E. D. Bassett to Monsieur Excellent, May 4, 1875

Mr. Bassett to Mr. Excellent.

Monsieur: Referring to your dispatch of yesterday, in which you ask me for a list of persons whom you suppose to be in my official residence, I have the honor to state that the same request was made to this legation in January, 1870, by your predecessor, Mr. T. Rameau, and that in the answer given by this legation January 13, 1870, to his request, occur these words:

“The persons who may have sought refuge under my flag are considered as being on the territory and under the protection of the United States.

“I guarantee that they shall in no way affect the public order while they remain here.

“It has been the uniform practice between the government of Hayti and the other powers represented here to furnish such list as you request solely with the view to the release or embarkation of the persons in refuge, and not at all for the purpose of affording the Haytian government the opportunity of searching them out, or putting in force its measures of police. In consideration of these facts, and in consideration of instructions to this legation from the United States Government relating to the subject, I must beg you to excuse me for the present from furnishing the requested list.”

The question having been once thus officially decided, I beg you to believe that no other ground can now be taken in reference to it.

I am, monsieur, your obedient servant,