Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dix
No. 205.]
Department of State, Washington,
October 5, 1868.
Sir: I enclose a transcript of a letter from
the Honorable John A. Bingham, a member of the House of Representatives,
together with a copy of its accompaniment, from E. G. Morgan, esq., of
Ohio, requesting the intervention of this department in behalf of Philip
Brailly, a naturalized citizen of the United States, now imprisoned in
Paris for failure to perform military duty in 1848.
You are instructed to use your good offices, unofficially, with a view to
secure the liberation of Mr. Brailly.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John A. Dix,
Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Page 452]
Mr. Bingham to Mr. Seward
Cadiz, Ohio,
September 29, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
the letter of E. G. Morgan, requesting the intervention of the
United States for the release of Philip Brailly, a citizen of the
United States, wrongfully imprisoned in France.
I have no doubt the statement of Mr. Morgan is correct, and therefore
respectfully ask your attention to his suggestions and request. Very
truly yours,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Morgan to Mr. Bingham
Bell Air, Ohio,
September 18, 1868.
Sir: I write you in behalf of Philip
Brailly, now in prison in Paris, France, a resident of our village,
and a citizen of the United States; a man of property, of integrity,
and highly respected by our community, who deeply sympathize with
his family. The history of his case is this: In 1848, during the
time of the republic of France, he left under a passport for the
United States, to seek a home for himself and parents, being at that
time about 18 years of age, as we learn from his passport in
possession of his wife. Before he had secured a suitable location
his father died. His mother, declining to leave the land of her
birth and the grave of her husband, has manifested a parental desire
to have her only child return to France and reside with her, near
Paris. She is now growing old, and he, feeling anxious to see his
mother once more, was induced by her pursuasions to visit France
this summer, but with no intention of removing there; his mother
having stated to him that she had consulted the authorities at
Paris, and that the only penalty he would have to undergo would be a
fine of $300, which she would willingly pay.
On his arrival in Paris, he wrote his wife that on the following day
he would report himself to the proper officer, since which time he
has notwritten her; but she received a letter from a relative of his
in Paris, inclosing a draft for a considerable sum of money from his
mother, stating that he has been imprisoned for six months as a
deserter from military duty.
On receipt of this, please write me if anything can be done towards
having him released.
Hoping to enlist your active sympathy in his behalf, I am,
respectfully, yours, &c.,
