Mr. Risley to Mr.
Sherman.
Legation of the United States,
Copenhagen, June 4, 1897.
(Received June 18.)
No. 161.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that I have
received a petition from C.N. Lund, who describes himself as president
of the Scandinavian Mission of the Mormon Church, accompanied by an
affidavit of J. J. Jensen and Joseph Larsen, missionaries, in which are
set forth several grievances, and asking my intervention and protection
on the ground that they are American citizens.
I have no reasons to doubt the truth of the statements contained in these
papers, but, in view of the general instruction No. 181 and of the facts
complained of being rather of a general policy than of any particular
case of pressing urgency, I am not inclined to investigate or take any
action until the matter shall have been submitted for your consideration
and instruction.
As original documents are more forceful than any copy, I inclose said
originals, with a respectful request that after consideration they be
returned to this legation.
I am under the impression that by the vigorous action of the United
States Government polygamy has been effectually suppressed; and the
provisions of the constitution of Utah and conditions of her admission
into the Union as a State, as well as the laws of the United States and,
I hope, more enlightened views among the Mormons themselves, render it
highly improbable that that system can ever be revived in Utah or
elsewhere in the United States, or that even an attempt at such revival
is likely to ever be made. Under these circumstances you may think it
advisable to reconsider and perhaps modify instruction No. 181.
I beg to submit the whole matter for consideration and instruction.
I have made no answer to the petition. Indeed, I can not answer, as no
address is given; but it is probable that the petitioner intends to call
at this legation. If he shall do so before your instructions are
received I will inform him of the reference to the department.
I have, etc.,
[Page 122]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
161.]
Mr. Lund to Mr.
Risley.
Copenhagen, Denmark, May 13,
1897.
Sir: As citizens of the United States of
America temporarily residing in this country, feeling ourselves
aggrieved on account of the treatment received from the officers of
the Danish Government, we most respectfully petition your excellency
to use your influence in our behalf, that we may be accorded the
same protection and privileges under the laws of this country as are
given to other foreigners.
Representing as we do the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, we desire to state that for the past few years our
missionaries have from time to time been subject to arrests and
banishment, and that through a procedure which we do not think is
warranted under the constitution of this country—that is, they have
been summoned to appear before the officers of the law simply to
hear the decree of banishment read to them, with a demand for them
to leave the country at once, and as a rule they have been escorted
out by the police officials, having had no specific charges
preferred against them or been given any chance of a defense.
If we break any law, we shall not complain if we have to suffer the
consequences, but as American citizens who are quietly and peaceably
pursuing our labors as missionaries, preaching nothing but the
doctrines of Christ and offending no one, we protest against the
treatment herein referred to, and we object to being dealt with like
criminals and felons without knowing wherein we have offended.
We have at present from forty to fifty missionaries laboring in this
country, not in a corner, but openly and publicly all over the land,
and we are glad to say that in the great majority of cases we have
been able to pursue our labors unhindered. Only now and then from
some obscure corner of the land we hear of arrests and banishment.
We can scarcely believe that it is the intention of the Government
in this, our native land, where religious toleration is so well
established, to thus deal with us, but are inclined to the belief,
as we are also informed, that the complaints against us come from
ministers of the gospel in the Church of the State, who may have
unkind feelings toward us on account of our different views in
regard to religion or the interpretation of the Word of God.
We have submitted, by affidavit hereunto attached, the facts as they
have come to us in the recent case, and earnestly hope that you will
give it your kind attention and afford us such aid as it shall be
within your power to do.
We ask for no favors that can not legitimately be accorded to others
under similar conditions, but we do desire, and shall insist, that
we be permitted to stand on common ground with other foreigners who
are sojourning here for similar purposes, and that we shall not,
because we happen to represent an unpopular church, be singled out
and discriminated against.
We fully believe that your excellency, as an honored representative
of a great and free Government, will do all in your power to secure
its citizens here in the enjoyment of all the privileges that they
can lawfully claim, and your humble petitioners and fellow-citizens
will be ever grateful.
C. N. Lund,
President for the Skandinavask
Mission.
[Page 123]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
161.]
On this 15th day of March, A. D. 1897, before me, Peter M. Flensburg,
personally appeared Jens Jorgen Jensen and Joseph Larsen, who, after
being duly sworn, severally depose and say:
That they are citizens of the United States of America, members and
missionaries of the church known as “The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints,” and have as such been laboring in Bornholn,
Denmark, for more than six months past.
That they have not during said period of time solicited pecuniary aid
from anyone, but have preached the Word free of charge and made
gratuitous distributions of their church literature; that the public
gatherings held by them have been conducted in a peaceful and
orderly manner; that in conformity with their church rules the
doctrine of polygamy has in no instance been advocated by them, and
that they have not, so far as their knowledge extends, at any time
or in any manner violated the laws of the land.
That notwithstanding these facts they were, on the 16th day of
February, A. D. 1897, summoned and appeared before the mayor of the
city of Bonne, who questioned them regarding their birth,
occupations at home and here, citizenship, future intentions, etc.,
and thereupon dismissed them.
That again, March 1, 1897, they were summoned before the same
official, who read to them a decree of banishment issued by the
minister of justice, and when asked the cause he stated, “You are
Mormon missionaries working for the Mormon Church.”
That thereupon they were ordered to take steamer next day for
Copenhagen, where upon their arrival they were met by police
officials and escorted to the court-house, when after a few hours’
detention they were released and commanded to leave the country.
That this command was complied with by Jens Jorgen Jensen on March 4,
A. D. 1897, and by Joseph Larsen March 10, A. D. 1897.
That throughout all these proceedings no specific charge or complaint
against them has come to their knowledge, and they have been given
no opportunity for defense.
- J. J. Jensen,
- Joseph Larsen.
Subscribed and sworn to before me at Malmo this 15th day of
March, A. D. 1897.
Pet. M. Flensburg,
United States Consular Agent at Malmo,
Sweden.
