No. 475.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Bátres.
Washington, June 5, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 4th instant, in relation to the case of the Ounalaska, a vessel seized at Acajutla while under the flag of the United States, on the charge of having unlawfully carried a cargo of arms and munitions from San Francisco to that port in aid of an insurrectionary movement against the constitutional authorities of Salvador.
The papers which you communicate to me throw light on the matter in addition to that given by the reports which have thus far been received by telegraph and mail from the United States minister in Central America and will have my attentive consideration. I must, however, allow myself to say forthwith that in the generous action of the Government of Salvador toward the captain and crew of the Ounalaska in releasing them from further proceedings and furnishing them with transportation to their homes in San Francisco, this Government sees and appreciates the desire of the Salvadorian Government to deal with the question growing out of the seizure of the Ounalaska in the spirit of comity and good will befitting the relations existing between two Republics so happily joined by ties of the sincerest friendship as are the United States and Salvador.
I may further observe that recent telegraphic reports from the United States minister in Central America advise the Department that the authorities of Salvador have placed the vessel at his disposition. Mr. Hall also reports that the Ounalaska is said to have been purchased by citizens of Salvador in the interest of the revolutionary movement. In view of the facts, so far as known here, which tend to establish a prima facie case against the Ounalaska, of having engaged in a hostile demonstration against a country with which the United States are at peace, Mr. Hall has been instructed that if the vessel be found to be the property of citizens of the United States, she may be sent to San Francisco, in charge of a prize crew, there to answer the charge of violating the statutes of the United States, but that if her purchase by parties not citizens of the United States be established, the Ounalaska is not to be deemed entitled to fly the flag of the United States, or to receive the protection of this Government.
Under these instructions it is not doubted that Mr. Hall will aet in the premises in entire consonance with the principles of international justice, and that whatever disposition may be made of the vessel will be in the interest of good feeling between the two countries.
Accept, &c.,