Mathews to Hamilton Fish, August 24, 1874

No. 29. Mr. Mathews to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a meeting of the foreign representatives took place at Tangier on the 21st instant, to take into consideration the disturbed state of the province of Tangier. The meeting was held at the residence of the Spanish minister.

Attention was drawn to the state of anarchy, which for two months past has existed in this province, the authority of the Pasha being practically null outside the walls of the town of Tangier. It was pointed out that the preservation of the public peace for any length of time was most uncertain; that any untoward incident might at any moment occur to disturb it.; that crimes and acts of violence had been committed with impunity, and that it was notorious that the Pasha had no force at his disposal to put down any insurrectionary movement that may take place. Allusion was also made to the neighboring province of Anjera, which is without governor, and is also far from being in a satisfactory state.

It was unanimously decided that the time had come when some step should be taken by the foreign representatives to bring the critical state of the country to the notice of the Sultan’s government, and with this view it was agreed that an identic note should be presented by each representative to the Moorish minister for foreign affairs. The note, was drawn up by Señor Patxot, the Spanish minister, and after undergoing a few slight alterations, was accepted by all the representatives.

I have the honor to inclose herewith (inclosure 1) a translation of this note, which, in concert with the other foreign representatives, I have this day addressed to Cid Mohamed Bargash, and I hope it will meet with your approval.

I have, &c.,