William H. Seward to Joseph A. Wright, July 18, 1865

Mr. Seward to Mr. Wright

Sir: Information has been received at this department, from the United States consul at Bremen, of the shipment from that port to the United States of two sentenced criminals from Prussia. I enclose a transcript of the consul’s despatch upon the subject, from which it appears that the convicts referred to were sent to Bremerhafen by the local authorities at Wandersieben, in Prussia, under the escort of a Prussian officer, in order to be shipped to this country at the cost of the said local authorities. It further appears that one of the criminals has already sailed, and that the other, having committed a fresh offence at Bremerhafen, has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, at the expiration of which he will also probably be sent to the United States, his passage thither having already been paid.

You are requested to make a representation of the above facts to the Prussian government, and to express the expectation that prompt measures will be taken to prevent a repetition of such unfriendly proceedings on the part of any of the local authorities of that government. You will also state that the criminals referred to will, in case of their detection on arrival here, be promptly returned to the port whence they departed.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,