No. 692.
Mr. Fish
to Mr. Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Berne, April 25, 1881.
(Received May 10.)
No. 397.]
Sir: On the 12th of September, 1879, as I was
leaving my residence with the Hon. George M. Robeson, formerly Secretary of
the Navy, I was stopped as we were about getting into the cab, which was at
the gate, by a man, who presented me a petition, stating that he desired to
go to the United States, and was endeavoring to collect the money by
subscription for that purpose. He produced the impression of a man of about
thirty years of age, able-bodied, but somewhat the worse from the effects of
drink. I had not time then to examine the petition closely, and confined
myself to an abrupt refusal, and telling him that there was no demand for
such immigrants as he. I noted, however, his name, as given in the petition.
The cab-driver told me that he knew the man, whose name was Benedict
Eberhard, of Münchenbuchsee (canton Berne), and that he had frequently been
imprisoned. In my hurried examination of the list of subscribers I
recognized that of one of my colleagues.
Subsequent inquiry of the police confirmed the statement of the
cab-driver.
The numerous complaints of improper emigration from this country to the
United States, and the open admission of the president of the poor-board of
Rudolfingen that Ruegger was prompted by that board to beg for the means
which enabled him to reach an Ohio poor-house, prompted me to further
investigate the case of Eberhard.
I have in my possession the original petition presented to me by him on the
12th September, 1870, which I have caused to be authenticated by the
competent authorities of the canton, and their signature is authenticated
[Page 1144]
by the Swiss Federal
Chancery. It should not be supposed that the authentication was given at the
time Eberhard went about begging with the petition; they have been since
added to establish the authenticity of the signature of the notary who drew
up the document, and who recommends Eberhard to the charitable consideration
of his fellow citizens.
The notary, who was at that time the town clerk, was of opinion that it would
be a piece of good luck for Eberhard’s native place (München-buchsee), as
well as that of his present domicile (Zollikofen), could he find the means
of emigrating. The list shows that this opinion was shared by a large number
of his fellow townsmen and neighbors, and that the burgess of the former
place, who would be compelled to contribute towards the support of himself
and family in case of their falling into distress, as well as the cashier of
the poor fund at Zollikofen, shared this opinion. The burgess subscribed for
100 francs, and the poor-fund at Zollikofen subscribed for 40 francs. There
certainly was good reason for their opinion, for at the time it was given
Eberhard had been convicted five times for theft, and had been sentenced to
various terms of imprisonment, amounting in the aggregate to over 3 years
and 3 months.
It may be an interesting subject of inquiry to the citizens of Joliet, Ill.,
to ascertain in what manner he would have benefited their community had the
emigration been effected. Fortunately for them the ob-tuseness of Eberhard
in distinguishing between meum and tuum prevented its accomplishment, as on
the 25th of October, 1879, he was sentenced to four months imprisonment in
the (to him, familiar) house of correction for theft, and on the graver
charge of dangerously threatening life. He has since been punished for
participation in robbing a wood-pile.
The action of the burgess of Münchenbuchsee, of the poor board of Zollikofen,
and the fact that the man was permitted to go begging from door to door with
the sanction of the authorities to whom his vicious and even dangerous
character was known, coupled with the detection of other similar cases, tend
to discredit the claim of the Journal de Genéve, that “the immigration of
which America has reason to complain has never been erected into a system in
Switzerland.”
I submit the circumstances of the present case to your consideration, and
leave it for your judgment to determine whether this attempt to make a
reformatory of Joliet, Ill., on the part of Swiss communal officials calls
for a remonstrance on the part of this legation.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
397.—Translation.]
Begging petition of Benedict
Eberhard to obtain means to emigrate to Joliet, Ill., August 20, 1879.
petition.
The undersigned, Benedict Eberhard, of Münchenbuchsee, a rope maker,
living at Zöllikofen, husband of Maria, born Lehmann, has decided to
emigrate with his family (consisting of his wife, three children, one of
whom was born in wedlock, by his wife, and one child in expectation), to
Joliet, in the State of Illinois, in North America. He has well-founded
prospects to get on better in the world over there than here.
He has, however, for this purpose too little money unless he should reach
the place of destination entirely without means, or should even fail to
reach it. Now the journey thither costs, according to the estimate of
the emigrant agent, Mr. Tanner, in Berne, 638 francs. The communes of
ZoUikofen and Münchenbuchsee it is hoped will contribute,
[Page 1145]
but in any case that would
not be more than sufficient for the family Eberhard to reach their
destination, and there would remain nothing over to enable them to
establish themselves in Joliet.
