Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LEGATION OF CHINA AT WASHINGTON-Continued.

No.

From and to whom.

Date.

Subject.

Page.

Mr. Pung to Mr. Blaine ....

1890. June 23

Segregation of Chinese subjects in San Francisco:
Acknowledges the receipt of Mr. Blaine's note
of the 14th instant; regrets the variance of
their views with regard to the duty imposed
upon the United States Government by the
third article of the treaty of 1880.

Mr. Tsui to Mr. Blaine...... Sept. 14 Expulsion of Chinese subjects from Aberdeen,

Washington: Has received a telegram from the
Chinese consul-general at San Francisco, stat-
ing that the Chinese residents of Aberdeen had
been notified by the citizens that they must
leave the town at once; asks that such meas-
ures may be taken by telegraph as will secure
the Chinese subjects at Aberdeen the protec
tion to which they are entitled under existing
treaties.

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Tsui... Sept. 16 Same subject: Acknowledges note of 14th instant

Same to same

and telegram of 15th instant; has wired the
governor of Washington, stating facts and ask.
ing him to prevent any disturbance of order or
violation of the rights of the Chinese residing
at Aberdeen.

Sept. 19 Expulsion of Chinese subjects from Aberdeen,
Washington: Has received a telegram from the
governor of Washington, saying that he will use
every means in his power to prevent any viola-
tion of law at Aberdeen.

Chinese exclusion bill: Is surprised not to have
received any reply to his note of March 26, 1890.
Has been instructed to ask again that early at-
tention be given to that and to previous notes
of the legation on the subject. The losses and
injuries now being suffered by thousands of his
countrymen, owing to the rigorous enforcement
of the bill, impel him to redouble his efforts to
secure redress. Appeals to the American code
of international law for the settlement of the
difficulties between China and the United
States. His Government requests that he be
informed as promptly as possible of the views
of the United States Government.
Chinese exclusion bill: The questions presented
in the legation's notes have been, and are now,
the subject of careful consideration on the part
of the United States Government. Hopes to
convey to him at an early day, in an ample and
formal manner, the President's views in the

matter.

4 Same subject: Is instructed by his Government
to convey to Mr. Blaine its disappointment at
the adjournment of Congress without having
taken any action looking to the repeal or modi-
fication of the bill, and to express the hope that
during the present session it will take such
steps as will assure the Chinese Government
of the desire of that of the United States to
maintain in full force and vigor the treaties en-
tered into between the two nations.

1889.

COLOMBIA.

48 Mr. Abbott to Mr. Blaine ... Dec. 12

Estate of Mrs. S. H. Smith, an American citizen,
who died at Colon: The United States consul
has requested his good offices in the settlement
of the said estate. Recites the facts in the case,
the legal questions involved, and the opinion of
counsel. Incloses a copy of a letter, dated No-
vember 7, 1889, detailing the circumstances,
from the United States consul at Colon, and
accompaniments, and translations of two let-
ters, dated respectively December 11 and De-
cember 12, 1889, from Gutierrez & Escobar, law-
yers, of Bogota, giving their legal opinion of
the case.

231

Seizure of American vessels on the San Blas coast for alleged violation of the customs laws of Colombia: Cabled him on the 8th instant to make a full report on the subject. Same subject: The Colombian Government disclaims any knowledge of any seizures except that of the British schooner Pearl and that of a schooner flying the Dominican flag. There are three classes of ports, viz, free ports, ports "habilitados," and ports not "habilitados." Importations are only permitted into the free ports and the ports "habilitados." Commerce between free ports and ports not "habilitados " is expressly prohibited. Coast trade between ports habilitados" and ports not "habilitados" is permitted to all vessels carrying merchandise of the country, or foreign merchandise on which the duties have been paid in some port "habilitado." The San Blas coast lies between the free port of Colon and the "habilitado" port of Carthagena. None of its ports are either free or "habilitado," and all direct importations are prohibited and clearly illegal. The vessel making them is subject to confiscation, with its cargo. Consuls certifying to invoices to those ports are liable to fine. Notwithstanding this, the Colombian consul at New York has granted the usual papers to vessels clearing from New York for San Blas ports and other ports not "habilitados," probably with the cognizance of the Colombian Government. Consul has been recently ordered to issue no more such papers. Same subject; The New York papers state that the American schooners Willie and Julian, whose owners had, by the advice of the Colombian consul at New York, obtained a special permit to trade on the San Blas coast from the authorities at Colon, have been seized by the Colombian cruiser La Popa for infringement of the customs laws, and taken to Carthagena. Can find no provision of law authorizing such a permit. The minister of foreign affairs says that there is no such law or custom. There seems to be no disposition to confiscate these schooners. They will be allowed to trade on the San Blas coast on payment of the regular customs dues at Carthagena. Same subject: No change in the situation. Nothing known about the reported seizure of the Julian and the Willie. Gives a statement of the laws of Colombia relative to importations. Incloses translations of the most important provisions.

