Fred’k T. Frelinghuysen to Charles R. Lowell, October 20, 1884

No. 147. Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Lowell.

Sir: I inclose herewith for your information, a copy of a dispatch to this Department from Mr. J. A. Leonard, the American consul-general at Calcutta, reporting the arrival at three Mormon emissaries.

Inasmuch as the Mormons, exercising polygamy, constantly increase in numbers by reason of accessions from abroad recruited by emissaries from Utah operating beyond the reach of the laws of this country, this Government is obliged to avail itself of the good offices of the authorities of foreign countries to oppose and suppress, so far as practicable, the missions of the Mormons.

I will therefore thank you to bring the matter to the attention of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government, with the request that appropriate instructions may be issued to the proper authorities, with a view to checking the proposed shipment of Mormon recruits to this country from India.

I am, &c.,