John Mercer Langston to Certified to be a correct copy by the chief clerk of the department of foreign relations, April 14, 1884

No. 218. Mr. Langston to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 265, dated as of the 7th ultimo, having reference to the settlement of the claims of our citizens who sustained losses in connection with the events taking place in this city on the 22d and 23d days of September last, I have the honor to transmit a copy, with translation herewith inclosed, of a paper addressed by the honorable secretary of state of foreign relations of this Government to the gentlemen commissioners appointed on its behalf to examine and determine the amount to be allowed to foreigners who present claims for losses as indicated. To the terms and conditions of this paper the secretary has informed me that the representatives of the English and French Governments have given their assent, and the claims of their citizens are being now considered by mixed commissions composed of such number of Haytiens and English and French as may be agreed, according to such terms and conditions. In other words, each representative organizes with the Government a commission to investigate the claims of his citizens and determine what shall be paid them.

It will be found that the instructions given the commission, and to which is supposed approval will be given by each representative, unless modifications be made and agreed upon, concern under this paper, the fixing upon competent evidence, the amount which shall be paid a claimant, the same being the direct result of the pillage or fire occurring on the days named; the commission acting as a court of arbitration, whose decisions are not to be revised, but to be final; and in case of an equal division of the commission upon any vote an umpire shall be chosen.

Such is in substance the paper inclosed, with this addition, that no limit of the power of inquiry on the part of the commission is fixed so far as the discovery of the facts in a given case is concerned.

This paper has been given me in an obliging manner (officieusement) for my consideration and decision as to whether I will consent to have the losses of American citizens determined and settled in the way indicated. To such end I await the instruction of the Department.

I am, &c.,