to him from the Cuban authorities, confirmed through other channels, that one of the Peruvian monitors which the Spanish squadron allowed to leave one of the southern ports of the United States, instead of continuing her course towards the waters of the Pacific, in accordance with the solemn promise made to the Government of this Republic by the accredited minister of Peru, Mr. Garcia, has violated this compromise by returning to the waters of the island of Cuba, and entering one of its ports called Puerto Naranjo. The undersigned considers it his duty to call to this matter the attention of the honorable Secretary of State, to whom he doubts not such procedure will cause a feeling of disgust, adding that one of the Spanish war-steamers, the Fernando el Catolica, accompanied the said steamer to Inagua, which is at the extreme end of the island, and gave up the watchfulness which he exercised towards them, in the assurance that they would not fail to the agreement made with Spain through the mediation of the Government of the United States. The undersigned thinks it proper that the honorable Secretary of State should have exact information about the matter, and it is the purpose of this note to send him herewith exact copies of what passed at the time my government acceded to the departure of the steamers mentioned. The undersigned avails of this occasion to reiterate to the hon[733] orable Secretary of State the assurance of his highest *consideration. MAURICIO LOPEZ ROBERTS. The Honorable SECRETARY OF STATE Of the United States. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Roberts, Spanish minister. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 7, 1869. The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of the 3d instant from Don Mauricio Lopez Roberts, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Spain, stating that he had been informed by the Cuban authorities, which information was confirmed through other channels, that one of the Peruvian monitors had entered the Cuban port of Naranjo in violation of the promise made by Señor Don Garcia y Garcia, minister plenipotentiary of Peru, before those vessels left the United States. In reply the undersigned has the honor to state that this Department has no other information on the subject than that contained in Mr. Roberts's note. I appears, however, on examining the terms of Mr. Garcia's notes on the occasion of the departure of the monitors, that they do not contain any pledge that those vessels shall not enter a Spanish port under any circumstance, but that they shall not, on their way to Peru, attack the possessions of Spain. Mr. Roberts does not allege that any such attack has been made by the monitor to which he refers; consequently the pledge given by Mr. Garcia cannot be regarded as [734] violated until such attack shall *have taken place. The mere entrance of one of those vessels into a Cuban port cannot justly be regarded as a hostile act. It may have been compelled by stress of weather or other similar cause. Mr. Roberts is aware that the monitors referred to were not intended for sea-going vessels. Indeed, they cannot navigate the ocean unless attended or towed by other steamers or vessels; consequently they cannot remain long at sea without proceeding to some port for the purpose of replenishing their fuel and other sup plies. Until authentic information to the contrary shall have been received, it must be presumed that, if the monitor to which Mr. Roberts refers has in point of fact entered a Cuban port, that entrance was occasioned by some such necessity as that adverted to. The undersigned avails of this occasion to offer to Mr. Roberts the assurance of his high consideration. Señor Don M. LOPEZ ROBERTS. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Roberts, Spanish minister. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 14, 1869. SIR: I have the honor to inclose for your information the accompanying transcript of a note of the 9th instant, addressed to me by the min ister of Peru, in which is given the substance of communications [735] received by him from the *commander of the Peruvian squadron, to which the monitors Atahualpa and Manco Capac belong, especially with regard to the visit of the latter on a late occasion to the port of Naranjo, on the northern coast of Cuba. Not doubting that you will receive with satisfaction the statement of Mr. Garcia, I remain, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant, Señor Don M. LOPEZ ROBERTS. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Roberts, Spanish minister, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. [Translation.] LEGATION OF SPAIN AT WASHINGTON, April 15, 1869. The minister plenipotentiary of Spain has had the honor to receive the note of 14th instant, in which the honorable Secretary of State pleased to send him copy of a communication from the minister of Pera, dated the 9th, explaining the causes which gave occasion for the touching at Puerto Naranjo, in the island of Cuba, of the Peruvian monitor Manco Capac. The undersigned has already sent to his government these satisfactory communications, and presents his thanks to the honorable Secretary Fish for his attention, availing himself of this occasion to offer to him the expression of his highest consideration. MAURICIO LOPEZ ROBERTS. The Honorable SECRETARY OF STATE Of the United States. [737] *CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE FLORIDA, AT PHILADELPHIA. