Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Tisdel.
Washington, December 12, 1884.
Sir. * * * When you were designated as agent to the States of the Congo Association it was not intended, either by this Department or by Congress, to actually accredit you to the Government of the States of the Congo Association, as it was well known here that those States, as a political entity, did not exist.
You were charged with introducing and extending the commerce of the United States in the Congo Valley, and in order to definitely fix the scope of your mission, you were designated as agent to the States of the Congo Association, because it was believed here that the residents of the region adjoining and including the Congo Valley seemed on the verge of establishing constitutional States by progressive movement in that direction.
Your designation was geographical rather than political.
I am, &c.,