ABSTRACT
While List was writing for the Warttembergisches Archiv he was criticised for neglecting his official duties. In an attempt to silence the critics Freiherr von Kerner, the Minister of the Interior, sent List on a special mission. On April 29, 1817 List was instructed to go to Heilbronn immediately to interview a number of emigrants who were about to sail on the Neckar and Rhine to Holland where they would proceed to the United States. He was to find out why they were leaving Wiirttemberg and he was to try to persuade them to change their minds. List was also instructed to visit the districts (Oberiimter) of Weinsberg and Neckarsulm to interview prospective emigrants. Although the right to emigrate from Wiirttemberg was not granted until the promulgation of an edict on August 15, 1817 the authorities had issued many exit visas before that date. About 19,000 emigrants had been allowed to leave the country between January 1816 and July 1817,56 the majority coming from the region between Stuttgart, Weinsberg, and Maulbronn.57 Although officials tried to ensure that visas were granted only to those who had enough money for the journey, some intending emigrants never left Europe but returned home penniless to become a charge on the poor law authorities.
