Mr. Cramer to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Berne, November 26, 1884. (Received December 9.)
Sir: The following statements are copied from the New Zug Gazette (Neue Zuger Zeitung) of November 22, 1884, viz:
[Translation.]
The petition for pardon of Joseph Binzegger, of Baar, who, in 1867, was sentenced to imprisonment for life on account of repeated incendiarism, together with the letters of recommendation from the director of the prison, the director of police, and the governing council, were read. By secret voting, that is, by 56 out of 66 votes, it was resolved to remit the remainder of the sentence to the petitioner upon the condition of his promised emigration to America.
These statements appeared among the proceedings of the sixth session of the grand council (legislature) of the canton of Zug, as published in the New Zug Gazette of November 22, 1884. I have no reason to doubt their corectness.
The discharge from prison of this Joseph Binzegger (a convict, who, in 1867, had been sentenced to imprisonment for life on account of repeated incendiarism), upon the condition of his emigration to the United States, appeared to me to be such a clear case of violation of the act of Congress entitled “An act to regulate immigration,” approved August 3, 1882, that I felt it my duty to address a note, of this day’s date, to the Federal Council, protesting against the action of the grand council of the canton of Zug, in this case.
A copy of this note is herewith inclosed.
I trust the Department will approve my action in this case.
I am, &c.,