Mr. Seward to Mr.
Wright.
No. 41.]
Department of State,
Washington,
July 25, 1866.
Sir: Herewith I transmit a copy of a letter of
the 17th instant, addressed to this department by Mr. Montgomery Blair,
together with a copy of its accompaniment, a letter addressed to him by
Mr. John B. Olfers, a resident of Maryland, whose son, John Henry
Olfers, a native-born citizen of the United States, as appears from the
certificate of baptism enclosed with Mr. Olfer’s communication, is now
compulsorily performing service in the Hanoverian army.
As the facts set forth in the letter of Mr. Olfers, senior, would seem to
be undeniable, you are instructed to make a representation of them in
the proper quarter, and to request the immediate discharge of his son
from the Hanoverian service, unless the government of the kingdom of
Hanover should be able to give satisfactory reasons for his
detention.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Joseph A. Wright, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Page 37]
Mr. Blair to Mr. Seward.
Washington, D.
C., July 17,
1866.
Dear Sir: I beg to call your attention to
the enclosed letter from John B. Olfers, a citizen of Maryland, and
to ask the aid of your department in procuring the discharge of his
son from the Hanoverian army. You will see by the papers enclosed
that his son, John Henry Olfers, is a native-born citizen of the
United States.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington.
Mr. Olfers to Mr. Blair.
Baltimore,
July 16, 1866.
Dear Sir: I take the liberty and have the
honor to bring to your attention the undermentioned facts:
I went with my wife and two children, in the year 1851, for the
benefit of my health, to Germany, being a citizen of the United
States, and my wife a native of Charleston, S. C., both those
children, whereof one was a son, being born in that city, which is
proved by my pass, at present in your hands, and enclosed
certificate of baptism, approved by the Hanoverian consul at
Charleston.
This son was drafted and taken into the army of the Hanoverian
kingdom in April, 1865, notwithstanding my statement that he was
born in the United States and son of a citizen of the said United
States—keeping a certificate of birth and baptism in their
possession, and refusing to give it up.
He was taken in the 7th company, garde regiment, kingdom of Hanover;
the company was commanded by Captain Dreiherr Von Brandis, a son of
the minister of war, which captain, after I had stated my case to
him, told me I could go home, he being very sure that my son very
soon would be restored to me.
I left Germany, being fully recovered of my sickness, in March, 1866,
without being able to take my son back to his native land, being
forced into the army of a foreign king, where he has no business
with nor any obligation whatever, he being, on the contrary, very
much wanted by me in my business, and my wife suffering and
declining daily on account of his absence and safety.
In consequence of which I have the honor to beg you to take such
measures as you deem proper, that he might be restored to us, for
which the Almighty God will certainly bless you, and you will reap
the heartful thanks of a sick, distressed mother, his young
brothers, sisters, and your very humble servant,
Hon. Montgomery Blair,
Washington, D. C.
