Waddington to Noyes, April 9, 1879

Mr. Waddington to Mr. Noyes.

General: You were so good as to communicate with me on the 2d of this month with reference to the claim of Mr. Jacob, of French origin, a naturalized citizen of the United States, and who is desirous that his son’s name should be erased from the recruitment lists in France. The personal status of this young man, who was born at Philadelphia in 1858, before his father had obtained American naturalization, has not, according to French jurisprudence, been modified by the change of his father’s nationality. The minister of war finds it, therefore, impossible to withdraw him from the military obligations incumbent upon all individuals who have not lost their French capacity by one of the modes provided for by the civil code.

Moreover, questions of nationality are the exclusive attributes of the courts, and it is for Mr. Alfred Pierre Jacob, if he thinks fit, to lay before the competent jurisdiction the reasons that he may have for no longer considering himself a Frenchman.

I have the honor to return the documents hereto annexed, which you were so good as to communicate to me.

Receive, &c.,