John Mercer Langston to L. Ethéart, July 10, 1879

Mr. Langston to Mr. Ethéart.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch, dated this day, and having reference to the embarkation of refugees said to be in the different legations and consulates.

The contents of this dispatch have been brought, according to your request, to the attention of the members of the corps diplomatique et consulaire.

So far as the use of the English man-of-war Boxer is concerned, for any purpose for which your government might need it, you will permit me to suggest that you should correspond with the representative of Her Britannic Majesty.

I may be permitted to suggest, also, that I apprehend, from information which I have received both directly and indirectly, that any promise made by the representatives of the English and Spanish Governments to yours will be duly observed.

As to your suggestion with regard to not guaranteeing protection in case the refugees referred to by you are not embarked according to your request, I have only to say that responsibility in such case will attach to such party as may be eventually shown to be at fault; it is generally believed, however, that a refugee seeks shelter beneath the flag of a legation or consulate to which he flees because there he finds protection.

I beg to suggest, Mr. Minister, in the most respectful manner, that so far as my colleagues of the corps diplomatique and consulaire are concerned, your use of the French expression “obstination” is, in our judgment, not quite in accordance with diplomatic usage.

I am, &c.,