William Seligman to Horace Maynard, January 2, 1877

Mr. Seligman to Mr. Maynard.

Sir: I beg to send you a memorial, a copy of which, duly signed, has been sent to our government at Washington. This memorial has passed unanimously a body of delegates assembled in convention in this city, representing nearly every nation of Europe and also the United States.

Notwithstanding that the treaty of Paris guaranteed to all creeds and sects full religious, civil, and political liberty, the Governments of Roumania and Servia have oppressed and tyrannized their Jewish inhabitants, and passed laws making the condition of these poor Jews almost intolerable. You are, no doubt, aware of the terrible persecutions perpetrated upon this people in Roumania.

To prevent a repetition of these inhuman and barbarous practices in any of the provinces of Turkey now forming the subject of discussion at the Constantinople conference, this memorial was drawn up and presented to various governments.

So far the Governments of France, England, and Germany have responded favorably, and have instructed their delegates or ambassadors accordingly.

Our government will receive this memorial too late to give you any instructions in time. I therefore took the liberty of forwarding you a copy of it.

I am fully aware that our government represented by you could do no more than to bring its moral influence to bear in favor of true liberty.

From your political record and my personal knowledge of you, I feel convinced that you will do all you can consistently to favor the object of this memorial, and I beg you to use your influence toward the accomplishment of it. The mode and manner, time, &c., of aiding us I leave entirely to you.

I beg you to receive my thanks in advance, and to assure you that I will appreciate any services you may render us.

I have, &.,