Mr. Hale to Mr.
Seward.
No. 142.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, San Ildefonso,
July 28, 1868.
Sir: I have received your several dispatches
numbered 113 and 114; the first about the manner in which the
custom-house rules and regulations in the island of Cuba are carried
into effect, and the other in regard to the oppressive regulations as to
colored citizens of the United States on their arrival in Cuba. As soon
as I received these several dispatches, I sent a note embodying their
contents to the minister of state, and last evening I received from him
replies to the same, copies of which I herewith inclose. As soon as I
receive any further advices from the minister of state I will lose no
time in advising you thereof.
Last year there was some difficulty in regard to our whaling vessels
arriving at the Canary islands, as to the quarantine to which they were
subjected, which was ultimately satisfactorily arranged at Madrid, after
notice to this legation by the United States consul at Teneriffe of the
embarrassments to which they had been subjected.
This year the consul, in anticipation of the like embarrassments, has
written me under date of July 13, asking that a similar arrangement may
be made this year. On the receipt of this letter, I addressed a note to
the minister of state, inclosing to him a copy of the letter aforesaid,
asking that a similar arrangement be made this year. Last evening I
received from him an answer, a copy of which I herewith inclose, marked
A.
Any further advices which I may receive touching this matter I will lose
no time in communicating to you, and also to the consul at
Teneriffe.
Respectfully yours,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Señor Roncali to Mr. Hale.
Ministry of State,
San Ildefonso,
July 27, 1868.
My Dear Sir: I have received to-day the
letter of your excellency, in which you set forth the causes which
induce the government of the United States to ask for a modification
of the regulations in force in the island of Cuba in respect to the
entry of individuals of the negro race in that ultra-marine
province.
I have communicated the contents of your said letter to the minister
of ultramar, and when he has come to any result on the subject I
will give your excellency opportune notice thereof.
I improve this occasion for reiterating to your excellency the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
The Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States.
[Translation.]
Señor Roncali to Mr. Hale.
Ministry of State,
San Ildefonso,
July 27, 1868.
My Dear Sir: I have received your
excellency’s letter of the 24th of the present month, in which,
after referring to the terms in which the fiscal laws in the island
of
[Page 14]
Cuba are generally
carried into effect, your excellency solicits, by request of your
government, that an investigation may be instituted on this subject,
and that a remedy may be applied to the abuses which occasioned the
above-mentioned letter of your excellency.
Notice was immediately given on this subject to the minister of
ultramar, and as soon as the determination which he shall judge most
convenient is reported, I shall have the honor to communicate it to
your excellency.
I improve this occasion for reiterating to your excellency the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
The Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States.
A.
[Translation.]
Señor Roncali to Mr. Hale.
Ministry op State,
San Ildefonso,
July 27, 1868.
My Dear Sir: I have received the note of
your excellency of the 24th of the present month, relative to the
quarantine of three days which is exacted in the Canary islands of
whaling vessels. I communicated the letter of your excellency to the
minister of gobernacion, as well as the letter of the consul of the
United States in Teneriffe, which accompanied it, and I will give
you opportune notice of the result arrived at.
I improve this occasion for reiterating the assurances of my most
distinguished consideration.
The Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States.
