Mr. de La Reintrie to Mr. F. W. Seward.
No. 39.]
Consulate General of the United
States of America,
Habana,
March, 16, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith an
extract of an official letter of the 29th ultimo, received from Mr.
Richard Gibbs, the consular agent of the United States at Nuevitas, one
of the dependencies of this consulate general.
I inclose, also, a copy of the bond referred to by Mr. Gibbs in his
communication.
You will perceive that the evil complained of arises from a police
regulation of this island respecting free persons of color coining to
this island.
In view of the facts set forth in Mr. Gibbs’s letter, I would
respectfully request your instructions, in order, if possible, to remove
this restriction and tax upon the free colored people and commerce of
the United States.
I have not deemed it proper to address myself directly to the captain
general upon the subject before ascertaining the views and instructions
of the department.
This question has, I understand, been hitherto referred to the Department
of State, but it has not received, so far as I am informed, a definite
reply or solution.
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
H. R. DE LA REINTRIE, Vice-Consul
General.
Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Extract.]
Mr. Gibbs to Mr. de La Reintrie.
Nuevitas,
February 29, 1868.
* * * * * * *
I beg leave to call your attention to certain charges made on
American vessels, which go to augment the very heavy expenses
already paid by American tonnage in Cuban ports, not only as a
charge but, an act of severity to those who are now American
citizens. I refer to colored seamen arriving at Cuban ports under
the American flag.
All vessels having colored men or women that may act as stewardesses
aboard, the authorities here exact from the consignee a bond of one
thousand dollars that such colored people will not come ashore
during the stay of the vessel in port; if such bonds are not given,
the police go aboard of the vessel and the parties are taken and
placed in prison until the vessel leaves. When the bond is given,
the fees of bond and copy, ordered on stamped paper, amount to $5
25. I inclose a copy of the bond. This charge comes directly on the
vessel, and is paid by the captain, who prefers paying it to having
his men taken from aboard.
It is an old law, and in this port had not been carried into effect
for some time, until about four years ago, when they have again
placed it in operation, and is now vigorously carried out. Some of
the captains inform me that it is not so in other parts of the
island.
* * * * * * *
Your most obedient servant,
RICHARD GIBBS, United States Consular
Agent.
H. R. de La Reintrie, Vice-Consul General of the United States of America,
Habana.
[Translation.]
Copy of the bond.
In the city of Nuevitas, on the 27th of February, 1868, before me, a
notary public, and witnesses, appeared Mr. Richard Gibbs,
representative of the commercial house of R. Gibbs & Co., a
resident of this place, and declareth: That the American brig Udola,
Captain Whittemore, from New York, consigned to him, anchored in
this port on the 25th instant, having on board, as sailors, the
negro men George Trimple and Johnny Trimple; and in compliance with
article 23 of the Island Decrees, and 21 of Instructions issued the
1st of April, 1849, to prevent the negroes from being taken from the
vessel by the police and imprisoned on land till the vessel is ready
to leave, he hereby constitutes himself and his commercial house
surety for the said negroes, and binds
[Page 11]
himself to keep them on board, under the
captain’s eyes, and not allow them to go on shore under any pretext
whatever, so long as the vessel remains in this port; and if it is
proved that they have violated this contract, the surety now present
shall pay a fine of 2,000 crowns (exudos) or $1,000; the penalty
inflicted by said article 23 to be collected as by regular suit of
court; and to this he subjects all his property, present and future,
without recourse of privileges or legal rights.
This is the act of the deponent, and I attest his hand, in presence
of the witnesses Hipolito Mier, Manuel Villafuerte, and Idalecio
Barreto, all present.
R. GIBBS & CO. MELCHOR SILVA.
This copy conforms with the original in my notarial office, and I
accord it to the petitioner on this day and date.
Fees for copy and stamp, five dollars and two reals, ($5 25,)
paid.
