The Minister for Foreign Affairs, THILE to John C. Wright, June 1, 1866

Baron Thile to Mr. Wright.

Monsieur le Ministre: You were pleased to forward me the request of a certain Otto Erk, of New York, who left Prussia when seventeen years old, without having performed his military service, and who desires permission to visit his parents in Berlin without risking interference by the authorities. This request was reported to the ministers of war and the interior, who reply that they cannot consent to the wish of Mr. Erk.

According to the terms of section 23, No. 2, of the law of the 31st of December, 1842, no doubt exists that the said Erk is still a Prussian subject. A passport was issued to him on the 17th of June, 1856, for two years, to go to New York, and therefore he has been in a foreign country but eight years, viz., being but ten years since his passport for two years was issued. In the present state of affairs the said ministers declare that, considering the precise instructions of December 9, 1858, for recruiting the army, they cannot permit Mr. Erk to return temporarily to Berlin.

Receive, Mr. Wright, with my regrets, the assurances of my high consideration.

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