Mr. Gresham to Mr. Baker.

No. 117.]

Sir: I have received your Nos. 161 of 5th, 164 of 6th, 169 of 9th, 178 of 22d, and 184 and 185 of 31st ultimo, relative to the collection by Nicaragua of a forced loan from Mrs. Josefa Jacoby, the widow of an American citizen, a resident of Granada.

It is your duty, as indicated in Department’s instruction No. 15 of June 16 last, to enter an emphatic protest against the collection from citizens of the United States resident in Nicaragua of any forced contribution of the character indicated.

Mrs. Jacoby, by her marriage to a citizen of the United States, undoubtedly acquired the nationality of her husband by virtue of section 1994, Revised Statutes. After his death the widow, if dwelling in the United States, might retain American citizenship. But, being a native of Nicaragua and continuing to reside in the country of her origin, there is room for contention that she has resumed her original nationality. She has not since her husband’s death, so far as is known to the Department, manifested any intention of coming to the United States: and it is not believed that there is any duty on the part of this Government to intervene to secure her immunity from obligations imposed upon her by the country of her birth and continued domicile.

I am, etc.,

W. Q. Gresham.