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cepted) for the last three years; that they are able to maintain themselves by their labor or capital. 2. That the Consul of the United States, in the sea-port, should have to certify these testimonials; and that the masters of ships, who would take a passenger without such a testimonial, should have to pay a considerable fine on landing him in the United States. 3. That the Consul of the United States, in the sea-port, should have power to refuse his certificate to all those immigrants who, in his opinion, would become a burden to the community on their arrival in the United States.

I am, sir, with high consideration, your most obedient and humble servant,

Hon. LEVI WOODBURY, Secretary of the Treasury.

F. LIST.

The message and accompanying documents were referred to a Select Committee, of which Mr. Russell, of New York, was made chairman, who made a report, July 2, 1838, accompanied by two bills, one for the revision of the naturalization laws, and the other in relation to the introduction of foreign paupers and convicts. Mr. Beatty, from the Butler district, Pennsylvania, who, happening to be a naturalized citizen, for reasons stated by him, asked for time to submit a counter report, in response to the monstrous doctrines which, he said, were contained in the report. They were the doctrines of '98, revived in full force. He stated that the gentleman from New York had had the whole session to prepare his report, and had only presented it now on the eve of the session. After some remarks from Messrs. Hamer of Ohio, Garland of Virginia, Rhett of South Carolina (who dissented from the views of the majority), Lincoln of Massachusetts (who assented to them), Reed of Massachusetts, Hoffman of New York, and Russell of New York-Mr. Cushman of New Hampshire, moved the previous question, which prevailing, the bill was committed, and no further action was had on it during the remainder of the session. See Congressional Globe of 1837-8, p. 489. At the next session, on the 4th of February, 1839, Mr. Russell again made an effort to obtain action thereon. He said it would be recollected by the House, that, last session, the Select Committee on the subject had reported a bill to prevent the introduction of foreign paupers and convicts into the United States. Subsequent events had shown the importance of that bill, and the necessity of action upon it, and he, therefore, moved that the bill be made the special order for next Thursday week. Mr. Cambreleng hoped no more special orders would be adopted, especially as they had several already. Other objections were made; Mr. Russell moved a suspension of the rules, but the motion was rejected., See Congressional Globe of 1838-9, p. 168.

No further movement on the subject, it appears, was made in Congress until the session of 1844-5, and then no definite action was had. In the mean time, however, the practice of importing into this country, from Europe, the refuse of her population, which had for years been practiced by

some of the authorities of Great Britain, was renewed by some of the German States, as will be seen by the letter noticed below. A letter from the American Consul at Hesse Cassel, as we learn from the Newburyport Herald, published in 1839, states that the government of Hamburg deported from time to time these criminals, who had either been condemned for life, or a long period. They gave them the choice, either to endure their time or immigrate, in which case the government paid their passage. The letter of the Consul stated as follows:

"This price the Bremen ship-owners could only afford by always carrying a large number, to obtain which, they had their agents over the interior of Germany, and induced the lower class which live in a very impoverished state, to immigrate, by making them believe that laborers were so much demanded in the United States, that able-bodied men could earn as soon as landed two dollars a day."

Another letter from Mr. List, Consul at Leipsic, published in the same paper, stated:

"Not only paupers, but even criminals are transported from the interior of this country, in order to be embarked there for the United States."

We learn, also, from Niles' Register, Nov. 16th, 1839, vol. Ivii., p. 177, that a Mr. De Stein, formerly an officer in the service of the Duke of Saxe Gotha, had then lately made propositions to the smaller States of Saxony, for transporting their criminals to the United States at $75 per head; which offer had been accepted by several of them. The first transport of criminals, who for the greater part had been condemned to hard labor for life, (among them two notorious robbers, Pfeifer and Albrecht,) would leave Gotha on the 15th of the month, and it was intended by and by to empty all the work-houses and jails of the country in this manner, and there was little doubt that several other States would imitate the nefarious practice. It had evidently become a general practice in the towns and boroughs of Germany, to get rid of their paupers and vicious members, by collecting the means for effecting their passage to the United States, among the inhabitants, and by supplying them from the public funds.

