No. 393.
Mr. Mathews to Mr. Evarts.
Consulate
of the United States,
Tangier
September 20, 1878. (Received November
9.)
No. 295.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your dispatch No. 132, dated July 2, 1878, together with its accompaniments,
relative, to the request of the president and vice-president of the board of
delegates of American Israelites, New York, requesting that I should be
instructed to inquire into the condition of the Jews in this empire, and to
consult for the amelioration of their status, and to take, such steps ‘
toward the accomplishment of the end desired, consistent with my
international obligations with this government.
I am happy to state that my relations with this Government of Morocco are
such that I can exercise my unofficial friendly offices on behalf of the
Israelites in this country with good result when required, as it has been
the case lately, when a Jewish family was murdered near Laraiche, and
another Israelite near Arzila, and, the town itself menaced by the Kabyles,
who were preparing to murder and plunder all the Israelites in the place.
Having received a letter to this effect from the elders of the Hebrew
community of Arzila, I lost no time in communicating the same personally to
the Moorish minister of foreign affairs, who at once dispatched a messenger
to the governor of Laraiche, who, on receipt of our letters, immediately
ordered a Kaid and fifty soldiers to Arzila, there to protect the Jewish
population, who were in great consternation.
The murderers of the Jewish family are now in prison, and the, minister for
foreign affairs has assured me that their punishment will be such as to
deter others from committing similar acts of violence in future.
I beg to inclose herewith copies of the two letters addressed to me by Mr. M.
L. Benshiton, chief of the Israelites of Arzila, requesting my intercession
on their behalf, and acknowledging the result of the same.
I shall avail myself of all proper opportunities to accomplish, in the manner
you have been pleased to indicate, the ends desired by the board of
delegates of American Israelites.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 295.]
Mr. Benshiton to
Mr. Mathews.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you, with much
regret, that yesterday the Moors killed a Hebrew, by the name of David
of Jacob Ederhy, quite close to this town, and that all the environs and
gardens of this town are infested with thieves and assassins getting
ready to enter and plunder the Israelites, who already do not risk to go
out of town for fear of being assassinated and robbed. Thus they are
prevented from earning their daily bread at the various markets, and
consequently their sufferings on these days of famine, sickness, and
misery are great.
For several days past these highwaymen and evil-doers have attempted to
scale the town walls; also they tried to break its gates; and all this
is taking place for the want, of government and police.
In vain we have appealed to the governor of Laraiche for help; and now
all the Hebrews of Arzila have come to me to appeal to you, in the name
of humanity, that with your influence and good-will you may speak on our
behalf with the Moorish Government, and obtain for us some troops that
may drive the malefactors away from this neighborhood and protect our
lives and properties, now in the most imminent danger; and this act of
yours will be a favor which God Almighty will reward you with hi a
blessing and much happiness.
I remain, &c.,
[Page 692]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 295.]
Mr. Benshiton to
Mr. Mathews.
Sir: I have the honor and great satisfaction to
inform you that at nine o’clock this morning 50 soldiers, with their
chief, entered this town from Laraiche, sent by the governor of that
city for the purpose of defending the lives and property of the Jewish
inhabitants of this town, according to your request to the minister of
foreign affairs of Morocco.
The inhabitants of Arzila, in the name of whom I have the honor to
address you, are full of gratitude toward you for the amiability and
prompt attention you have shown in their hour of peril, and implore of
the Almighty God that he may reward you with much happiness and
prosperity in union of your children, whom may God preserve for infinite
years.
I remain, &c.,
