CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 641

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but seldom with success unless the pauper's relatives

are ready to receive and maintain him.

3rd. Applications have at times been made by

foreign governments to procure the repatriation of

American citizens who have become a charge upon charity

abroad. There is no provision, either by federal

statute or by the State laws for affording such relief,

but in each instance an effort is made, when practica-

ble, to find the relatives of the pauper or lunatic,

and in rare instances they have provided for his return

and maintenance.

I may refer, in connection with the subject, to

the correspondence between the two Governments in 1866

and 1873 wherein the question of the relief and return

of insane persons was treated; also to later corres-

pondence on the same subject with Austria. (Generel

Index, Diplomatic Correspondence and Foreign Relations

of the United States, page 431).

(Signed)

I am &c.,

Elihu Root.