 8 is a copy, to the minister of foreign affairs.
I made no comment upon the reasons assigned by the minister of the
interior for refusing the application of our consul—
First. Because it was apparent from the whole tenor of the despatch that
this government does not look with favor upon any efforts to induce
emigration from France; and
Secondly. Because it was specially requested by my predecessor, Mr.
Mason, as I have discovered in the course of my researches in the
archives, to prohibit contracts being made in France with emigrants
going to the United States, on account of the fraudulent abuses to which
the practice often subjected them.
I think the recent political reaction of the emigrant population from
Ireland against the mother country has had its influence in determining
this goverment to guard itself against a similar inconvenience. I the
more incline to this opinion from the gratuitous rigor with which
naturalized Americans of French origin have, in repeated instances, been
treated by the authorities here, under the pretext that they were liable
to military service. I shall soon have occasion to invite your attention
to a correspondence which has passed between this legation and the
minister of foreign affairs upon this subject.
The brilliant reports which emigranes bring back from the country of
their adoption, and which personal vanity often tempts them to
exaggerate, have a very unsettling influence upon the minds of ignorant
peasants, to whom they are generally addressed. It is not strange,
therefore, that the police soon find some pretext for removing these
eloquent apostles of democracy from the reach of those likely to be
rendered discontented by their revelations.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 288]
[Translation.]
Mr. De Lhuys to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: I have just received from the minister
of the interior communication of a pamphlet which the consul of the
United States at Marseilles has recently addressed to the senator
charged with the administration of the “Bouches du Rhone,” and which
is entitled “Laws for encouraging emigration, for the protection of
passengers,” &c. The consul of the United States at Marseilles
has, at the same time, inquired of Mr. Maupas whether there was
anything which would hinder him, in conformity with the desire of
his government, from making free distribution of this pamphlet in
places, dependencies of his consulate.
I need not point out to you, sir, the irregularity of the step taken
in this matter by the consul of the United States at Marseilles. It
is, in fact, through the medium of your legation and my department
that his request should have reached the department of the interior,
and it is in order to avoid departure from diplomatic usages that
the Marquis De Lavalette begs me to bring to your knowledge the
course of which this business has seemed to him to be
susceptible.
As to what concerns the purpose itself of the communication of the
consul of the United States at Marseilles, the minister of the
interior, after having examined the pamphlet remitted to Mr. Maupas,
as well as the manuscript analysis accompanying it, found that there
would be inconveniences in authorizing the distribution through the
departments of the empire of documents which, like those, present
the character of an appeal in favor of emigration. The French
administration has always been opposed to the sending of addresses
among the native-born operatives; besides, in deviating now from
this line of conduct in favor of an undertaking of emigration to the
United States, it would create a precedent of which emigration
agencies belonging to other nationalities might avail themselves.
The minister of the interior adds, that as a consequence of the
authorization which might be given for the circulation of the
pamphlet in question, this distribution would be carried out under
the cloak of an administrative stamping, and it would be to be
feared that emigrants, misapprehending the significance of this
formality, might see in it a sort of guarantee of the advantages
which should be offered to them.
For these reasons the Marquis De Lavalette does not think he could
authorize the senator charged with the administration of the Bouches
du Rhone to accede to the request of the consul of the United States
at Marseilles.
Receive, sir, the assurances of the high consideration with which I
have the honor to be, sir, your very humble and very obedient
servant,
Mr. Bigelow, Minister
of the United States at Paris.
Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Fleurot
Legation of the United
States, Paris,
March 29,
1866.
Dear Sir: I enclose a copy of a
communication which I have just received from the Minister of
Foreign Affairs. Will you be good enough to send me two copies of
the pamphlet referred to, with a brief statement of what may have
passed between you and the administrative authorities of the Bouches
du Rhone?
I remain, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
Mr. Gabriel G. Fleurot, United States Consul at Marseilles.
Mr. Fleurot to Mr. Bigelow
Consulate of the United
States, Marseilles,
March 30, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of 29th instant, with enclosure, a copy of a
dispatch addressed to you from the minister of foreign affairs; and
in compliance with your request I hasten to enclose the following
documents relating to the subject referred to, the same being copies
of the originals on file and in the records of this office, viz:
No. 1. Copy of a printed circular from the Department of State,
(Bureau of Immigration.)
No. 2. Copy of my predecessor’s letter to Mr. le Senateur, (26th
February, 1866.)
No. 3. Copy of a letter from Mr. le Senateur to myself, (27th March,
1866.)
No. 4. Copy of letter, my reply to Mr. le Senateur, (29th instant;)
and, finally, the “two”
[Page 289]
copies of the pamphlet, with annexed copy of explanatory remarks,
(A,) referred to in the correspondence of my predecessor.
