John Mercer Langston to Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, December 17, 1883

No. 216. Mr. Langston to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit as herewith inclosed a copy of a despatch, with translation, addressed by the President of this Republic to me, dated November 22, 1883.

This dispatch is one in which the consuls of France, England, Germany, Spain, and Italy are invited with myself to call at the national palace to confer with President Salomon upon the matter of the indemnity to be accorded to foreigners who suffered in their interests in consequence of the unfortunate events of the 22d and 23d of September last in this city. The conference was held as requested on the 24th ultimo, all the consuls named being in attendance except the consul of Germany, who was absent at the time from Port au Prince. After the President had explained his desires and purposes in the matter the gentlemen representatives present left the palace, after assuring him that the subject should have their serious consideration and that he should hear from them with respect thereto upon the return of the consul of Germany.

Accordingly, on the 1st instant, the gentlemen mentioned held a conference at this legation, and after due consideration of the subject the undersigned was requested to write the President, asking his consideration and response as to the several points suggested in my note of the 1st instant, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. In this note it will be perceived that the President is asked whether he proposes, in speaking of the losses occurring on the 22d and 23d of September last, to confine himself in considering the question of indemnity to such losses only, or whether he would adopt a policy comprehensive enough to cover and include losses occurring in other places in connection with the efforts of the Government to put down the rebellion of 1879, as at Port au Prince and Gonaives, and the losses occurring in other places than Port-au-Prince in connection with the efforts of the Government made to put down the present insurrectionary movements of the country; what mode of investigation and settlement he would propose; if a mixed commission, how he would propose to constitute it; and in what way he would propose to pay such reclamations as may be adjudged well-founded.

A copy of the President’s dispatch, with a translation, is herewith transmitted. After acknowledging the receipt of my note and stating that the losses of the 22d and 23d of September last in this city should be the subject of special examination, the President proceeds to announce his plan of a mixed commission, one-half to be named by his Government, the other half by the representatives of the countries whose citizens present claims; such commissioners to be instructed by the honorable secretary of state of foreign relations, his instructions to be approved by the representatives as aforesaid; while the mode of payment is left undetermined by him otherwise than that he would have such matter as well as the payment of claims allowed left to the determination and vote of the corps legislatif. He closes his dispatch by expressing the hope that the plan he suggests may prove to be acceptable.

A copy of my reply to this last dispatch of the President is herewith transmitted. In my note I simply acknowledge the receipt of his dispatch, and advise him that after the consideration of the subject the several consuls mentioned by him, all supposed to have citizens here who sustained losses in connection with the occurrences of the 22d and 23d of September last, in this city, would hereafter, each for himself, according to his pleasure or his instructions, make reply with regard thereto to his Government.

Six of our citizens, Messrs. C. W. Mossell, E. V. Garrido, and Richard Allen, and Mrs. Adolphus E. Williams, Mrs. Hercules Founder, and Maria Hamilton, have filed claims of the character under discussion, aggregating in property lost and damages in personal injuries and insults received something like $100,000. The amount claimed by the persons named for their property lost is only about, at most, $20,000.

The matter of damages sustained in personal injuries and insults received, as demanded, would amount to about $80,000; and this last amount is principally made up of the claim of Mr. Mossell, who, with his wife and family was maltreated in the most barbarous manner.

It may be that the plan of a mixed commission as proposed by President Salomon would, as far as the loss of property is concerned, answer very well; but as regards the abuse, the maltreatment of our citizens, it might not prove to be advantageous and satisfactory. But with regard to its approval or otherwise, I await your instructions.

I am, &c.,