Mr. de La Reintrie to Mr. Seward.
No. 63.]
Consulate General of the United
States of America,
Habana,
June 12, 1868.
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence,
contained in my No. 39, of March 16, and to your reply No. 27, March
31st last, respecting the bonds required for negroes brought to the
Island of Cuba on board American vessels, I asked for a brief interview
with Captain General Lersundi on the 17th of April last, as reported in
my No. 46, of the same date.
As he was then about to leave Habana on a visit to Santiago de Cuba, I
informed you that some delay would necessarily occur in complying with
your instructions, and as at the aforesaid interview he had desired me
to communicate in writing with him, I herewith give you a copy of my
communication to him of the 4th, and of his reply of the 8th
instant.
You will perceive that the captain general declines to act in the matter
on the ground that it is not within his attributes, and refers the
question to the diplomatic consideration of the department and her
Catholic Majesty’s minister at Washington.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
H. R. DE LA REINTRIE, Vice-Consul
General.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 12]
[Translation.]
Mr. de La Reintrie to the governor general.
Consulate General of the United
States of America,
Havana,
June 4, 1868.
Most Excellent Sir: At the interview which
I had with you the day before your departure for Santiago de Cuba,
when I showed you dispatches received from my government, you asked
for a copy of the dispatch in question before answering.
Thereupon I send you a copy of Mr. Seward’s dispatch of the 31st of
March, which I submit informally to your
consideration, at your request, hoping you will take the necessary
steps to carry out the measure to which Mr. Seward refers.
Yours, respectfully,
H. R. DE LA REINTRIE, Vice-Consul
General.
The Governor General
of the Island of Cuba.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Seward to Mr. de La Reintrie.
No. 27.]
Department of State,
Washington,
March 31,
1868.
Sir: Your dispatch No. 39, of the 16th
instant, on the subject of the bonds required for negroes
carried to Cuba on board of vessels of the United States, has
boon received.
As the requirement is pursuant to law, its discontinuance cannot
be asked for as a matter of right. It appears, however, that it
has not uniformly been exacted, some of the executive officers
in Cuba having, it is supposed, deemed themselves warranted by
circumstances from dispensing with it.
The repeal of the law, or a general discontinuance of the
exaction, is very desirable for us, now much more than formerly,
since the abolition of negro slavery in this country has much
increased the proportion of blacks, who seek employment on board
of vessels.
You will, therefore, ask an interview with the captain general,
and informally express a hope that a repeal or discontinuance of
the requirement may be found to comport with the political and
social interests of the island.
Such a measure would certainly tend to strengthen the good
understanding between the United States and Spain.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Henry R. de La Reintrie, Esq., United States Vice-Consul General,
Havana.
[Translation.]
The governor general to Mr. de La Reintrie.
SUPERIOR CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF THE EVER-FAITHFUL ISLAND
OF CUBA.
With your dispatch of the 4th instant I received Mr. Seward’s of the
31st of March, relating to the bonds required in this island on
negroes brought from the United States, which you submit informally to my consideration.
In reply, I will say that it is not in my power to alter the law
requiring the surety, which also applies to national vessels, as it
belongs to the government of the Queen, my august sovereign, and I
must refer the honorable Secretary of State to her Catholic
Majesty’s minister in Washington for the consideration of the
affair, regretting at the same time my inability to oblige Mr.
Seward.
Havana,
June 8, 1868.
FRANCISICO LERSUNDI.
The Vice-Consul General
of the United States of America.
