No. 9.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Francis.
Washington, August 7, 1884.
Sir: It appears by a cable dispatch published in a morning journal of New York on the 17th ultimo that the Austrian Government has adopted measures to put a stop to Mormon proselytizing, and that the Vienna police have been ordered to arrest all Mormon missionaries engaged in obtaining converts and immigrants for Utah.
Inasmuch as the Mormons, exercising polygamy and making it a part of their religious creed, constantly increase in number by reason of accessions from Europe recruited by emissaries from Utah in foreign countries, any steps taken by the Austrian authorities to repress the organization of these unlawful enterprises by agents who are thus operating [Page 11] beyond the reach of the law of the United States should be promptly recognized as in the interest of peace and morality.
You are instructed, therefore, to make an official investigation in the premises, to ascertain whether any steps having such an object in view have been taken by the Austrian authorities.
In case you find that such steps have been taken, you are directed to promptly recognize the act in the sense indicated, and report the circumstances in full to this Department.
I am, &c.,