No. 247.
Mr. Evarts to Mr. Outrey.
Washington, January 16, 1880.
Sir: At the instance of the officers of the New York Life Insurance Company I have the honor to invite your attention to the consideration of the subject of the unequal footing upon which that company and similar American corporations stand in France, as compared with like incorporated bodies of other nations. It is understood that, as a general rule, a foreign corporation has no legal status in France, so far, at least, as the protection of its own interests are concerned. It can be held responsible in suits brought against it by Frenchmen, but cannot itself become a plaintiff in the courts of the republic. It is understood, furthermore, that so far as a number of countries are concerned, the disabilities of their coporations in France have been removed by treaty or otherwise, while the restrictions in question still subsist in full force so far as American incorporated companies are concerned, whereby great hardships have been inflicted upon the latter.
In view of the representations which have been made to this Department on this subject, and in view of the privileges accorded to French corporations in the United States, I beg you to do me the favor of furnishing this Department with information as to the precise legal status of American corporations in France as compared with those of other nations, and at the same time to favor me with an expression of your views as to the best method, by treaty or otherwise, of placing the United States, in respect to the matter in question, upon such a footing that the corporations of France and the United States may reciprocally enjoy the same privileges in either country.
Be pleased to accept, &c.,