John A. Dix to William H. Seward, October 19, 1868

Mr. Dix to Mr. Seward

Sir: Your dispatch No. 205, in regard to Philip Brailly, was received last evening. He was released from imprisonment some time since. You will perceive, by the inclosed copy of a dispatch addressed by me to the Marquis de Moustier, on the 20th September last, that the case was promptly attended to as soon as it was brought to my notice. It turned out that Brailly, instead of going before one of the civil judges to show that he had been naturalized as a citizen of the United States, made his application to a council of war, under bad advice, and did not take with him the proofs of his naturalization.

On being advised officially of these facts by the Marquis de Moustier, I sent him a copy, certified under the seal of the legation, of Brailly’s certificate of naturalization, and he was promptly released. The imperial government only asked that he should satisfy the established form of proceeding by going before a civil tribunal with his certificate and passport, and show that he had been naturalized as a citizen of the United States.

He was at the legation about a week ago to procure his certificate, and as I have heard nothing from him since, I have no doubt that the matter has been satisfactorily arranged. He spoke of the great kindness with which he had been treated by the imperial authorities, and regarded his confinement as a detention rather than ah imprisonment.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,