Same subject: Calls attention to the distinction between the free coast and the San Blas coast. Nothing has been heard of the Julian and Willie. The Whitford has arrived at Colon, and was told by the authorities there that she must go to Carthagena and pay her duties in order to obtain permission to trade on the San Blas coast. Incloses translations of decrees relating to the free ports and to frauds on the revenue. Same subject: A report of the consul at Colon agrees with the results of Mr. Abbott's investigations as to trade on the San Blas coast. Instructs him to see that no American vessel, appearing to have acted in good faith, is subjected to any unnecessary inconvenience or restraint, and to impress upon the Colombian Government the necessity of making its requirements clearly known. Incloses a copy of a letter of the 3d instant from the Department to Foster & Co., the complainants in the case of the Julian, and a translation of the Colombian laws regulating commerce in Colombian waters. Same subject: The Pearl and the Julian, which latter is said to have sailed under the Dominican flag, are believed to have been released.

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74 Mr. Abbott to Mr. Blaine... Apr. 15

Apr. 24

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Abbott.... May 29

95 Mr. Abbott to Mr. Blaine.... July 18

Same subject: The Colombian Government has
issued full and explicit instructions with regard
to trade on the San Blas coast. No new regula
tions have been made. The Julian has paid
the duties on her cargo and sailed for the San
Blas coast.

Estate of Mrs. S. H. Smith: Matters are to remain
in statu quo until the case can be investigated.
Same subject: Discusses the question as to
whether the United States consul at Colon had
the right to sell the two houses belonging to
the estate. Thinks that he had, under the tenth
paragraph of the third article of the consular
convention of 1850. Gives reasons for regard.
ing the houses as movable property which the
consul had the right to take possession of and
sell. Instructs him to maintain the validity of
the sale by the consul.

Same subject: The minister of foreign affairs has
promised to discuss the matter with him as
soon as possible.
Aug. 14 Claim of the Boston Ice Company against Colom-
bia: Incloses a copy and translation of that
part of the report of the minister of foreign
affairs relating to the said claim, and arguing
to show that it is unfounded.
Claim of the Panama Star and Herald against
Colombia: Incloses a copy and translation of
that part of the report of the minster of foreign
affairs relating to the said claim, and arguing
to show that it was unfounded.
Estate of Mrs. S. H. Smith: Considers the views
expressed in Department's No. 67 of May 29,
1890, obviously sound.

Aug. 18

94 Mr.Wharton to Mr. Abbott. Aug. 21

120

Mr. Abbott to Mr. Blaine.... Aug. 22 Same subject: The minister of foreign affairs, in

121

Same to same...

114

Aug. 22

violation of the agreement entered into by him
with Mr. Abbott, has made extended and ad-
verse comments on the Smith case in his biennial
report. Had an interview with the minister
on the 18th instant, and notified him of Depart-
ment's instructions. He requested time to
consult the President. The following day he
received an official note from the minister, dated
14 instant, asking him to forward to the United
States for service a process of a local court
assuming to settle the estate of Alexander
Henry, an American citizen, who died in Colom-
bia several years ago. Feeling that a compliance
with this request would be a direct acknowl-
edgment of the right of the court to assume
jurisdiction in the case, he returned the proc-
ess with a note declining to admit the said
jurisdiction. Incloses a copy of that part of
the report of the minister of foreign affairs re-
lating to the estate of Mrs. S. H. Smith, and
of correspondence relating to the estate of
Alexander Henry.

Estate of Alexander Henry, a citizen of the
United States, who died in Colombia some
years ago: Gives a history of the circumstances
attending the settlement of said estate; in-
closes an unsigned copy of a letter dated Feb-
ruary 7, 1887, apparently from the legation to
the minister of foreign affairs on the subject.

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Abbott .. Oct. 10 Estate of Mrs. S. H. Smith: Department finds

nothing in the report of the minister of foreign
affairs to affect the position taken by it with
regard to the interpretation of the tenth para-
graph of article 3 of the consular convention
of 1850; his arguments are more than antici-
pated in Department's instructions.

Oct. 10 Estate of Alexander Henry: Approves his action
in declining to transmit any papers relating to
the said estate.

Mr. Adee to Mr. Abbott.... Oct. 24

Claims of United States citizens against Colom-
bia: Regrets that Colombia has not yet become
a party to the general arbitration treaty be-
tween the American states. The United States
is now forced to recall to the attention of the
Colombian Government the necessity of an early
settlement of these claims; instructs him to

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269

120 Mr. Adee to Mr. Abbott Oct. 24 Continued.

145

learn whether the Colombian Government is
prepared to give its minister at Washington full
authority to take up the discussion of them
with the Department.

Mr. Abbott to Mr. Blaine.. Oct. 24 Estate of Mrs. S. H. Smith: Relates further steps

taken in the case by the judge at Colon; in-
closes a copy and translation of a note of Au-
gust 25,1890, from the minister of foreign affairs,
acknowledging the receipt of Mr. Abbott's note
of August 22, 1890.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LEGATION OF COLOMBIA AT WASHINGTON.

270

1890.

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Hurtado. Jan. 31

Same to same...

Claim of the Panama Star and Herald against
Colombia: States the facts in the case; no re-
dress has been made to the claimants, although
it is now nearly 4 years since the wrong was
committed; thinks that such redress should
now be tendered.

