No. 344.
Memorandum.
Mr. Preston called August 18, and said that the steamer is due in New York on the 20th, and no steamer sails until the 27th.
Mr. Preston then suggested that, as a means of the disposition of the question, without on the one side committing the United States to a practical abolition of the right of asylum, and the Haytian government to a recognition of the right, that the government of Hayti might be prepared to grant, from good will, what they would not be willing to acknowledge as a right.
Mr. Cadwalader replies that if the only difficulty is to give the government of Hayti a chance to allow Mr. Canal to be embarked, that this is not difficult; and he would hot be unwilling to suggest that, as this case is pending, and must, in some way, be disposed of, and that as it has arisen under a state of things which, at least, has been allowed to exist, that he should be embarked by Mr. Bassett, leaving the principle to be discussed, if Hayti desires, in a proper way, by all the powers, and in the face of no pending case. That this suggestion can be made here, separately, by an addition to the note sent him of the 17th, or by Mr. Bassett.
He replies he has not the actual power to so agree; that he will recommend it to his government strongly, and is fully of the belief it can be carried out, and the suggestion is made that the matter stand till the 20th, when the vessel is clue, and then be finally passed on, as no mail goes until the 27th, which is agreed to.