No. 208.
Mr. Hoppin
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
London, October 8, 1879.
(Received October 22.)
No. 66.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 39, of the 4th of
September last, I have the honor to inclose a copy of a note, which I
received this morning from Lord Salisbury, in reply to the one I addressed
to him on the 25th of August last, upon the subject of Mormon emigration
from this country to the United States.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in Mr. Hoppin’s No.
66.]
Mr. Salisbury to
Mr. Hoppin.
Foreign
Office, October 6,
1879.
Sir: I referred to Her Majesty’s secretary of
state for the home department your letter of the 25th of August,
conveying to me the wish of your government that steps should be taken
by Her Majesty’s Government to prevent the adoption of the doctrines of
Mormonism by persons in this country, and the emigration to the United
States of persons emigrating for the purpose of joining the Mormon
community at Salt Lake, in the Territory of Utah; and I have the honor
to acquaint you that a reply has been received, stating that Her
Majesty’s Government have no authority to place any restraint on
emigration or to interfere with regard to the opinions which may be held
by British subjects on questions of religion or morality so long as no
act is committed which is a breach of the law of England, and that they
are therefore powerless to carry out the measures suggested by you.
I have to add, however, that Mr. Cross will cause a notice to be inserted
in the newspapers, cautioning persons against being deceived by
Mormonite emissaries, and making generally known the law of the United
States affecting polygamy, as set forth in your letter, and the
penalties attaching to infringement thereof.
I have, &c.,
