No. 391.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Valera.
Washington, June 2, 1884.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your note of the 19th ultimo relative to present events at Key West, and in especial answer to my note to you of the 17th ultimo.
As your note leaves open the question whether the guard, with which this Government offered to protect the Spanish consul at Key West, and which that officer declined, should be placed for his protection, notwithstanding such declension, the suggested precaution will not be taken, but, as my note of the 17th informed you, the naval commander holds himself ready to respond, on signal, to any request which the consul may make for protection.
This, I believe, sufficiently defines whatever responsibilities the situation at Key West may imply with respect to the personal safety of the consul.
As to the other point in your note, let me say that when we are doing all we can to fulfill our obligation to Spain, you ask us to do that which the executive of no nation can do.
Threats of personal injury may, at times, take such direct form as to come within the cognizance of the courts, but action thereon is a judicial function, which may not be exercised by the executive.
Accept. &c.,