No. 47.
Mr. West to
Earl Granville.
My Lord: I have the honor to report to your lordship that a bill has been introduced into the Senate by Senator Morgan, of Alabama, to define the rights of American citizens in and when residing in foreign countries. It sets forth that the rights of American citizenship in foreign countries, which are required to be protected in the manner and by the means provided in section 2001 of the Revised Statutes, extend to and include the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to be exempt from domiciliary visits without legal warrant, according to the forms of law of the country in which they are dwelling; and the right on demand of themselves or counsel to be informed of the nature and cause of any accusation against them, when they are under arrest or are imprisoned upon a suspicion, or accusation, or charged of being guilty of any crime or offense against the laws of such foreign country; and the right of trial in such cases within a reasonable time to be confronted with witness against them, to have compulsory process for obtaining witness in their favor, and to have counsel for their defense. This bill was read and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
I have, &c.,