Joseph A. Wright, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Striebg to Mr. Seward.
Washington City, D.
C., February 1,
1866.
Respected Sir: With profound respect I
address these few lines to you, hoping, honorable sir, the contents
of which you will not disregard, as they are of vital importance to
me. I emigrated from the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, at the age of
14 years, and in April, 1861. Before reaching my 19th year, I
entered the service of the United States army as a volunteer. I have
served faithfully till July 27, 1865; I have now three honorable
discharges from said service in my possession; I thereby claim, by
an act of Congress, to be a citizen of the United States; I also
claim a right to be protected as such. As you are well instructed as
to the laws of European governments, or more particularly of the
Pereiz of Germany, as to the service they require of each male when
reaching the age of 21 years, as as a soldier, enough will be to
state that I was drafted as a soldier by the Bavarian government
when I had reached my 21st year. My father (who still resides at the
place of my birth) was notified of the fact and held responsible for
my appearance whenever I should be called for. On my non-appearance,
his (my father’s) place of business was closed, and all property
owned by him taken possession of by the Bavarian government, besides
put to a great deal of other trouble. Through the kind assistance of
Mr. Duncan, United States consul at Carlsruhe, and through documents
being shown by him and by my father that I was serving in the United
States army as a soldier, he was allowed to open his place of
business and take possession of his property again.
Now, honorable sir, in the spring of 1864 my mother died, and leaving
us (3) children considerable property. At the death of my mother the
Bavarian government again made its appearance through its officials,
and instantly laid claim on all property coming to me, and still
holds me as a citizen, and Mr. Duncan, United States consul, has
made every effort but
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could
not get my release from them, and there it so does stop. I have sent
by request of Mr. Duncan document after document, one of which you
had the kindness to sign; it was handed to you by Colonel James B.
Swain, then my colonel; stated that I was serving in the United
States army, and that I was a citizen of the United States, but all
to no avail.
Mr. Duncan states he cannot do anything for me till he receives
instructions from your department. Now, honorable sir, I do not know
where I belong; the Bavarian government holds me as a citizen, holds
my property, and probably would arrest me as a deserter should I
ever set my foot in the place of my birth again, while I have served
in the United States army long before they had any claim on me.
Honorable sir, can anything be done in my case ? If so, I hope you
will give it your earliest attention, for this case has been going
on since 1863, and has cost me and my father time, trouble, and
money; always having known you to protect a citizen of the United
States and his property wherever he be, I know you will not refuse
me your kindness in this case, as the citizenship I hold was earned
through four years’ hard service, and by giving me your kind aid,
honorable sir, you will put me under everlasting obligations to
you.
Hoping, honorable sir, you will excuse me for the liberty I have
taken in addressing you, I remain, with profound respect, your
obedient servant,
Mr. Erk to Mr. Seward.
707 Broadway, New York
City,
February 12, 1866.
Respected Sir: Having left Prussia in the
year 1856, (then being under the age of seventeen,) and having had
permission from the Prussian government to remain away two years,
but could not arrange to return in that time, and having become a
naturalized citizen of the United States, I respectfully ask that
you would use your influence with the Prussian government to obtain
from them the right, unmolested, in my visiting my father and other
relations in Prussia, and that I may get consent of emigration from
the Prussian government that I may pass as an American citizen and
not be forced in the Prussian army. By sending the necessary papers
to me I can forward them to my father, in Berlin, who will use his
influence and endeavors to have them properly noticed.
Being anxious to proceed to Berlin at as early a moment as possible,
I would most respectfully ask that you would kindly notice the
above.
With respect, I remain your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