I believe these copies embrace all the proceedings, and will,
perhaps, more satisfactorily explain the subject than any other form
of statement transmitted.
Any instructions or opinion you may deem expedient or advisable to
transmit in aid to the subject, will receive my close and immediate
attention.
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
G. G. FLEUROT, United States
Consul.
Hon. John Bigelow, Minister of the United States, Paris.
[Printed circular.]
Department of State, Bureau
of Immigration, Washington,
October 2,
1865.
Sir: Pursuant to the act of Congress
entitled “An act to encourage immigration,” approved July 4,
1864, a copy of which I enclose, as well as of other acts having
the same tendency, I have the honor to transmit to you copies of
a compilation of these acts, and of the “homestead act” and
other documents relating to the same subject, in the language of
the country to which you are
accredited; and I have the authority of the Secretary of State
to request of you to distribute these copies to individuals
interested in the subject of emigration, and to disseminate, by
all means at your command, a knowledge of the inducements
offered by this country to foreign emigrants, as contained in
those documents.
The provisions of the laws of pre-emption, and other local
technicalities, render the language of the “homestead act”
peculiar and ambiguous to the unprepared mind, and you will
confer an additional favor on this “bureau” if you would
accompany the distribution of the pamphlets with such
explanations as will elucidate that important act to parties
interested therein. But in all your proceedings you will
studiously take care not to contravene the laws, policy, or
sentiments of the government to which you are accredited, or to
excite any unkindly feelings on the part of the government or
the people of that country.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
H. N. CONGAR, Commissioner of
Immigration.
United States Consul, Marseilles, France.
[Translation.]
Brief of an act to encourage
emigration.
Consulate of the United
States, Marseilles,
December 10, 1865.
Article 1. The essential clauses of this
act refer to a Bureau of Emigration established by the government of the United States in the city of New
York. The object of this bureau is to protect emigrants against all
sorts of frauds and deceit, on their arrival in America; to furnish
them gratuitously all the information they may need, and facilitate,
at the least possible expense and delay, their settlement in this
country.
Art. 2. American agencies of a private
nature have been opened at different parts in
Europe, having for purpose to introduce workmen for mills,
workshops, mines, and other branches of industry. This article is
connected with giving effect in the United States to all contracts
through which the emigrant could be enabled to hypothecate his labor
in America in reimbursement of the expenses of his emigration.
Art. 3. Is of no consequence, the
insurrection having been completely extinguished.
The letter following (pages 4, 5) from Mr. Bowen, Commissioner of
Emigration, relates to carrying out the regulations contained in the
precedent act.
The law printed on page 6 was passed by the American Congress to
insure the fullest proection to all classes of emigrants, during the
course of the voyage to the United States.
An act to guarantee a home to actual
settlers on the public lands.
This act concedes to every person who is head of a family, of
twenty-one years of age, a lot of land of 160 acres, (about 165
hectares,) on condition such individuai becomes a citizen of the
United States, engages to cultivate the land during five years, and
pays 50 francs for surveying and registry fees.
[Page 290]
The public lands to which this act is applicable embrace a
superficies of 2,000,000 of square miles, (about 5,176,000 square
kilometres,) extending from 24° to 49°, and mainly situate between
the Pacific ocean and the river Mississippi. The territory embraces
every kind of mineral land, down to the prairie lands, which are not
less sought after.
This region is rich in precious stones, in gold, in silver, in
copper, in iron, in tin, in quick-silver, in lead, in marble, in
gypsum, in salt, and in petroleum.
The annual value of gold extracted in these regions, still almost
uninhabited, is about 150 millions to 2 billions of francs; silver
to 3 millions.
The fertility of the prairies is not surpassed by that of any country
in the world; in many places the bed of vegetable soil reaches a
depth of several feet, and occasionally this depth is even
twenty-five feet.
The public lands are divided into sections of 15,528 metres square,
and subdivided into sections, and these into quarter sections,
forming a surface of about 64 hectares.
The American system of registration, which consists in dividing the
soil into squares by means of marked lines running north and south,
and east and west, is so simple that it has so far prevented any
controversy relative to boundaries or titles to grants.
The American governmect grants a quarter-section to each citizen, as
has been said before. This quarter-section may be selected in any
part of the public domain. That which much enhances the value of
these lands for those who should decide to occupy them, is, that
occording to the provisions of law, two sections, (1,280 acres, or
517 hectares, 88 ares,) are reserved within each boundary of six
miles square, (15 kilometres, 528 metres square,) to be sold, and
the product devoted to the establishment of free schools, so that
the moral and intellectual progress of the country may keep pace
with its physical development.
[Translation.]
Consulate of the United States
of America, Marseilles, February 26,
1866.