Notwithstanding these evidences, however, of foreign governments thus flooding our country with their convicts and paupers, Congress could not, it would seem, be aroused to the danger. During the session of 1844-45, Hamilton Fish, of New York, again introduced the subject in the House of Representatives, and a resolution was, on motion, adopted, directing the Committee on the Judiciary to "report to the House whether any, and if any, what further legislation is necessary to prevent the introduction of foreign paupers or criminals," but no report seems to have been made or further action had. See Congressional Globe 1844-45, p. 209. In the Senate, at the same session, Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, offered a resolution re

questing the Secretary of State "to communicate to the Senate such information as may be in possession of the Department of State, as to the practice of foreign governments in transporting their criminals and paupers into the United States; and he shall also communicate copies of such instructions, if any, as may have been given by the government of the United States to its consuls and other agents in foreign governments upon this subject, and copies of such reports, if any, as may have been received from such consuls and agents in relation thereto;" but it does not appear to have ever been considered or passed. See Congressional Globe 1844-45, p. 48.

CHAPTER X.

PAUPER AND CONVICT IMMIGRATION-CONTINUED.

On the 3rd of March, 1845, Mr. Berrien made a report in the Senate from the Committee on the Judiciary, to which had been referred sundry resolutions and memorials in relation to immigration of paupers and convicts, from the testimony accompanying which the following abstract is made. See Senate Document 173, 28th Congress, Second Session.

Dr. Samuel B. Martin returned, in writing, the following statement, in reply to interrogatories propounded to him, and was sworn thereto :

Baltimore, February 3rd, 1845. GENTLEMEN-I commence by stating, that I had the honor of serving this, my native city, in the capacity of health officer, for fifteen years.

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In the year 1826, during the six months of my duty, (I was only required to visit and examine the vessels, and persons on board, from the 1st of May to the 1st of November, of each year,) I examined into the condition of 1,604 foreign passengers. In my annual report of that year, I called the attention of the mayor and councils of the city to the great influx of passengers, among whom I discovered a number of paupers, &c. In the year 1880 (six months thereof), there arrived at this port 4,084 foreign passengers. I again called the attention of the mayor and councils to the subject; for which see my report, in the Appendix to the city ordinances, dated 26th December, 1830.

In the year 1831 (six months thereof,) there arrived at the port of Baltimore 4,381 foreign passengers. I again renewed my call on the attention of the mayor and councils to the growing evil, and to the important fact of the introduction among us of the halt, the lame, and the blind.

In the year 1832, (during six months,) there arrived 11,546 foreign passengers. I found it necessary to reiterate my call on the mayor and councils, for their attention to the condition of those immigrants, much the same as in my former complaints. This re

port alludes to the introduction of both paupers and criminals. My information was procured from masters of passenger vessels.

In the year 1833, (six months thereof,) we had an accession of 8,339 immigrants. Their condition the same as in former reports.

In six months of the year 1834, there arrrived at the port of Baltimore 7,463 foreign passengers. I here again complained of the tide of immigration still setting in upon us. See Appendix to city ordinances, page 31, of the year 1835.

During six months of the year 1835, the number of immigrants amounted to 3,843. Once more I renewed my call on the mayor and councils, in my annual report. See Appendix, &c., for 1836, of city ordinances.

During six months of 1836, we had an accession of 5,268 foreign passengers. I here ceased to make my complaints, as there appeared to be no notice taken of them.

During six months of the year 1837, there arrived 5,941 foreign passengers. No further call was made by me on the attention of the mayor and councils, yet their condition was no better than in former years.

During six months of the year 1838, the number of immigrants was 4,909. I continued silent as to their condition, not feeling disposed to be importunate. This was my last (fifteenth) year of the duties of health officer, the new mayor deeming it proper to change his officer.

In the foregoing statement, I commenced with the year 1829, because during the years preceding the number of immigrants was but small that came under my inspection, and less exceptionable as to character; indeed, they appeared quite like another peoplemostly good mechanics, farmers, &c.—and, in the general, possessed of means to acquire a proper subsistence amongst us. The impression made on my mind by the character and condition of the immigrants, since 1828, was, that they had become an insupportable burden in their own country, and were induced, by false pretences, and sometimes by force, to leave their country for this-the actors or agents in the matter under consideration being impelled thereto by the expectation of emolument to themselves by rendering service to the districts of country from whence these deluded people came, and holding out to them the prospect of a "land flowing with milk and honey." I feel, also, very confident they (the actors behind the curtain) must therein have some political views.

