No. 96.
Mr. Logan
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States in Central America,
Guatemala City, August 28, 1879.
(Received September 17.)
No. 24.]Sir: Before the closing of the mail, I have time
only to invite your attention to the inclosed note, just received, from the
Government of Honduras. No. 1 is a copy of the original note, and No. 2 a
translation thereof.
The note explains itself, and furnishes, perhaps, additional suggestiveness
to the remarks upon the subject of expatriation in my despatch No. 22. Two
chief inquiries present themselves to me in connection with it: first,
whether our government should permit the recognition of Mr. Burchard to rest
upon the basis given it by the minister—that of an exceptional courtesy,
necessitating a return of the courtesy when it might not be convenient or
proper to extend it; and second, what the consequences of a disputed
nationality might be to Mr. Burchard personally, or to his heirs at a future
period?
I shall be glad to receive an expression of opinion from you upon the
subject.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
24.—Translation.]
Mr. Rosa to Mr.
Logan.
Office
of the Minister of Foreign Relations,
Republic of
Honduras,
Tegucigalpa, July 28,
1879.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive the
esteemed note of your excellency dated the 2d of June last, conveying
information of the nomination which your excellency’s government has
made in favor of William C. Burchard, accrediting him with the character
of consul of the United States of America at the ports of Truxillo and
Omoa in this republic.
Although my government has adopted the principle of not recognizing in
the diplomatic or consular service of a foreign nation any citizen of
Honduras, and Mr. Burchard must be so considered, since he has resided
many years in the country and has
[Page 107]
discharged important functions requiring as a
positive condition, the quality of citizenship, yet in view of the
friendly relations which hind this government with that of the United
States, and the good qualities which distinguish Mr. Burchard, he will
be recognized in the consular capacity with which he has been invested,
although against the rule which my government has adopted.
As soon as Mr. Burchard presents to the office under my charge the
commission which accredits him as consul, the exequatur will be granted
enabling him to enter upon the discharge of his duties.
With assurances of especial appreciation, I subscribe myself your
excellency’s obedient servant,
Hon. Cornelius A. Logan, &c., &c., &c.
