Mr. Seward to Mr. Moran
Sir: The correspondence recorded in your legation is full of remonstrances and expostulations, which, by the President’s direction, I have addressed to her Majesty’s government against the imprisonment of Messrs. Warren and Costello.
The reasons have been fully and frequently assigned why the judicial severity maintained by the British government in these cases has tended to embarrass the friendly relations between the two countries, and to protract the political excitement which has so greatly disturbed the peace of the British realm and of the British provinces adjacent to the United States. On many occasions I have had the honor to urge upon [Page 319] the British government the necessity of a modification of the laws of the British realm in the case of subjects of Great Britain who have become citizens of the United States under our naturalization laws.
By the President’s direction, also, I have with much urgency invited the British government to enter into an equal treaty with the United States on that subject, as a proceeding which is essential for the removal of discontents which, if suffered to continue, might involve the two nations in reprisal or war. Hitherto these proceedings have been unfruitful, although we have many friendly assurances of a favorable disposition on the part of the British government.
In connection with this matter, the President now makes it my duty to give you a copy of a resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States, which was passed on the 15th of June, “requesting the President to take such measures as shall appear proper to secure the release from imprisonment of Messrs. Warren and Costello, convicted and sentenced in Great Britain for words and acts spoken and done in this country, by ignoring our naturalization laws, and to take such other measures as will secure their return to our flag with such ceremonies as are appropriate to the occasion.”
I further call your attention to the fact that a bill which has passed the House of Representatives is now engaging the attention of the Senate, the effect of which bill, if it shall become a law, will be to require the President to make reprisals in cases of judicial denial in Great Britain to naturalized Americans of the rights which are conceded thereto native American citizens.
You will be expected to read the resolution referred to, together with this instruction to her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, and to give him a copy of these papers if he shall request it.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Benjamin Moran, Esq., &c., &c., &c.