Under these circumstances Eberhard appeals to the generosity and charity
of his fellow-townsmen in Zöllikofen and in Münchenbuchsee, and expects
from them voluntary contributions for the contemplated emigration; he
believes that his design will meet with approbation on all sides and
opposition from none.
Zollikofen, August 20,
1879.
The intending emigrant.
BENED. EBERHARD.
The undersigned deems that the above-mentioned Bened. Eberhard really
has the intention of emigrating to America, and that it would be a
matter of good luck for his family as well as for his native commune
and that of his present domicile, could the emigration be
effected.
Upon this supposition, the undersigned promises the hereafter stated
contribution towards the expenses of the journey, upon the condition
that the same shall be collected by an official of the commune of
Münchenbuchsee, or of Zollikofen, and handed to the emigration
agent, or sent to America after Eberhard.
Whosoever will contribute under the condition to aid the petitioner
is requested to enter the amount opposite his signature on the list
below.
Münchenbuchsee, August 21,
1879.
FR. HÄBERLI,
Notary, Town
Clerk.
For the genuineness of the foregoing signature
Berne, April 19, 1881.
In the name of the cantonal chancery of the canton of Berne.
The secretary of the chancery.
No. 2,530. 6.60.
Seal of the Staats Canzlei of the republic of Berne, [l. s.]
[Tax stamp, 30 rapp.]
No. 1408, franc 1.
Seen for authentication.
Berne, the 19th April, 1881.
Swiss federal chancery.
Seal of the federal chancery of the Swiss confederation, [l. s.]
[Names and remarks in brackets are erased in the
original.]
|
Signatures of the honorable donors. |
Residences. |
Amount. |
Remarks. |
|
|
|
Francs. |
|
| 1 |
Friedr. Häberli, notary |
Munchenbuchsee |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 2 |
[Dr. Uhlmann] |
Nicht erhalten |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 3 |
[legerlehner] |
Angelsee |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 4 |
[Illegible]. |
Reichenbach |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 5 |
[Ulrich Bärtschi] |
Zollikofen |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 6 |
[D.F. Mutter] |
Hofwyl |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 7 |
[A. J. Anderson] |
V. Fellenburg Inst.
Hofwyl |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 8 |
Nik Schnell Carier |
Munchenbuchsee, not
received. |
10.00 |
Ten francs. |
| 9 |
Dr. Glaser |
Munchenbuchsee, not
received. |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 10 |
[Fran Straub] |
do |
3.00 |
Three francs. |
| 11 |
[E. Martig Pastor] |
do |
1.00 |
One franc. |
| 12 |
[Chr. Kupfer] |
do |
1.00 |
One franc. |
| 13 |
[Gottl. Häberli] |
do |
4.00 |
Received 4. |
| 14 |
[Ed. Balsiger] |
Not recevied |
2.00 |
Two francs. |
| 15 |
[Rügg] |
do |
4.00 |
Four francs. |
| 16 |
[Chrs. Häberli] |
do |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 17 |
[Rudolf Buri] |
do |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 18 |
The Burgess of Munchenbuchsee,
per Schadli, President. |
|
100.00 |
Hundred francs. |
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
[Joh Kobi] |
Munchenbuchsee |
3.00 |
Three francs. |
| 21 |
[Ed. Laughaus] |
do |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 22 |
[Jacob Käch] |
do |
2.00 |
[Two francs.] |
| 23 |
Christian Häberli |
Not received |
3.00 |
Three francs. |
| 24 |
[Fr. Hofer]. |
|
2.00 |
Two francs. |
| 25 |
B. Schnell, at the sand
pit |
Not received. |
2.00 |
Two francs. |
| 26 |
[Jacob Castli] |
Not received. |
3.00 |
Three francs. |
| 27 |
Illegible |
|
1.00 |
[Franken.] |
| 28 |
R. Moser, at Buhlikofen |
Note received |
5.00 |
Five francs. |
| 29 |
[Peter Burkhalter]. |
Not received |
3.00 |
Three francs. |
[Page 1146]
| 30 |
R. Moser, jgr |
Not received, two francs |
2.00 |
Nikl Fahin. |
| 31 |
Rudolf Moser, jgr |
One franc |
