Joseph A. Wright to Count Bismarck, September 3, 1866

Mr. Wright to Count Bismarck.

Sir: The undersigned has the honor to call the attention of Count Bismarck, minister president, &c., to the alleged forcible arrest, on or about the 18th of July last, by order of the captain of the Prussian man-of-war Nymph, of Charles Berger and Charles Müller, on board the American steamer Baltic, lying in the port of Bremerhaven.

I have been advised that at the time of their seizure they were seamen on board the said Baltic, and were a part of the crew shipped from the port of New York. They were on their return voyage, as per contract, and were embraced in the steamer’s shipping list.

Their nationality as Americans was prima facie. If Berger and Müller were guilty of crimes it would have been more in consonance with the law of nations and in accordance with the spirit of the age for this arrest to have been made by the proper officers under the legal authorities, than to have been taken by force from a vessel lying in any of the public harbors. Such a procedure is not the best calculated to preserve law and order.

The undersigned presents the case for examination, not knowing the special charges alleged against the said persons, nor doubting but that his Majesty’s government will, upon investigation, be able to make such a reply as will afford additional evidence of the long-established friendship existing between the two countries.

The undersigned takes this occasion &c., &c.