Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Mr. Burnley had the honor of addressing you on the 16th of September on the subject of the nefarious practices resorted to by unscrupulous persons in seducing youths from their homes, and inducing them to enlist in the United States army; and you had the goodness to state, in your answer of the 19th of the same month, that the United States government would use all diligence in preventing such practices, and when discovered in severely punishing such transactions, and that it believes they are practically arrested.
[Page 778]I am nevertheless induced to make a few further remarks on this subject, under the instructions which I have received from her Majesty’s government.
The governor general of Canada is using his best endeavors to aid and assist as far as possible towards the attainment of the object desired. The attention of the local police authorities of Canada have been especially directed to the necessity of increased vigilance with regard to the practices alluded to, and in some cases, when it was judged advisable, special detective officers have been stationed at suitable places to assist the ordinary police force.
Her Majesty’s government, however, consider that no efforts will be effectual for the suppression of these practices as long as the government of the United States continues to pay agents for the procurement of recruits for their armies. If no pecuniary advantages could accrue to any person from bringing a recruit to enlist, there would be no inducements offered by the government of the United States to persons to commit the crime of kidnapping, and if this source of the evil, which is constant in its operation, were removed, the occasional increase of crimes of this nature from the payments on the part of private individuals for substitutes at the time of a compulsory draft might be effectually met by additional vigilance at those periods on the part of the police.
Her Majesty’s government therefore suggest, with a view to the better assistance of Viscount Monck in his endeavors to punish the guilty parties, whether the United States government would not take into consideration the advisability of abrogating the regulations under which payments are made, whether under the denomination of “bringing money” or “bounty money.”
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.