Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume I

763.72111/1795½

The Counselor for the Department of State (Lansing) to the Secretary of State

[Washington,] March 15, 1915.

Dear Mr. Secretary: I enclose a memorandum handed to me on Saturday, the 13th, by the British Ambassador.⁵³

While the circular⁵⁴ transmitted with the memorandum does not in itself constitute a violation of our Neutrality Laws, it may be a preliminary step to the unlawful acts of secret societies in this country which took place during the “Papineau Rebellion” in 1837 and the Fenian invasions of 1866 and 1870, and which called forth proclamations from President Van Buren in 1837 and 1838, from President Tyler in 1841, from President Johnson in 1866, and from President Grant in 1870.

Would it not be well for this information to be turned over to the Department of Justice with the request that the matter be investigated, so that, in case any hostile expedition against Canada is being secretly organized, a proclamation of warning may be issued by the President?

Faithfully yours,

Robert Lansing

53. Not printed.
54. A copy of a circular calling on Germans, Irish, and others to attack Canada from the United States (file No. 763.72111/1794).