Hall to Frelinghuysen, January 15, 1885

Mr. Hall to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I beg leave to inclose herewith, and to invite your attention thereto, three letters from Mr. Sarg, the consular agent of the United States at Livingston, addressed to Mr. Whitehouse.

Mr. Sarg reports that there are numbers of destitute foreigners at that place, all, or nearly all, of whom have come from New Orleans, some of them engaged by verbal contract to work on the projected railroad from the west coast of Guatemala to this capital; others have gone there ostensibly in search of work. Doubtless among these there are many of the tramp class who never look for work with the expectation of finding it; but there is no doubt as to their general destitution and suffering from want and privation.* * * Many of these unfortunate persons are reported to have died for want of proper attention in sickness.

I called to-day on the minister for foreign affairs, Mr. Cruz, and gave him these letters to read. I asked that the authorities at Livingston be instructed, so far as in their power, to render relief to these destitute persons, and to that end to co-operate with the consular agent. He has promised to bring the subject to the notice of the President, but I look for no efficient measures from them.

I respectfully suggest that a naval vessel be sent to Livingston; that the commander he instructed to investigate the reports of the consular agent, and to take back to New Orleans such American citizens as are found to be really destitute and desire to return. I have no means of knowing how many there may be; but, from the estimates that have been made me, I imagine there are from three to five hundred persons out of employment and destitute.

I have, &c.,