Mr. Seward to Mr. Morris.

No. 79.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 21st of August, which is not numbered.

I learn with pleasure of your safe arrival, and the reassumption of your official duties at Constantinople. As a friend of Turkey, the United States is gratified with the evidence of successful and beneficent administration which the grand council has given in an annual report to the Sultan, which accompanies your despatch.

The President hears with surprise and regret rumors of abuses of the privilege of granting protections committed by persons vicariously exercising consular functions in behalf of this government within his Imperial Majesty’s dominions. Recent improvements of administration present some grounds for believing that that privilege might now be relinquished without serious prejudice to the interests of the United States. It is not supposed, however, that in the event of either a radical change of administration, or of the recurrence of religious or other domestic disturbances in the capital or the provinces, the right of granting protections, as heretofore exercised, would be found indispensable to the safety of citizens sojourning in Turkey. In view of these opposing considerations the President has determined that you may announce to the minister of foreign affairs that the power of the ministers and of consuls to grant protection will, until further notice, be restricted so as to allow them to issue only to persons in the actual service of the United States. This restriction will not be claimed to have any bearing upon passports to American citizens granted by this department or other proper authority.

You will immediately give notice to the United States consuls in Turkey of the modification of their powers which has thus been made, and require them to conform themselves to the same.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

E. Joy Morris, &c., &c., &c., Constantinople.