1.00 |
Not received. |
| 32 |
The Poor Fund |
Zolliskofen cashier Nieh
Häberli |
40.00 |
Forty francs. |
| 33 |
J b. Häberli |
do |
3.00 |
Three francs. |
| 34 |
Friedrich Häberli, sen. |
M. Buchsee |
5.00 |
|
|
Rudolf Häberli, jr |
do |
3.00 |
|
|
Fritz Bartlone |
Sand-pit not received. |
2.00 |
|
|
(Ilegible) |
|
4.00 |
Four francs. |
|
Do |
|
2.00 |
Two francs. |
|
Joh Kästli |
M. Buchsee |
4.00 |
|
|
Joh Eberhard,
brick-maker. |
Zollikofen |
2.00 |
Two francs. |
|
(Illegible),
tavern-keeper. |
Zollikofen |
4.00 |
Four francs. |
|
Joh Wegmüller |
Reichenbach |
1.00 |
One franc. |
|
G. Heumannn, paid |
Reichenbach |
4.00 |
Four francs. |
|
Joh Hädorn |
Reichenbach |
2.00 |
Two francs. |
|
Widow Otti |
Steinbach not received |
?.00 |
[Two francs.] |
|
J. Ulr. Friedrich,
teacher |
Rutti |
1.00 |
One franc. |
|
(Illegible) |
Zollikofen |
1.00 |
One franc. |
|
(Illegible) |
Landgraben |
2.00 |
Two francs. |
|
Do |
Landgraben |
2.00 |
|
|
[Johannes Haueter] |
Landgraben |
4.00 |
Franken. |
|
[Benedict Haubi] |
Hubel |
2.50 |
Fr. 2, rp. 50. |
|
(Illegible) |
Hubel, not received |
|
|
|
[Mrs. Meister] |
Not received |
|
|
|
E. Maurer |
Not received |
|
|
|
(Illegible) |
Landgraben |
1.00 |
|
|
[Jacob Kœnig, farmer] |
|
4.00 |
Ditto 4. |
|
Chr. Haberli. |
|
4.00 |
|
|
[Ottenfels]. |
Berne |
3.00 |
Three francs paid. |
|
Joh. Otti, nicht erhalten |
Steinibach |
4.00 |
|
|
Joh. Walther |
Diemerswyl |
1.00 |
Not received. |
|
[Fr. Gerber] |
Diemerswyl |
1.00 |
Received 1 franc. |
|
[Jb. Hegg] |
Diemerswyl |
2.00 |
Received 2. |
|
[Fried Walther] |
Diemerswyl |
1.00 |
Ditto 1. |
|
[Widow Baumgartner] |
Diemerswyl |
3.00 |
Ditto 3. |
|
[Benedict Kœnig] |
Diemerswyl |
2.00 |
Ditto 2. |
|
[Benedict Hegg] |
M. Buchsee, fr |
2.00 |
Received franc 2. |
|
[Niklaus Kœnig, Jak] |
Disswyl |
2.00 |
Ditto 2. |
|
(Illegible) |
|
1.00 |
Paid 1. |
|
Do |
|
1.00 |
|
|
[Fr. Schneider] |
Two francs |
|
Paid 2. |
|
[J. Walter] |
Not received |
5.00 |
Paid 5. |
|
[Bend Rufer] |
Not received |
|
Paid 2. |
|
[Bend
Rauber] |
|
|
Paid 2. |
Translator’s Note.—The signatures of the
subscribers on the original petition are for the most part written
in pencil, and from the wear and tear of circulating the document
many of them have become illegible. The crossing out and the remarks
“not received” &c., in the original are likewise either in lead
or blue pencil.
[Inclosure 4 in No.
397.—Translation.]
Certificate of the police at Berne, concerning
Benedict Eberhard.
The undersigned officially certifies hereby that Benedict Aeberhard, son
of Christian and Magdelina Baumann, born in 1851, a rope-maker, has been
punished, as follows:
- 1.
- January 26, 1870, by the judicature at Fraubrunnen to 1 day
imprisonment.
- 2.
- October 2, 1872, magistrate’s court at Burgdorf to 1 month
solitary confinement.
- 3.
- April 4, 1873, to 1½ years house of correction.
- 4.
- November 8, 1875, at the assizes of the second district 16
months in prison. All on account of theft.
- 5.
- September 1, 1877, discharged by the police justice without
costs, and as innocent, on a charge of theft.
- 6.
- January 5, 1878, by the police justice, for theft and to four
months in the house of correction.
- 7.
- October 25, 1879, by the police justice, for theft and
dangerously threatening life, to four months in the house of
correction.
- 8.
- November 20, 1880, by the police justice, for aiding in
stealing wood, to twenty days’ imprisonment and ten francs
fine.
Berne, April 4,
1881.
The secretary of the police department.
VON GOUTER.
Seal of central police, Berne.—[l. s.]
[Page 1147]
For the authenticity of the foregoing signature.
Berne, April 19, 1881.
No. 2532, 60.
In the name of the cantonal chancery, Berne.
The cantonal secretary.
Seal of the cantonal chancery, Berne.—[l.
s.]
No. 1406, fr. 1.
Seen for authentication.
Berne, April 19, 1881.
The Swiss federal chancery.
Seal of the Swiss federal chancery.—[l.
s.]
