Office of the Historian

The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

American Embassy,
London, June 22, 1910.
No. 1322.]

Sir: With reference to my dispatch 1216 of the 18th of March last, transmitting a copy of my note to the foreign office dated the 16th of that month respecting the case of Alfred Lumb, a British subject, who was convicted of uttering counterfeit coin and was released upon condition of leaving the United Kingdom and proceeding to the United States, I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of the foreign office reply dated June 17, in which it is stated that the commissioner of assize who heard the case acted in the matter in ignorance of the United States law bearing upon this subject.

The secretary of state for the home department has addressed a circular to all the judges of the high court, recorders of boroughs, and chairmen of quarter sessions calling their attention to the provisions of United States law bearing upon the immigration of convicted offenders.

I have, etc.,

Whitelaw Reid.
[Inclosure.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Reid.

Foreign Office,
London, June 17, 1910.

Your Excellency: I did not fail to refer to the proper department of His Majesty’s Government the note which your excellency addressed to me on the 16th of March last, respecting the case of Alfred Lumb, a British subject, who was recently convicted of uttering counterfeit coin and was released on condition of leaving the United Kingdom [Page 597] and proceeding to the United States, and I now have the honor to inform your excellency that the commissioner of assize who heard the case acted in the matter in ignorance of the United States statutes bearing upon the immigration of convicted offenders.

With the object of avoiding any possible recurrence of such a case the secretary of state for the home department has addressed to all judges of the high court, recorders of boroughs, and chairmen of quarter sessions, a circular calling their attention to the provisions of United States law on this subject.

I have, etc.

(For
Sir E. Grey
):
W. Langley.