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 3, 1869. SIR: The chargé d'affaires of Hayti has addressed a note to this Department, stating that persons acting for those he calls rebels in his country are fitting out a steamer called the Florida, at Chester, Pennsylvania, for the service of the enemies of his government. He consequently asks that the clearance of that vessel may be prevented. I will consequently thank you to cause inquiry to be made into the case, and to adopt such measures as the result may warrant under the law. I have the honor to be, sir, yours, &c., Hon. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of the Treasury. HAMILTON FISH. [738] Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, *SIR: Mr. Evariste La Roche, the chargé d'affaires of Hayti, has addressed a note to this Department, stating that he has information to the effect that a steamer named Florida is in the course of being fitted out at Chester, Pennsylvania, for the service of the insurgents in arms against his government. I will consequently thank you to instruct the proper officers to prosecute any person who, in the proceeding referred to, may violate the law of the United States. I have the honor to be, sir, yours, &c., Hon. E. ROCKWOOD HOAR, Attorney-General. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE, SIR: I am in the receipt of a letter from you of the 3d instant, conveying certain information received by your Department from the chargé d'affaires of Hayti, relative to the fitting out of a steamer named Florida, at Chester, Pennsylvania, for the service of the insurgents now in arms against his government. I inclose you herewith a copy of communication addressed to the United States attorney for the eastern district of Pennsylvania upon this subject. I have the honor to be yours, &c., E. R. HOAR, Attorney-General. Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State. [739] *Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to the district attorney of the eastern district of Pennsylvania. WASHINGTON, April 10, 1869. SIR: I inclose herewith a copy of a letter addressed to this office by Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, stating that he has received information to the effect that a steamer named the Florida is in course of being fitted out at Chester, Pennsylvania, for the service of the insurgents in arms against the government of Hayti. You will please take such steps and institute such proceedings as seem to be necessary to prevent or to punish a violation of the laws of the United States by the parties who may be engaged in any illegal transaction connected with this vessel. You will report also to this office any reliable information upon the subject, and any action that you may take in pursuance of these instructions. Very respectfully, yours, &c., E. R. HOAR, Attorney-General. Eastern District Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, [For inclosure see ante, page 725.] Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d instant, relative to the fitting out at Chester, Pennsylva[740] nia, of the steamer *Florida, which the chargé d'affaires of Hayti had advised the Department of State was for the service of the enemies of his government, and whose clearance, therefore, he asked might be prevented; and you request this Department to cause inquiry to be made, and to adopt such measures as are proper in the premises. In reply, I have to inform you that a copy of your communication was transmitted to the collector at Philadelphia, with instructions to report if there were any grounds for the suspicion entertained by the Haytian chargé, and be vigilant to enforce the provisions of the act of 20th April, 1818. On the 8th instant the collector made his report, stating that he had fully advised the commanding officer of the revenue-steamer Seward what course to pursue, and had also communicated with the assistant surveyor at Chester in relation to the matter, a copy of whose letter was inclosed, and herewith I transmit copies of these documents. I also inclose you a copy of the instructions of this Department to the collector of Philadelphia, of this day's date, directing him, if the case demanded it, to take the bond provided by the first section of the act above cited. Mr. Moore, collector of customs, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury. CUSTOM-HOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, SIR: I have received your letter of the 5th instant, inclosing copy of letter from Secretary of State in relation to an apprehended violation of the neutrality laws in fitting out steamer Florida at Chester, Pennsylvania. I have fully advised the commanding officer of the revenue-steamer Seward what course to pursue, and have also communicated with assistant surveyor at Chester in relation to the matter, a copy of whose letter is herewith inclosed. Very respectfully, yours, &c., Hon. GEO. S. BOUTWELL, HENRY D. MOORE, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. [Inclosure.] Mr. Litzenberg, surveyor, to collector of customs, Philadelphia. OFFICE SURVEYOR OF CUSTOMS, Chester, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1869. SIR: In answer to your inquiries in regard to the steamer Florida, now undergoing repairs at this port, I have the honor to say that I have made diligent inquiry in regard to her destination, and from information obtained, find she is bound for Rio, South America. The Florida [742] belongs to Frederick W. Clapp, of Boston, No. 17 Rowe's wharf, of whom any information in regard to her destination can be obtained. Respectfully, yours, &c., COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, SEÑOR LITZEMBERG, Surveyor. Philadelphia. |