Mr. Morris to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of despatches Nos. 142, 143, and 144. In reference to the last-numbered despatch I beg leave to state that some six weeks since, prior to his departure on conge I had a conversation with Mr. Golesco, the agent of the Danubian principalities, on the alleged persecution of the Jews in that government. I understood from him that the vexatious measures in question had been adopted to prevent the entrance into the principalities of an inordinate number of Jews from the neighboring provinces of Austria, most of whom were in a necessitous condition, and who were likely to increase the poverty and distress already prevailing in Moldavia and Wallachia. He denied that there had been any real persecution, and claimed that the action of the government was of a purely defensive character, and rendered necessary by the state of affairs in the country.
I replied that whatever might be the object of the government, it had all the appearance of a religious persecution, and that its tendency was to impair confidence in Prince Hohenzollern as a liberal and enlightened ruler. I assured him that the sympathies of the government of the United States with that of Prince Hohenzollern, already manifested in the creation of a consulate at Bucharest, would be impaired unless these proscriptive measures against the Jews were discontinued. He promised to express my views at Bucharest.
[Page 14]Through the interference of the Emperor Napoleon these alleged persecutions have been discontinued. Should they be revived, I shall in a proper form endeavor, through Mr. Golesco, on his return, to use my official influence for their suppression.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.