56 _ DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE.

became affirmative action for the continuance of his inhuman oppressions, and
of the woes his crime had inflicted upon this crowd of innocent sufferers. That
the chief magistrate of a great nation, in whom the law of nations and the
Constitution of his country had reposed the power to meet this exigency, should
hesitate to exercise it, upon cold and timid calculations of official ease, would
be to make himself the careless spectator of the unaided misery, if not the
moral accomplice of the unpunished crime.

Upon these considerations, then, it would seem that the action of the Presi-
dent of the United States, in directing the extradition of Arguelles upon the
application of the government of Spain, was in pursuance of a national author-
ity, sanctioned by the law of nations; was in exercise of an executive func-
tion belonging to his office under the Constitution ; was not in derogation of any
right of asylum; was ajust recognition of our relations with a friendly power;
was conformed to the cherished policy of this country for the extinction of the
traffic in slaves, and was an obligation to justice and humanity which could not
have been withheld. |

I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

| WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
Hon. James F. WILSON,
| Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, Fo. of Reps.

No. 19.] CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Hamburg, August 17, 1855.

Sir: I deem it my duty to inform you that I have just reasons to believe
the Hamburg ship Deutschland, Popp, master, left here the 2d instant for New
York, has on board four criminals, sent by the authorities of Giistrow, duchy
of Mecklenhurg- Schwerin, , from, the 2 Penal establishment of said Giistrow, to be
landed at New York. a

I have notified’ the sdllector and inay or of New York of all the facts I know
in the premises, ant amB,SHT; J very. respectfully, your obedient servant,

- : SAMUEL BROMBERG.
Hon. WiLuiam in Marcy, . *
Seorthary ef Stary, ‘Washington, D.C.

3 cre ec 8 eee

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, September 19, 1855.

Sirk: Your despatch, No. 19, has been received, and an extract therefrom
relating to the deportation of certain criminals to New York by the authorities
of Giistrow has been sent to the mayor of the former place.

I am, sir, &c., |
WILLIAM HUNTER,
Assistant Secretary.
SaMUEL Brompera, Esq.,
« United States Vice- Consul, Hamburg.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, October 20, 1855.
Sir: Referring to your No. 19, relating to the shipment to New York of four
eriminals by the authorities of Giistrow, I have now to inform you that the
mayor of New York, to whom an extract from your despatch was sent, has in-