Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, For the Year 1887, Transmitted to Congress, With a Message of the President, June 26, 1888
No. 255.
Mr. Vignaud to Mr. Bayard.
Paris, July 22, 1887. (Received August 1.)
Sir: In addition to the papers in support of Baron Seillière’s claim, forwarded with Mr. McLane’s dispatch No. 442, of the 6th instant, I have the honor of sending herewith, at the request of Mr. Kelly, supplementary, affidavits as to domicile and to sanity. Mr. Kelly requests me also to state that as the baron has been released on the 19th instant the intervention of our Government to reach that end is no longer sought. Mr. Kelly adds, however, that as it is the intention of the baron to submit to the Attorney-General certain questions affecting his rights and remedies, and as to the nature and extent of the protection and assistance to which he is entitled from our Government, the Department would greatly oblige the baron and himself, his counsel, by holding all the papers submitted to the order of the Attorney-General.
I send herewith a corrected list of said papers.
I have, etc.,
Corrected list of affidavits accompanying memorandum re Raymond Seillière.
| As to Ms sanity.—Affidavit of (1) Commander d’Ullrnann, (2) Dr. Charles II. Gifford, (3) Dr. Phillip M. Harder, (4) Charles F. Livermore, (5) J. Baudrais, (6) M. Ravaut, (7) Louis Bontron, (8) John Darling (valet), (9) Leduc (valet), (10) Mme. Krantz (ladies’ maid), (11) Bonardi (butler), (12) Mme. Bonardi ((ladies’ maid); and subsequently submitted: (13) Mrs. Pierson, (14) Miss De Wolfe, (15) Kate Carroll (maid). | As it his domicile.—Affidavit of (A) Commander d’Ullmann, (B) Dr. Gifford, (C) Dr. Harder, (D) Mr. Livermore, (E) John Darling (valet), (F) Joseph Baudrais; and subsequently submitted: (G) Mrs. Pierson, (H) Miss DeWolfe, and (I) Kate Carroll (maid), (J) John Mullaly, (K) Louis de L’Espée, (L) Adolph von Hiigel, (M) An tome Jakomet, and (N) certified copy of oath and declaration of intent to, become a citizen. |
Affidavits as to sanity.
XIII.
Consulate-General of the United
States
At Paris, France, ss:
Augusta Pierson, being duly sworn, deposes and says as follows: I am a resident of the city of New York, and of the age of twenty-one years and over; I am well acquainted with Baron Raymond Seillière; I first met him in New York in or about the month of December, 1885. Since that time I have repeatedly seen him, and for the last seven months I have known him quite well. Ho crossed the Atlantic in the same steamer as myself and my party, viz, the Gascogne of the French line, which left New York on the 7th of May. He was in our society during nearly all the voyage. We all landed at Havre on the 15th of May, and came directly to Paris, where we were at the same hotel—Hotel Vendôme. I saw him every day during our stay in Paris up to and including the 19th of May. I saw him on the afternoon of that day within half an hour of his keeping an appointment with his aunt, the Duchesse de Berghes. During all the several months of our acquaintanceship, which was there abruptly terminated (for I have not seen him since he left to keep this appointment), the baron was a cheerful, healthy, energetic man, of great vigor, both mental and physical. He talked much and extremely well. He was extremely clear-headed, and always impressed me as being one of the best informed men of my acquaintance, and in all topics of conversation he manifested a sagacity and acuteness which were most stimulating and interesting. His bodily vigor was remarkable; he had the air of being a very healthy man. He was a man of strong personality, and was not wanting in the small eccentricities which are commonly found in such a character. I have talked with him and have heard him talking with others, and have often heard him made the subject of conversation. I have never known his saying or doing anything which has either suggested to my mind or called forth the suggestion or intimation from others in my presence that he was at all wanting in mental soundness, or other than a perfectly sound man. I have always, since I knew him at all, considered him a man of unusual ability and soundness of judgment. During the few days which we spent in Paris, up to and including the 19th of May, and at the moment I last saw him, which, as I have said, was half an hour before his disappearance, he was unchanged, and to the best of my knowledge and belief a perfectly sane man.
[seal.]
Vice-Consul-General, Paris.
XIV.
Consulate-General of the United
States of America
At Paris, France,
ss:
Elsie Anderson de Wolfe, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
I reside at 139 West Thirty-fourth street, New York City, and am of the age of twenty-one years and over. I am well acquainted with the Baron Raymond Seillière.
