No. 302.
Mr. Hoppin
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
London, January 23, 1880.
(Received February 7.)
No. 139.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 89 of the 29th of
October last, I have the honor to inclose the copy of a note I received
yesterday from Lord Salisbury and of a document accompanying the same in
relation to the interference of Her Majesty’s government with Mormon
emigration from Great Britain to the United States.
It will be seen from this communication that the home secretary has been
advised by the law officers of the Grown that the government here is under
no obligation, and, indeed, has no power to prevent such emigration, and
that it can do no more than to give notice to the public of the illegal
character of Mormon marriages according to the law of the United States.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 139.]
The Marquis of Salisbury
to Mr. Hoppin.
Foreign
Office, January 19,
1880.
Sir: With reference to your letter of the 16th
of October last, and to previous correspondence upon the same subject, I
have the honor to acquaint you that a communication has been received
from Her Majesty’s secretary of state for the home department stating
that he is advised by the law officers of the Crown, to whom the
question has been referred, that Her Majesty’s government is under no
obligation, and, indeed, has no power, to prevent the emigration of
British subjects desirous of joining the Mormon community in the United
States, and that they can do no more than to give notice to the public
of the illegal character of Mormon marriages according to the law of the
United States.
Copies of the notices issued in London and Liverpool are inclosed
herewith for your information.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 139.]
Notice to emigrants and emigration
agents.
Metropolitan Police Office,
Great Scotland Yard, 14th
day of Oct., 1879.
Whereas there is reason to believe that a system of solicitation
extensively prevails to induce persons to emigrate from Great Britain to
the United States for the purpose of joining the Mormon community at
Salt Lake, in the Territory of Utah, this notice is to warn all persons
that the law of the United States prohibits the practice of polygamy
existing in the Mormon community, and renders any person who engages
therein liable to heavy fine and a long period of imprisonment.
E. Y. HENDERSON,
The Commissioner of
Police of the Metropolis, acting under the immediate authority
of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for the Home
Department.