May 7 Same subject: Requests a reply to his note of
January 31, 1890; hopes to receive a proposi-
tion for the settlement of the claim.

Mr. Hurtado to Mr. Blaine. May 9 Same subject: As the wrong complained of was

the personal act of General Santo Domingo Vila,
and had been disavowed by the Colombian Gov-
ernment, redress should be sought by bringing
suit against him in the Colombian courts.

FRANCE.

1889.

272

273

Mar. 4

Nov. 26 Hog products: Arrangements are being made
with the French Government for the official in-
spection of the American pork at the Paris Ex-
hibition.

1890.

Cattle and meat: Incloses a copy of a letter of
February 18, 1890, from the Secretary of Agri-
culture, showing the injustice and the injurious
effects of the restrictions placed by certain Eu-
ropean governments on the importation of
American cattle and meats. Instructs him to
try to procure the removal of such restrictions
in France.

July 4 Hog products: Incloses a copy of his letter of
the 3d instant to the minister of foreign affairs,
adducing arguments to show the justice and ex
pediency of repealing the prohibition of the im-
portation of American hog products.

July 11 Same subject: Describes a recent interview with
the minister of foreign affairs on the subject;
the minister gave him no definite reply.
July 25 Discrimination against American lubricating
oils: Incloses a copy of his note of July 9, 1891,
to the minister of foreign affairs, transmitting
a memorandum of a letter received by Mr. Reid
from a large American petroleum importing
house, complaining of a proposed discrimination
by the French Government in favor of Russian
lubricating oils as against those of American
origin.

July 28 Hog products: Incloses a copy of a note of the
11th instant from the minister of foreign af-
fairs on the subject, and of his reply of this
date, showing the fallacy of the minister's com
plaints of the McKinley bill.

Same subject: Gives the substance of his conver-
sation with the minister of foreign affairs on the
preceding Saturday.

215 Same to same..

Aug. 5

281

283

286

287

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290

224

Mr. Reid to Mr. Blaine...... Aug. 15

225

Same to same.....

Aug. 21

176 Mr. Wharton to Mr. Reid... Sept. 22

278

Same subject: Relates a conversation with the
minister of foreign affairs on the preceding
Wednesday; incloses a copy of a memorandum
which he had then handed to the minister,
showing that, with the exception of Italy, France
was the first European nation to exclude Amer-
ican pork.

Discrimination against American lubricating
oils: Incloses a copy and translation of a note
of the 14th instant from the minister of foreign
affairs, explaining the alleged discrimination re-
ferred to in Mr. Reid's note of July 9, 1891.
Same subject: Regrets that the United States
alone of all the pretroleum-producing countries
must suffer by this discrimination in favor of
all countries having the most-favored-nation
clause in their commercial treaties with France,
and especially of Russia.

Mr. Vignaud to Mr. Blaine.. Dec. 18 Death of Senator Edmond de Lafayette on the

12th instant: Gives a sketch of his life and char-
acter; incloses a table of the descendants of
General Lafayette.

GERMANY.

291

292

294

1889.

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Phelps... Nov. 27

Passports: Calls attention to certain inaccura-
cies in the passport returns of the legation for
the quarter ending September 30, 1889.
Cattle: Incloses a copy of a letter of November
22, 1889, from the Secretary of Agriculture
asking for information as to an alleged German
law prohibiting the importation of cattle from
the United States, and a copy of the Hamburg
quarantine law of 1879. Asks for copies of any
other German law bearing on the subject.

Mr. Phelps to Mr. Blaine.... Dec. 17 Passports: Makes explanations with regard to

Passports: Gives the instructions requested in
Mr. Phelps's No. 46 of the 17th ultimo.
Passports: Discusses certain questions con-
nected with the issue of a passport by the lega
tion to Mrs. Emilie Heisinger and her minor
son Carl.

Mr. Phelps to Mr. Blaine... Feb. 15 Labor conference: Incloses copies and transla

tions of two recent decrees relating to the improvement of the condition of the working classes, and directing that all other governments interested in the matter, be invited to a conference on the subject. Incloses, also, a copy and translation of the Emperor's address to the council of state on the same subject. Samoan treaty: Incloses clippings from Ger man newspapers criticising the treaty.

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Phelps... Mar. 4 Cattle and meat: Incloses a copy of a letter of

88 Mr. Phelps to Mr. Blaine... Mar. 25

the 18th ultimo from the Secretary of Agricul-
ture, showing the injustice and the injurious
effects of the restrictions placed by certain
European governments on the importation of
American cattle and meat. Instructs him to
lay the subject before the German Govern-
ment, and to remonstrate especially against
the quarantine against American cattle, par-
ticularly those intended for immediate slaugh-
ter.

Cattle and meat: Has been unable to discover
any legislation on the subject of the importa
tion of American cattle, hogs, and hog prod-
ucts, except the law of March 6, 1883, prohibit-
ing the importation of American hogs and hog
products. Incloses copies of the said law and
a copy of his note of the 21st instant to the
foreign office, asking for information with re-
gard to the quarantine against American cat-
tle and requesting that the same be abolished.

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