[Page 345]I knew him in America and saw him frequently during the last winter. I have known him quite Well for the last five months prior to the 19th May. I have often conversed with him and heard him converse with and made the subject of conversation by others. I have had frequent opportunities of observing his bearing and demeanor, but it never occurred to my mind nor was it ever suggested in my hearing that he was other than a perfectly sane but somewhat eccentric man. He was always genial, cheerful, and kindly, and apparently in as perfect health mentally as he was physically.
[seal.]
Vice-Consul-General, Paris.
XV.
Consulate-General of the United
States of America
At Paris, France,
ss:
Kate Carroll, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
I reside at 154 Madison avenue, New York city, and am of the age of twenty-one years and over. I was a passenger by the steamer Gascogne of the French line, which left New York on the7th day of May, 1887, and arrived at Havre on the 15th day of May. Baron Raymond Seillière was a passenger on the same steamer. I saw him continually, and had frequent opportunities of remarking his bearing and demeanor. It never crossed my mind that he was other than an entirely sane man. He was vigorous and energetic, conversing freely with his fellow-passengers, and being constantly about with them. I have heard him talk a great deal, but it never occurred to me that there was anything irrational or peculiar in what he said. He never in my presence, to ray knowledge, manifested anything which seemed to me like hallucination. Taking in review the circumstances of the ocean trip and the impression I then formed, I am satisfied that Baron Seillière was a sane man.
It never would have crossed my mind that he was not a sane man had not the allegation subsequently been made. Although Baron Seillière was frequently the subject of conversation in my presence, I never heard it suggested or hinted that he was in any sense insane or wanting in mental health; and I confidently affirm from my own knowledge that the general opinion of his fellow-passengers was that he was a sane man.
After landing at Havre on the 15th May, the baron, as well as the party with which I was traveling, proceeded at once to Paris, and both he and they took rooms at the Hotel Vendôme. I do not now remember whether we arrived at Paris on the 15th or 16th May. I saw him not only on that day but on several subsequent days, and repeatedly. There was nothing altered in his bearing and nothing to suggest to me that he was otherwise than sane, or to excite remark. He seemed to be in no respect altered from what he was on the steamer. I always considered and still consider that Baron Raymond Seillière, at every time when he came under my observation, was a sane man.
[seal,]
Vice-Consul-General, Paris.
Affidavits as to domicile.
G.
Consulate-General of the United
States
At Paris, France, ss:
Augusta Pierson, being duly sworn, deposes and says as follows:
I am a resident of the city of New York and of the age of twenty-one years and over; I wish to supplement the affidavit this day made by me with the statement that I have repeatedly heard Baron Raymond Seillière declare to me and to others in my presence that he had definitely left France, abandoned his domicile there, and had made and should make his home in America. I understood him also to say that he [Page 346] intended to become an American citizen. He was always very enthusiastic about everything in regard to America, and his expressions were such as to leave no doubt in my mind that he had determined to make it his permanent home.
[seal.]
Vice-Consul-General, Paris.
H.
Consulate-General of the United
States of America
At Paris, France,
ss:
Elsie Anderson de Wolfe, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I reside at 139 West Thirty-fourth street, New York city, and am of the age of twenty-one years’ and over. I am well acquainted with the Baron Raymond Seillière. I knew him in America, and saw him frequently during the last winter. I have repeatedly heard him express in a very emphatic manner his liking for America and the Americans, and I remember to have heard him state that he had left France, and that he had made and should make his home in America. I think I have also heard him say that he intended to become an American citizen. His expressions were such as to leave no doubt in my mind that he had determined permanently to reside in America.
[seal.]
Vice Consul-General, Paris.
I.
Consulate-General of the United
States of America
Paris, France,
ss:
kate Carroll, being duly sworn, deposes and says;
I reside at 154 Madison avenue, New York city, and am of the age of twenty one years and over. I know the Baron Raymond Seillière, and crossed the Atlantic in the same steamer with him, the Gascogne, of the French line, which left New York on the 7th of May. I remember to have heard him declare to others in my presence that it was his intention permanently to reside in America; that his present visit to France was of short duration, and that he had left France for good. His expressions of his intentions to make America his home were most emphatic.
Vice-Consul General, Paris.
J.
United States of
America,
State of New York, City and
County of New York, ss:
John Mullaly, of said city, being by me duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he is personally and intimately acquainted with Baron Raymond Seillière; that he is informed, and believes the fact to be, that the said Baron Seillière is being now detained in an asylum for the insane at Vanves, in the Republic of France; that he has seen and now has in his custody a certified copy the original of his declaration of intentions, in which he declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, which declaration was made on the 6th day of August, 1886, in the district court of the United States for the district of California; and further deponent says that said baron intends to become a citizen of and to reside permanently in the United States. AH of which is to the best of deponent’s knowledge, information, and belief.
