John Mercer Langston to Langston, January 24, 1879

No. 243. Mr. Langston to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit, herewith inclosed, copies of the dispatches which, up to this time, compose the correspondence not already forwarded to the Department, as passed between this legation and the Haytian Government, having reference to the consular charges levied and collected under the law of August 23, 1877.

I am now fully advised with regard to the position as well of the French and German as the British Government, on this subject, and I am able to state that the representatives of the governments named have now under consideration the project of a paper which will probably be adopted by them, and be presented as an identic protest against the collection of the charges referred to. The considerations submitted in this paper are substantially those dwelt upon by me in my several dispatches on the subject, and, if the paper is presented, will serve to convince the honorable secretary that I am not the only representative of a foreign state, residing near his government, who is opposed to the levy and collection of the charges in question, and from whom a wise and positive protest emanates in moderate but firm terms.

As bearing upon this general subject, and to advise you as fully as may be with regard thereto, I beg to inform you that the present secretary of state for foreign affairs, Mr. L. Ethéart, is the author of the act enjoining the consular charges under consideration, and feels not only quite confident of his ability to defend his work in this behalf, but would experience special satisfaction did he find himself really able to do so. I await your instructions with regard to the closing portion of his last dispatch, in which, I am informed, that the honorable minister of Hayti residing near our government will be directed to bring this matter to the attention of the cabinet at Washington, in order to a speedy, definitive solution.

I have, &c.,