Mr. Senator: I have the honor to annex
under this enclosure copy of a pamphlet which has been sent to me
from Washington to be distributed in localities dependent on my
consulate, as well as some lines in explanation, which I propose to
have printed and to add the thereto, in conformity with the wishes
of my government.
I have the honor, Mr. Senator, to submit these documents to your
appreciation, and to request you will please to let me know, if any
objections exist, or what will be the formalities necessary to
permit the distribution.
Please accept, sir and senator, the assurance of my highest
consideration.
GEORGE W. VAN HORNE, Consul of the United
States.
M. Senator, Charged
with the Administration of the Department of the Bouches du
Rhone.
[Translation.]
Prefecture of the Bouches of the
Rhone, First Division, Emigration, Marseilles, March 27, 1866.
Mr. Consul: By a letter dated 26th of
February last, your predecessor did me the honor to communicate to
me a pamphlet on emigration, which had been sent to him from
Washington to be distributed in places dependent on the consulate of
the United States at Marseilles, and also some lines of explanations
which he intended to have printed, and to annex to the pamphlet, in
accordance with the wish of his government.
On submitting these documents to my appreciation, Mr. Van Horne
begged me to let him know whether anything opposed their
distribution.
The distribution of pamphlets and writings of the nature of those in
question, and which have for purpose to appeal under such form as
may be to emigrants, constitutes in fact a veritable movement for
the engagement of emigrants, and thereby comes under the application
of the law of the 18th of July, 1860, in virtue of which no one may
undertake operations relating to emigration without especial
authority from the minister of agriculture, commerce, and public
works. In what concerns this distribution the agencies legally
authorized would, besides, have to conform to the regulations which
govern colportage.
Receive, Mr. Consul, the assurance of my most distinguished
consideration.
The senator in charge of the administration of the department of the
Bouches la Rhone, by delegation:
L. TANJOUIX, Secretary
General.
Consul
of the United States at Marseilles.
[Page 291]
[Translation.]
Consulate of the United States
of America, Marseilles,
March 29, 1866.
Mr. Senator: By the letter which you have
done me the honor to address to me, dated 27th of this month, you
are pleased to inform me that relative to the subject which was the
motive for the letter of my predecessor, dated 26th February last,
and accompanying a pamphlet on emigration, by the terms of the laws
of France the distribution of pamphlets and writings of the nature
of that in question cannot be made without special authority from
the French government.
In consequence, Mr. Senator, I now thank you for the information you
have communicated to me on this question, and which enlightens me as
to the illegality of measures which might be taken outside of these
reservations, and of those on agencies lawfully authorized for this
purpose, on which will devolve the need of taking care to act within
the competency of the privileges granted to them in the distribution
of said pamphlet, which has no other purpose than to bring to the
knowledge of emigrants to the United States what advantages are
offered to them, what lively solicitude for their interests, and the
protection given to their persons by the government of the United
States.
Please accept, sir, the assurance of my most distinguished
consideration.
G. G. FLEUROT, Consul of the United States
of America.
The Senator
in charge of the Administration of the
Department of Bouches du Rhone.
Mr. Bigelow to Monsieur de Lhuys
Legation of the United
States, Paris,
April 5, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your excellency’s favor of the 27th ultimo, relating to
the steps taken by the late consul of the United States at
Marseilles for the distribution of a pamphlet entitled, “Lois pour
encourager l’emigration pour la protection des passagers,” &c.
Your excellency directs my attention to the irregularity on the part
of the consul in addressing his inquiries to the senator charged
with the administration of the Bouches du Rhone, Monsieur de Maupas,
instead of addressing them to your excellency, through the
representative of his government resident at Paris. In reference to
the subject-matter of the consul’s inquiry, your excellency informs
me that the imperial government has always discouraged appeals in
favor of emigration addressed to native workmen, and that the
consul’s application has been declined.
As to the irregularity of the consul in addressing himself to the
senator charged with the administration of the Bouches du Rhone,
permit me to remark in his justification that his application
included a request to be informed what formalities would be
necessary to secure the privilege of distributing the pamphlet in
question. Had Monsieur de Maupas invited the consul to make his
application to your excellency through the diplomatic representative
of his government, such a reply would have been strictly responsive
to the consul’s inquiry. I mention this merely to justify the
expression of my own conviction that the late consul at Marseilles
had no intention to so far depart from the wishes of his government
as to attempt to bring the advantages of emigration to the United
States before the people of France in an irregular way.
I shall not fail to take note of and communicate to my government the
objection raised by his excellency the minister of the interior to
the diffusion of information designed to encourage emigration from
France.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your excellency the
assurances of the high consideration with which I have the honor to
be your very obedient and very humble servant,
His Excellency Drouyn de Lhuys, &c., &c.,
&c.