I here subjoin extracts from my annual communications to the authorities of the city of Baltimore, alluded to in this my answer to your first interrogatory, and in part to the fifth, and also to the sixth.

1828. "Many (passengers) arrived here very destitute indeed, which will have a tendency to increase our poor-rates rapidly."

1829. "I beg to be excused for again calling your attention to the great influx of passengers, (foreign immigrants alluded to,) without the least regard to their ability (in many cases) for a maintenance-some lame, blind, others in a state of idiotcy. I was informed by a respectable master of a vessel, that, two years since, a number of passengers were provided for, their passage money paid, &c., by the parish to which they belonged, and sent to this country in the vessel which he commanded."

1830. “A sense of duty impels me again to solicit your attention, not only to the increasing influx, but also to the condition, of strangers arriving at this port, both in foreign and American vessels. The increase every year is remarkable; the condition of many deplorable indeed, both as to their pecuniary resources, as well as to their infirmities, mental and physical. Paupers continue to be sent (or brought) to us in considerable numbers; to meet which, it appears to me highly necessary some measures should be adopted."

1831.Foreigners, 4,381; in which number, as usual, are comprised many paupers; a number halt, lame, and blind. This circumstance I feel it my duty to again represent as a growing evil, arising out of the facility with which such description of population may be introduced here, which, in other sea-ports, is denied to passenger ships. Vessels, both foreign as well as American, find it to their advantage to take from 150 to 200 passengers for Baltimore-being in ballast, land them without difficulty; and should no freight offer immediately, are convenient to the Potomac or James river, &c., much to their advantage, but greatly to the disadvantage of our city. I would not so frequently call your attention to this subject, did it not appear like an imposition on the lenity of our laws, and a violation of hospitality. During the past season, there has been another instance of the whole number of passengers having been paupers, and sent to this country as such, at the expense of a European parish. This fact was communicated to me by a respectable merchant, whose means of information I presume to be undisputed," &..

1832. Number of passengers for six months of this year, 11,946; of which number 400 were citizens of the United States.

"The condition of the passengers, during the past season, has been much the same as stated in my former reports, and I hope it will not be considered importunate if I once more beg the attention of our authorities to this growing evil, whereby a depraved population is with so much facility poured in upon us; the more able part pass on to the interior, but the pauper part is left on our hands. I think, also, that provision should be made by law, requiring every master or commander of a vessel to report, if he knows of or should discover such (convicts alluded to) during his passage to be on board, all and every passenger by his vessel who may have been convicted of any misdemeanor or crime prior to his receiving such passenger on board, and that such convict be retained in safe keeping at the expense of the vessel in which he or she arrives, until the departure of said vessel: and the captain placed under bond to reland said convict at such place or port where he or she was taken on board, or cause him or her (convict) to be relanded."

1833. The condition of the immigrants (foreign), as far as they came under my observation, was much of the same character as reported in former years. They will no doubt drop a full share (indeed I can bear testimony to the fact) of paupers at our doors."

Again. “Thus the immigrant finds it to be his advantage to select Baltimore as his (or her) place of landing, being also 50 to 100 miles nigher to his place of destination. Thus, in addition to diminishing his cash expenditures, and as the amount of immigration, so is the amount of pauperism increased on our hands," &c.

1834. "You can form no idea how many paupers are dropped amongst us, from such a host of passengers, during six months of each year."

1835. The number of immigrants in six months of this year, 7,463. "For immigrants continue for the most part, as heretofore reported, of the lowest order (class) of the population of Europe."

1836. The number arrived six months of this year, 3,843. No remarks were made in my annual communication of this year as to the condition of the immigrants, amounting to 5,268.

1837. From folio 489 of revised ordinances of the city of Baltimore for 1838, I extract as follows:

"But I beg leave again to assure you that there were many characters amongst these immigrants badly calculated to benefit our country, either by their morals or their ser

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