A copy and translation of Mr. Elduayen’s note, transmitting the
above-mentioned communication, is also inclosed for your further
information.
I have, &c.
[Appendix C in No.
39.—Translation.]
Señor Elduayen to
Mr. Reed.
Ministry of
State,
Palace,
October 11, 1880.
My Dear Sir: I have the honor to send yon for
the information of the Government of the United States, the inclosed
copy of a translation of a letter addressed by the minister for foreign
affairs of His Sheriffian Majesty to Señor Don Antonio Canovas del
Castillo, who had the honor to act as president of the diplomatic
conference held at Madrid, for the discussion of certain questions
relating to the empire of Morocco.
As you will be pleased to observe, the letter of Sid Mohammed Vargas is
an answer from the Sultan, though not very explicit, to the memorandum
relative to the religious question in that empire, which by the request
of the governments represented in the conference was submitted by Mr.
Canovas to the consideration of the Government of Morocco on the 26th
June last, and for this reason I have thought proper to acquaint the
cabinet at Washington, through the legation under your worthy charge, of
the orders and purposes of His Sheriffian Majesty as therein
expressed.
I avail, &c.,
[Appendix D in No.
39.—Translation.]
Praise be to the only God:
To our friend the most prudent and distinguished gentleman, the
illustrious president of the council of ministers of His Majesty the
King of Spain, ex-president of the conference held at Madrid to treat of
the question of protection in Morocco, his excellency Señor. Don Antonio
Canovas del Castillo.
We incessantly interest ourselves for your welfare, praying that the
Almighty will preserve you in good health.
Know, O my friend, that we hasten to write you to inform you that our
sovereign (may God favor him) has read the memorandum which was sent to
us, through you, by the plenipotentiaries assembled at Madrid, and has
studied it with the utmost attention, not only on account of the
elevated source from whence it came, but also owing to its contents, in
conformity with the precepts of his ancestors (may God have sanctified
them), and the orders lately given by him to his authorities.
You, as president, and also the other plenipotentiaries, will have heard
with satisfaction the letter from His most Sheriffian Majesty which I
have read to you, for according to it, it is impossible His Majesty’s
subjects should not obtain justice, even if their religion be different
to that prevailing in Morocco. They possess also a resource which the
Mussulmans do not, namely, to appeal in their difficulties to the
minister for foreign affairs of His Sheriffian Majesty.
You stated on reading the communication sent to you by the minister for
foreign affairs of his holiness, that the free practice of the Christian
religion is assured by the Spanish treaty of 1861, and by the English
treaty of 1856.
It is our duty to add, in the name of our master the Sultan (whom may God
favor), that not only has no impediment been put in the way of the free
practice of the above mentioned religion, either in other times or in
the present moment, but that its representatives, the Franciscan friars,
who have been from ancient times under the protection of Spain, have on
that account and owing to their individual merits been always respected
and treated with consideration. The same gracious concessions are made
to them now as at other times, a dwelling being provided for them, and
for the practice of their religion. It is likewise publicly known that
those who follow the Jewish religion, whether they be the subjects of
our master (whom may God favor) or foreigners, are likewise always
respected in the domains of our sovereign, and practice their creed with
perfect freedom; it is an agreement made with them, and all agreements
should be kept.
Before closing this letter, we fulfill our duty in thanking you in the
name of our master (may God favor him) for the unprejudiced manner in
which you directed the labors of the conference lately held at Madrid,
and begging you to assure their excellencies, the plenipotentiaries who
took part in the conference, of our consideration and respect for them,
and entreating Allah to preserve you all in good health and keep you
long in your elevated posts, and reckoning on your friendship and
peace.
On the 11th Chawal, 1297 (September, 1880), signed, the
servant of the most high throne,
MOHAMMED VARGAS.
[Appendix E in No. 39.]
Mr. Reed to Señor
Elduayen.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, October 23,
1880.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the
reception of your excellency’s note of the 11th instant, in which you
were good enough to inclose a copy in translation of a note addressed by
Sid Mohammed Vargas to his excellency Señor Don Antonio Canovas del
Castillo, president of His Catholic Majesty’s council of ministers and
ex-president of the diplomatic conference lately held in Madrid, and
which is in answer to the “memorandum” addressed by the conference to
the Sultan of Morocco, relating to religious liberty in his empire.
In obedience to the desire expressed by your excellency, I have forwarded
a copy of said note to Washington for the information of my
government.
I gladly avail myself of this occasion to offer to your excellency a
renewed assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
