No. 435.
Mr. Magee
to Mr. Bayard.
Stockholm, March 22, 1886. (Received April 26.)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 22, of date March 4, 1886, in reference to the deportation of criminal and pauper persons to the United States from the United Kingdom, and have noted your suggestions as to telegraphing, &c.
Since my residence here I have tried to acquaint myself with such facts as are important to know, in order to arrive at any sort of judgment in reference to this question, and have found at all times a perfect willingness on the part of the authorities to extend to me all information on the subject. Of course much depends upon the consul, who always has knowledge of the clearances of vessels to American ports, and I am satisfied the consul at this city is very vigilant in the discharge of his duties.
On account of the very severe depression in all classes of business, with thousands of people out of employment, it is possible there may be a large emigration to the United States this spring and summer, and it is not improbable some persons coming under the head of paupers may find their way across the Atlantic; but, taking into consideration the numerous embarking ports, both on the Baltic and North Sea—the German and Danish ports—it would be a physical impossibility for the [Page 844] Government of the United Kingdom to give to each of its emigrating citizens a certificate of character.
The law of the United Kingdom, as it is now, prohibits the emigration of a citizen without first procuring such a certificate, but it does not prevent them from embarking from ports located in territory over which it has no jurisdiction.
Whatever I may accomplish by personal watchfulness in this matter will be done.
I have, &c.,