Mr. Bayard to Mr. Roustan .
Washington , September 9, 1885.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 5th instant, in which you are pleased to inform me that the Government of the French Republic, in conformity with the provisions of article 34 of the general act of the Berlin conference, directs you to acquaint this Government with the assumption, by the French Government, under the authority of treaty and sanction of a decree of the President of the Republic, of sovereign authority over the country of the Ouatchis, situated on the west coast of Africa between the lagoon of Grand Popo and the Kingdom of Dahomey.
Your note adds that, in virtue of this proceeding, foreigners of whatever nationality established in the territory of the Ouatchis will hereafter enjoy the benefits of French jurisdiction, and that any political, civil, or judicial questions affecting foreign powers which may arise in that region will be hereafter dealt with by the Government of the French Republic.
Until the United States shall, by subsequent accession to and ratification of the general act of the conference of Berlin, in the manner therein provided, become a party to the stipulations thereof, it will be impossible to determine the due and proper weight to be given by this Government to the declaration and claim which you have thus communicated.
Accept, &c.,