ALLEMANN, President to Charles Beck, Secretary, February 2, 1866

The president and the secretary of the Swiss Society of Emigration to Mr. Harrington.

Sir: A Swiss society of emigration has been founded, a few months ago, with the purpose of creating a link between the persons who take an interest in the questions relating to emigration and colonization, and in order to enhance, by working together, the influence they may exert in the way of protecting and instructing the emigrant.

The society has no other aim than to promote the interest of the Swiss emigrants: and, with a view to this object, the undersigned committee desires to enter into a direct connection with the government of the United States, or with the office appointed by the same for immigration matters, in order to receive from this authentic source every possible information concerning the advantages which the government is disposed to confer upon immigrants, either by grants of land or in any other shape.

The experience of many years shows that the emigration agents are constantly applied to by parties whose means prove, upon examination, to be insufficient to pay their voyage, and who are, therefore, obliged to give up their project, which is to be regretted not only on their own account, but also on that of the country to which they wished to go, and where immigration is desired. It seems, accordingly, desirable to find a way of removing this impediment.

We are aware that the notion of rendering emigration possible to moneyless persons inspires the American authorities with terror at the thought of being overflowed by a crowd of disabled and degenerate paupers who are a burden to their native land, of which the latter seeks to deliver itself by shifting it upon other shoulders. Therefore, we deem it necessary to declare at once that we have no such intention. We desire to bestow upon the New World only such elements as will be a real gain to the same, being fully able not only to earn their livelihood, but even to elevate themselves gradually into comparative wealth by their labor and industry. But these very people are frequently withheld, by want of the necessary passage money, from seeking beyond the seas the field of activity which is denied them by their own country, and this is the class of emigrants whom we desire to be able to assist. There are others, also, who can with difficulty bring together the cost of their voyage, but who find themselves in a sad and helpless position when they arrive at New York.

In consequence, we take the liberty of putting the question whether, and under what conditions, the government of the United States would consent to repay such persons or families as would be especially recommended for that purpose by the Swiss Society of Emigration a part of their passage money on their landing, or to assist in some other way those who are entirely destitute, either by a grant of land or by supplying them with some requisites for their settlement.

We feel assured that a measure of this kind, being submitted to our careful control, would produce most satisfactory results.

And hoping to be favored with an answer complying with our request, we have the honor to be, with deep respect and particular esteem, your excellency’s most obedient, humble servants,

THE COMMITTEE OF THE SWISS SOCIETY OF EMIGRATION: