Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 5, 1881

No. 705.
Mr. Hunter to Mr. Cramer.

Department of State,
Washington, October 6, 1881.

No. 7.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 9, and of the letter of Consul Byers inclosed therein, relative to an apparent shipment to America of a pauper named A. Steiger, and of his family, by the authorities of Gossau and Altstätten, canton St. Gall, Switzerland.

Your suggestion touching legislation here to supply to our legations means to collect evidence in such cases, and to prevent similar shipments, has been noted, with a view to bringing the subject before Congress. Meanwhile the Department urges and expects diplomatic and consular agents to use the utmost vigilance to discover, and promptness to prevent, as far as possible, the very objectionable shipments to which your dispatch relates.

I am, &c.,

W. HUNTER,
Acting Secretary.