Joseph A. Wright to Count Bismarck, Pres’t of the Council, February 21, 1866

Mr. Wright to Count Bismarck.

Monsieur le Comte: The undersigned has the honor to call the attention of your excellency to the case of Simon Israel, formerly a Prussian subject, but now an American citizen. The said Israel emigrated to America in 1853 and remained there over ten years; returned to Prussia in 1863, to the place of his birth, (Chadizsen, province of Posen,) where he was seized by the authorities, taken to Stettin, and placed in the fourth company, fourteenth regiment of the Prussian army. The said Israel is now unable to perform the duties of a soldier, as he has the hernia, and his eyesight has become impaired, both occasioned since he has been in the Prussian army.

The undersigned would most respectfully beg the intervention of your excellency’s kind offices in order to obtain the release of the said Israel. He has already served about two years in the Prussian army, has relatives in America, and his business is suffering from his long absence.

The undersigned doubts not but that as soon as the attention of his Majesty’s government is called to the case of Mr. Israel, he will be at once released.

I take this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances of my high consideration.