Lewis , Secretary of State to Mr. Lewis, October 25, 1871

Mr. Turner to Mr. Lewis.

Sir: Your official communication bearing date October 23, and conveying to this legation information to the effect that the residence of his excellency E. J. Roye, President of Liberia, had been fired into with “a round of grape-shot,” and that a public meeting had been held “in this city “on the 23d instant, the action of which was to request his excellency the President to resign his office as President, and calling my official attention to the fact that a “revolution now exists in Liberia,” is received. In reply, I beg most respectfully to state that the policy adopted by the Government of the United States toward other governments whose subjects were in a state of rebellion is that of strict neutrality. I therefore do assure you, sir, that in pursuance of said policy, my official conduct toward the government of Liberia, and the citizens thereof, during the existence of the “revolution” referred to in your dispatch, shall be exclusively controlled by those international laws laying down the course proper to be pursued by neutral powers in such cases.

With sentiments of esteem, I have, &.c, &c,