Charles C. Marsh to William M. Evarts, March 31, 1879

No. 274. Mr. Marsh to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of my recent note to the ministry of foreign affairs on the; case of Largomarsino, and a copy and translation of the minister’s reply. If Mr. Guiseppe Onesti had had the frankness to state in his letter to the Department of State the fact, which was doubtless known to him, that Largomarsino had still but a few months to serve, he would have saved all parties unnecessary annoyance, as in such case I should not, without positive instructions to that effect, have again addressed the Italian Government on the subject.

I have, &c.,

Mr. Marsh to Mr. Depretis.

Your Excellency: My attention has been again called by the Secretary of State of the United States to the case of Largomarsino, now serving as a conscript in the Italian army, which was laid before the Italian Government by my note of 1877, and I am instructed to make a further effort for his release. I have no new facts and no new legal considerations to urge, but I venture to express the hope that the peculiar hardship of the case, in the ruin of business into which Largomarsino had entered, and of interests acquired in the full belief of legal right, the length of time he has already served, and the circumstances referred to in the accompanying communication from a relative of his in America, may have some weight with the Italian Government in inducing it to take a favorable reconsideration of the facts, and to grant to Largomarsino the indulgence he desires.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of my distinguished consideration.