Mr. Hay to Mr.
Bridgman.
Department of State,
Washington
,
September 1,
1899
.
No. 96.]
Sir: I inclose for your perusal copy of a
letter addressed to the President by the Rev. John Lee, chairman of a
committee appointed by the Chicago Methodist Ministers’ Meeting to make
efforts to bring about larger religious liberty in the Republics of
Bolivia Ecuador, and Peru.
This Government, practicing as it does at home the largest principles of
freedom of thought and belief, is naturally desirous to see its citizens
enjoy in other countries a reasonable freedom from restrictions or
disabilities imposed by reason of religious faith. While recognizing
that the determination of the internal policy of a nation is an
attribute of its sovereignty, the United States have not hesitated to
express this desire, in considerate and friendly ways, as in the
instance of the marriage laws of Peru, to the end that the law-abiding
citizens of the United States sojourning in lands to which our country
is bound by ties of amity and similarity of representative institutions
may be relieved from discriminations affecting their individual life,
liberties, and domestic relations in a manner at variance with the
tendencies of this liberal age.
Instructions to be found upon your files show the deep interest this
Government has long taken in procuring for its citizens in Bolivia a
rational measure of freedom of worship and teaching, and due recognition
of their domestic relations so far as may be consistent with the lawful
practice of modern nations whose devotion to the cause of human
advancement and the inculcation of high morality can not be
questioned.
You are requested to examine and report upon the present condition of the
legislation of Bolivia in regard to the liberty of conscience and
teaching enjoyed by foreigners and as respects the status of aliens
contracting marriage according to other rites and codes than those of
the established church.
If in the course of your examination you shall deem the ascertained facts
to warrant you in so doing, you are authorized to make such discreet
representations in the proper quarters, by way of friendly but earnest
suggestion, as may conduce to the desired end. You will, however, [Page 113] be cautious in such case to
avoid wounding the sensibilities of a generous people or appearing to
advocate any unduly exceptional treatment of the natives of the
country.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Lee to the
President.
Chicago, Ill.
,
August 24, 1900
.
Honored Sir: The committee appointed by the
Chicago Methodist Ministers’ Meeting to direct a movement to secure
for Protestants in the Republics of Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia that
same liberty of conscience which is enjoyed by Roman Catholics in
the United States of America desires to invite your attention to the
following resolutions, offered by the Rev. Dr. P. H. Swift, which
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas we have heard with greatest pleasure the report of
Rev. John Lee, chairman of our committee on civil and
religious liberty, giving a detailed account of the
correspondence between the committee and the President and
State Department of the United States: Therefore
Resolved, That we hereby express our
grateful appreciation of the prompt and satisfactory action
of the President and Department of State, and trust and pray
that the expressed wish of our Government may meet with
prompt response, not only by the Government of Peru, but
also by all of the Republics of South America.
Resolved, That we commend our
committee on civil and religious liberty for its vigorous
and efficient service. We heartily indorse its action and
urge it to continue its good work in the interest of the
sacred rights of humanity.
The communication from the Department of State said:
The Department advised our legation at Lima of its hopes that
Peru would adopt a marriage law more consonant with the
general practice of modern nations, and expressed its
concern lest the civil rights of American citizens in that
quarter might be impaired through the deficiency of existing
law. It was further stated that this Government would be
glad to learn that the subject would be revived at the next
session of the Congress and satisfactorily disposed of.
Copy of your letter will be forwarded to our legation in
connection with the instructions referred to.
While the committee rejoices that Peru has already adopted “a
marriage law more consonant with the general practice of modern
nations,” it would be more than pleased if the kindly offices of the
United States Government would be exercised in securing in Bolivia,
and especially in Ecuador, what has already been secured in Peru.
The communications received by the committee from South America are
in perfect harmony with a letter written to the Chicago Record from
Guayaquil, Ecuador, July 12, by William E. Curtis, formerly United
States commissioner to the South American Republics, and published
in the issue of that paper for August 8, 1899. Mr. Curtis, after
observing that “it is expected at the next meeting of Congress a law
will be passed granting freedom of worship in Ecuador to all
religious denominations,” says:
The marriage law, however, has not been amended. No
Protestant clergyman is allowed to perform the ceremony,
and, under the existing statutes, no marriage is lawful
unless sanctioned by a Catholic priest. Children born after
Protestant marriages are considered illegitimate and can not
inherit property; but it is expected that this will be
changed at the next session of Congress, and the civil right
of marriage established.
[Page 114]
Kindly permit me to restate what appeared in my first communication.
The committee aims at the accomplishment of three things: (1) To
secure religious liberty for missionaries working in the Republics
of Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. (2) To secure religious liberty for
native Christians who dissent from the Roman Catholic faith. (3) To
secure in these South American Republics the fullest civil liberty
for American citizens and native-born Protestants, especially by the
legalization of marriages performed by others than clergy of the
Roman Catholic Church.
That the rich blessing of the Almighty God may ever rest on our
country and its Chief Executive is my fervent prayer.
Believe me, etc.,
John Lee,
Chairman of the
Committee.
