Hamilton Fish to Edwards Pierrepont , Attorney-General, July 13, 1875

No. 247. Mr. Fish to Mr. Davis.

Sir: Referring to your dispatches in reference to the case of Arthur Steinkauler, and to instruction No. 95 from the Department, I now inclose you a copy of a communication addressed to the Attorney General, under date of June 9, requesting his opinion upon certain specific points, and of the opinion of that officer, bearing date the 26th of June, for your information.

The opinion goes somewhat further than the precise questions submitted, and refers to the matter of the duty of this Government to intervene, which would only arise after the questions submitted had been passed upon.

You are instructed to take no steps to intervene with the authorities of Germany to protect young Stein kauler from military duty, so long as the facts of his case remain unchanged and he shall be a minor residing with his father, a German subject, and in the absence of any assurance on his behalf of an intention to return to the United States, or to make an election of nationality.

I am, &c.,