GAUTIER , Minister of Foreign Relations to Mr. Vickers, August 15, August 15, 1873

Mr. Gautier to Mr. Vickers, August 15, 1873.

Sir: The Dominican government has just received a communication from the governor of Puerto Plata, stating that Francisco Garcia, one of the factious leaders who recently rebelled at Bajobonico, in the jurisdiction of Puerto Plata, while being pursued, left behind in his flight a letter dated May 19, 1873, written at Cape Haytien by one Segundo Imbert, and signed by General Juan Nuezi. The name of the person to whom this letter was directed at Puerto Plata had been removed, the paper having been cut with some care; but García having received amnesty, and having presented himself before Governor González, General David Vickers, commercial agent of the U. S. A., Samaná, revealed the fact that the letter had been addressed to an Englishman named Andrew Taphire.

General Nuezi informs Taphire in said letter that he sends it inclosed in an envelope addressed to Mr. Hamburger, vice-consul of Her Britannic Majesty at Puerto Plata, and that in order to carry out the plan of correspondence with which he was charged, (which was that which took place at Bajabonico and Alta Mira,) he must consult the said Hamburger in everything.

The governor of Puerto Plata is continuing, with the necessary precautions, the investigation of these facts, and this ministry has just sent a copy of the aforesaid letter to our chargé d’affaires at London, in support of the complaint which had already been preferred against that individual.

As you will readily see, this matter is one of such importance that I need not dwell upon it, and if we pass from facts to inductions, we shall see that the moment an English agent takes an active part in the revolutionary movements against the Dominican republic, which have their nucleus in the neighboring state of Hayti, this is an offense to our relations with the United States of America. I have thought it of the highest importance, both for the interests which you represent, and for those of the Dominican people, to inform you of all the above circumstances.

His Excellency President Baez, who is now in the commune of San Cristobal, would be glad to have some further confidential conferences with you before your departure for the United States, both in reference to the matters referred to in this letter, and to others connected with the mutual relations between the United States and this republic, and he has, to this effect, instructed me to say to you that he would be very much gratified to have you make us another visit by the next Tybee, if there shall be no insurmountable difficulty in the way.

In the hope of seeing his excellency’s wishes fulfilled, which would, moreover, be a source of satisfaction to his whole cabinet, I have the honor to offer you the assurance of my most distinguished consideration, and to subscribe myself, your very faithful and obedient servant,