Mr. Seward to Mr.
Morris
No. 141.]
Department of State,
Washington,
May 10, 1867.
Sir: Herewith I enclose a transcript of a
communication from Mr. Myer S. Isaacs, secretary of the Board of
Delegates of American Israelites at New York, of date the 19th ultimo,
relative to the alleged deplorable condition of the Jewish population at
Servia on account of the administration of certain severe laws which
have gone into effect since the reorganization of that government.
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You are instructed to cause inquiries to be made, at your earliest
opportunity, in regard to the statements put forth in Mr. Isaac’s
letter, and report to this department the result of such inquiries.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
E. Joy Morris, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Constantinople.
Mr. Isaacs to Mr. Seward
Board of Delegates of American
Israelites,
New York,
April 19, 1867.
Honored Sir: In behalf of the executive
committee of the board, I would respectfully call the attention of
the State Department to the fact that in the recently reorganized
government of Servia severe laws and a painfully proscriptive
administration of them have rendered the condition of the Jewish
population deplorable in the extreme. In this exigency our oppressed
brethren cry out for help, and rely upon their co-religionists
dwelling in the liberal and enlightened countries of Europe and
America to exercise their influence with the Servian authorities, so
as to secure the removal of the odious disabilities now rendering
the condition of Servian Jews simple slavery.
Representations made to the French and British governments by the
central organizations of Israelites in France and Great Britain
respectively have, this committee is informed, met with favorable
consideration and intimations that the ministers of these nations at
Constantinople would submit to the Servian prince remonstrances
expressive of their sense of the injustice, cruelty, and despotism
characterizing the laws and practices of the principality with
reference to the Jews.
This executive committee would respectfully ask the State Department
to forward instructions to the minister resident of the United
States at Constantinople, to the end that he may investigate the
subject, and, if he deem the occasion fitting, represent to the
Servian government, in the name of liberty and humanity, that the
United States cannot but deplore the cruel and inhuman laws and
practices directed against the Jews of that principality. This
committee entertain the hope and conviction that representations on
the part of our nation’s envoy will produce a salutary effect,
contribute to the recognition of the right of Jewish citizens to the
like privileges with Christians and Mohammedans, and once more
demonstrate the interest the United States will ever take, and the
great moral power this country exercises, in the maintenance of
civil and religious liberty wherever denied.
Confidently relying upon the department’s consideration and sympathy,
as heretofore manifested on similar occasions, I am, in behalf of
the executive committee,
Very respectfully, yours,
MYER S. ISAACS, Secretary, 243 Broadway.
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State.
