Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Hollister.

No. 17.]

Department of State, Washington, December 5, 1868.

Sir: Your dispatch, No. 15, of the 5th November, has been received. In reply, I transmit herewith a copy of a letter of the 3d instant, received by this department from the Secretary of the Navy, to whom the subject of your dispatch had been referred. You will perceive therefrom that it is not in the power of the Navy Department to assign another vessel to Haytien waters.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Gideon H. Hollister, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.

Navy Department, Washington, December 3, 1868.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, inclosing copy of a dispatch from the United States minister at Port-au-Prince, relative to the state of affairs on the island of Hayti, and the want of protection to the interests of American citizens there.

The naval force having been reduced, to comply with an act of Congress, Rear-Admiral Hoff is restricted in his operations. A single vessel is probably all that can be assigned to Haytien waters, and the Nipsic is now there.

Very respectfully,

GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.