No. 539.
Mr. Moran
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Lisbon, September 19, 1879.
(Received October 8.)
No. 277.]
Sir: Referring to my Nos. 254, 255, 256, 257, and
numerous prior dispatches, relating to the United States Naval Cemetery at
Porto Grande, St. Vincent, Cape Verd Islands, I have now the honor to
inclose herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. Terry, dated the 28th ultimo,
announcing the transfer of the remains of the dead from the old to the new
cemetery lately formed by the Portuguese authorities at that island. It
seems that the ceremony of the transfer was conducted with great respect by
the Portuguese civil, military, and naval authorities.
I have thanked Mr. Terry for the part he has taken in this long and tedious
business, and I inclose a copy of my letter of thanks to him.
* * * * * * *
Mr. Terry deserves great praise for his share in causing the formation of the
new cemetery, and the transfer of the dead to it, and he suggests that a
suitable monument to mark the last resting place of the officers and seamen
buried in St. Vincent be forward from the United States. This suggestion
meets with my approval, and I trust that the Department will also see it in
a favorable light.
This has been a perplexing negotiation, and I congratulate the government on
its satisfactory termination.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 277.]
Mr. Terry to Mr.
Moran
Consulate of the United States,
Santiago, Cape Verd Islands, August 28, 1879.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
lately returned from the island o St. Vincent, to which place I went in
order to witness the transfer of the remains of the buried dead from the
old to the new American cemetery lately erected by the Portuguese
authorities for the United States of America.
It was very necessary, on account of the low, marshy ground on which the
old cemetery was located, to wait until what is called the dry season,
or about the 1st of August, which I did. It occupied six days for
exhuming and transferring the remains.
The Portuguese authorities did all in their power to show respect,
including civil, military, and naval.
It was utterly impossible to know the names of those removed,
consequently the remains were placed in two coffins and buried side by
side. There is no monument or head-stone to mark their last resting
place, and I would suggest that a suitable one be forwarded from the
United States. The new cemetery is all that could be desired.
Hoping to hear from you soon, as I have received no answer of late,
remaining always at your service,
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 277.]
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Terry
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon, September 17,
1879.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo informing me of your return
from the island of St. Vincent, where you have lately
[Page 854]
been to witness and superintend the
transfer of the remains of the dead from the old to the new American
cemetery, lately erected by the Portuguese authorities for the United
States, at that place.
I am gratified to learn that the transfer was made so successfully and
with so much respect for the dead, and I thank you for the effective
service you rendered in the performance of this duty to the remains of
our countrymen. I think that our government may be congratulated on the
conclusion of this long and tedious negotiation, in which your part was
most honorable and effective.
I notice your suggestion that a suitable monument should be erected over
the graves in the new cemetery, and I shall not fail to forward a copy
of your letter to our government, and invite attention to that
proposal.
I have, &c.,