Notary Public, New York County.
State of New York,
City and County of New York, ss:
I, James A. Flack, clerk of the city and county of New York, and also clerk of the supreme court for the said city and county, the same being a court of record, do hereby certify that Jacob Washburn before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same a notary public of New York, dwelling in said city and county, duly appointed and sworn, and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any court in said State and for general purposes; that I am Well acquainted with the handwriting of said notary, and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.
[seal.]
Clerk.
K.
United States of
America,
State of New York, City and
County of New York, ss:
Louis de L’Espee, being by me duly sworn, doth depose and say as follows: That he is personally and intimately acquainted with Baron Raymond Seillière; that he is informed, and believes the fact to be, that the said Baron Seillière is being now detained in an asylum for the insane at Vanves, in the Republic of France; that during his acquaintance with said baron, and in social intercourse with him, on several occasions he has heard him, the said baron, state with emphasis that he “would never return permanently to France;” and he further stated that his purpose was fixed to make these United States his permanent home.
Notary Public, New York County.
State of New York,
City and County of New York, ss:
I, James A. Flack, clerk of the city and county of New York, and also clerk of the supreme court for the city and county, the same being a court of record, do hereby certify that Jacob Washburn, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same a notary public of New York, dwelling in said city and county, duly appointed and sworn, and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any court in said State and for general purposes; that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said notary, and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.
[seal.]
Clerk.
L.
United States of
America,
State of New York, City and
County of New York, ss:
Adolph von Hügel, being by me duly sworn, doth depose and say as follows: That lie is personally intimately acquainted with Baron Raymond Seillière; that ho is informed and believes the fact to be that the said Baron Seillière is being now detained in an asylum for the insane at Vanves, in the Republic of France; that during his acquaintance with said baron and in social intercourse with him on several occasions he has heard him, the said baron, state, with emphasis, that he “would never return permanently to France;” and he further stated that his purpose was fixed to make these United States his permanent home.
Notary Public, New York County.
State of New York,
City and County of New York, ss:
I, James A. Flack, clerk of the city and county of New York, and also clerk of the supreme court of the said city and county, the same being a court of record, do hereby certify that Jacob Washburn, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a notary public of New York, dwelling in said city and county, duly appointed and sworn, and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any court in said State and for general purposes; that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said notary, and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.
[seal.]
Clerk.
M.
United States of
America,
State of New York, City and
County of New York, ss:
Antoine Jakomet, being by me duly sworn, doth depose and say as follows: That he is personally intimately acquainted with Baron Raymon Seillière; that he is informed and believes the fact to be that the said Baron Seillière is being now detained in an asylum for the insane at Yanves, in the Republic of France; that during his acquaintance with said baron and in social intercourse with him on several occasions he has hoard him, the said baron, state, with emphasis, that he “would never return permanently to France;” and he further stated that his purpose was fixed to make these United States his permanent home.
Notary Public, New York County.
State of New York,
City and County of New York, ss:
I, James A. Flack, clerk of the city and county of New York, and also clerk of the supreme court for the said city and county; the same being a court of record, do hereby certify that Jacob Washburn, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a notary public of New York, dwelling in said city and county, duly appointed and sworn, and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any court in said State and for general purposes; that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said notary, and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.
Clerk
N.
United States of
America,
State of New York, ss:
By this public instrument be it known to all to whom the same doth or may in anywise concern, that I, Otto Laddey, a public notary in and for the State of New York, by letters patent under the great seal of the said State, duly commissioned and sworn, dwelling in the city of New York, do hereby certify that I have this day carefully compared the declaration to become a citizen of the United States of America, made and executed by Marie Nicolas Raymond Seillière, at the United States district court for the district of California, on the 6th day of August, 1886, with the copy thereof hereunto annexed, and that said copy is a true and literal copy of the said original.
| [seal.] | Otto Laddey, Notary Public, New York County. |
District Court of the United States for the District of California, District of California, ss:
I, Marie Nicolas Raymond Seillière, a native of France, do declare on oath that it is bona fide my intention to become a citizen of the United States of America, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty whatever, and particularly to the Republic of France, of which I am now a citizen.
Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District of California.
United States of
America,
District of California,
ss:
I, Southard Hoffman, clerk of the district court of the United States for the district of California, do hereby certify the foregoing to be a full, true, and correct copy of the original oath of intention remaining of record in my office.
[seal.]
Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District of California.