L. Ethéart to Bassett, April 3, 1872

Mr. Ethéart to Mr. Bassett.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 30rh of March, which came to hand the afternoon of Monday, April 1, instant.

I am still ready to confirm what I said to you in our two interviews, that I have no details in reference to the vexations that Mr. Jastram claims to have been subjected to by the Haytian authorities at Saint Marc. That it was only through you that I learned the fact, since all the dispatches concerning that affair which I have received, both from the President of the republic and from my colleague, the secretary of state of justice, as well as all the documents, of which I have sent you certified copies, say not one word about it.

The inclosures A, B, C, found under cover of your aforesaid dispatch, have claimed all my attention, as you have well imagined, and I have hastened to cause copies of them to be prepared to be expedited to Saint Marc, in order that the authorities of that locality may enlighten me on the subject.

It is now a question to enter into a cross-examination, since, as you know, all the information that has reached me does not say a single word about the arrest of, and attack upon, Mr. Jastram. In order that the quickest possible dispatch may be given to this procedure, I write directly to the President of Hayti, who will give special orders to this effect.

I will, therefore, have the honor very soon to communicate with you again in reference to the facts charged against the authorities of Saint Marc.

I pray you to accept, Mr. Minister, the renewed assurance of my very high consideration.