No. 447.
Mr. Turner
to Mr. Fish.
United
States Legation,
Monrovia, March 28, 1874.
(Received May 11.)
No. 116.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department of
the reception, by his excellency the President, of the Hon. Walter Brohm, a
German
[Page 707]
merchant, engaged in
mercantile business in Monrovia, in the capacity of consul for the German
Empire. This event took place on the 27th day of the present month, at 1
o’clock p.m., (please see inclosures 1, 2, 3, and 4.) It may not be amiss to
avail myself of this opportunity to remark upon the condition of the foreign
corps near the government of Liberia. There are at present four members of
the foreign corps near the government of Liberia. The German Empire, the
Netherlands, Hayti, and the United States are the four powers represented.
Hayti is represented in the person of a citizen of Liberia. The remaining
three powers named are represented by persons chosen from among their own
citizens. The United States alone sends an officer empowered with exclusive
diplomatic or consular character; also, the only power that sends a
minister. The grade of no other foreign representative in Liberia is above
that of consul-general. It was formerly the custom of Her Britannic
Majesty’s government to keep a consul near that of Liberia. This custom
seems of late not to have been strictly observed. There has been no English
consul here since my reception by this government. It is apparently the
custom of all the governments represented at this time, except those of
Hayti and the United States, on application of some one of their mercantile
citizens engaged in business in Liberia, to commission such citizens as
consul-general or consul to Liberia. Perhaps it is not improper to state
here that it is the custom of the government of Liberia to appoint those
persons who are authorized to represent Liberia near other governments from
among friendly citizens of the powers near which it is desired to be
represented.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 116.]
Mr. Moore to Mr.
Turner.
Department of State,
Monrovia, March 25,
1874.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that it is
the pleasure of his excellency the President to receive Walter Brohm,
esq., as consul for the German Empire near this government, on Thursday,
the 28th instant, at 1 o’clock, at the executive mansion, and to solicit
your attendance on that occasion.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 116.]
Mr. Turner to Mr.
Moore.
Legation of the Unites States,
Monrovia, March 25,
1874.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your
announcement of the intention of his excellency the President to receive
Walter Brohm, esq., as consul for the German Empire, on Thursday, the
26th instant, at 1 o’clock, together with your solicitation for my
attendance on that occasion. Thanking you in advance, Mr. Secretary, for
the pleasure I anticipate at being present on so distinguished an
occasion,
I have, &c.,
[Page 708]
[Inclosure 3 in No. 116.]
Mr. Turner to Mr.
Brohm.
Legation of the United States,
Monrovia, Liberia, March 26, 1874.
Sir: I have this day had the honor to be
present at your reception by his excellency the President of Liberia in
the capacity of consul for the German Empire. In welcoming you as a
fellow consular officer to the foreign corps here, I feel warranted,
both on account of the relations of good friendship subsisting between
the government of the German Empire and that of the United States, and
because of my personal knowledge of yourself, in extending to you the
official courtesy of the United States legation at this place.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 4 in No. 116.]
Mr. Brohm to Mr.
Turner.
Monrovia, March 27,
1874.
Sir: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your very
kind note welcoming me as a fellow consular officer in the foreign
corps. In reply I return respectful thanks, and beg you to accept the
assurance of my fervent and sincere hope that the good friendship
between our mutual governments may ever exist.
I also avail myself of this opportunity to express my personal high
esteem and consideration toward your excellency, with which I have the
honor to be, &c.,
WALTER BROHM,
Consul for the German
Empire.
