L. Ethéart to Bassett, April 17, 1872

Mr. Ethéart to Mr. Bassett.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your private and non-official dispatch of yesterday’s date, the contents of which I have noted with care.

If, up to the present moment, I have not made known to you the result of the inquiry instituted at Saint Marc, in reference to the charges alleged against the authorities of that city growing out of the affair of Mr. Jastram, it is because the dispatch that I addressed to the President of the republic on the subject crossed him in going to its destination as he was returning to the capital; and it is only since his arrival here that orders have been given for the prosecution of this inquiry, by sending to Saint Marc the documents relating thereto. I therefore pray you to await yet a few days longer, to obtain a definite solution of this affair.

Your sentiments, my dear Mr. Bassett, toward the Haytian people and my government, as well as the sentiments of the great republic which you represent so honorably, for a young nation which has need of being sustained and encouraged, are known to me; and I can assure you that all my efforts will tend to maintain and to consolidate the good harmony which exists between the United States and Hayti.

I pray you, my dear Mr. Bassett, to accept the sincere expression of my fraternal sentiments.