Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1879

No. 388.
Mr. Evarts to Mr. Christiancy.

Department of State,
Washington, April 24, 1879.

No. 7.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Gibbs’s No. 320, in relation to the arrival of the steamship Itata, of the South American Steamship Company, at the port of Callao, flying the flag of the United States, and his action in the case. It seems that the American flag was flown on the ground of an alleged purchase of the ship by an American citizen.

I have only to observe, in reply, that under the circumstances the right of the Itata to fly our flag was properly challenged, and the ready submission of the master and owners clearly justifies the intervention of Minister Gibbs.

I am, &c.,

WM. M. EVARTS.