[Translation ]
Mr. Van Limburg to Mr. Seward.
New York,
October 29, 1862.
Sir: I take the liberty of communicating to you
herewith a letter from the consul of the Netherlands at Philadelphia,
who demonstrates therein how aggravating to him is the uncertainty in
which the American government leaves him, by not expressing its opinion
in advance in regard to the obligation, or mere obligation, which it
wishes or will wish to impose on foreign consuls (citizens of the United
States) of sharing in the approaching enrolment for the military service
of the United States.
The consul, in particular, says that, in five days
after being “drafted,” he would have to go to the camp, which would give
him but little chance to obtain a decision from the government of the
United States, of making his necessary arrangements, and of providing
himself, casu quo, with a substitute.
Abstaining from any reflection in this respect, I have the honor, sir, to
reiterate to you the assurances of my consideration.
Hon. Mr. Seward,
Secretary of State of the United States of
America.
Mr. Zeigler to Mr. Van Limburg.
Consulate of the
Netherlands,
Philadelphia,
October 27, 1862.
Sir: On the 27th ultimo I addressed the
consul general, Mr. Burlage, on the subject of my enrolment for
military draft by the United States authorities, and copy of which
letter I beg to enclose.
Mr. Burlage, on the 3d instant, forwarded me copy of a communication
addressed to your excellency by Mr. Seward, Secretary of State at
Washington, in which the honorable Secretary, as you are aware,
stated he preferred postponing any consideration of the question of
the liability of being drafted which it may be proper for the United
States government to entertain, &c. I now beg to call your
excellency’s attention to the fact that the authorities here will
draft tomorrow. All arrangements for that purpose have been made,
and as only five days are allowed for one to report himself for camp
in case he is drafted, it is to be regretted the honorable Secretary
of State does not decide the question at once, so that I may know
what my position is or will be.
I hold an exequatur from the President of the United States, granting
me privileges granted to consuls of the most favored nations on
earth. Nothing therein is said whether citizen or no citizen. I
therefore do not see that the decision of the draft commissioner
accords to the tenor of that document, although I am a citizen of
the United States.
It seems to me, my dear sir, that the question ought to be settled at
once; then I would know what to do. In case of an unfavorable
decision a substitute could be obtained, if in
time, but if not in time, a
difficulty possibly to obtain one. As for obtaining a substitute in
advance of a decision, does not seem proper, as it is not my person
I must take into consideration, but the office I hold and position I
represent. It would not be amiss, perhaps, to say to me, I was
informed by the Prussian consul here he had intimation from his
minister
[Page 652]
the foreign
consuls who were citizens of the United States would, out of
national courtesy, be exempt, and he, the minister, (Baron Von
Gerolt,) was requested to hand into the State Department a list of
those consuls under his jurisdiction who had become citizens of the
United States.
I remain, dear sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
His Excellency Mr. Roest Van Limburg,
Envoy Extraordinary, Minister Plenipotentiary
of his Majesty the King of the Netherlands.
P. S.—I just learned the governor of the State has postponed the
draft for one week longer.
