As the statement of Mr. Smith does not apparently call for any formal
diplomatic action through our legation, but is nevertheless of a
character to make your good offices important to these citizens of the
United States, whose general influence on the natives there, at their
station, is believed to be, like the influence of all honest and
enlightened missionaries, conducive to the benefit of mankind, I venture
to ask that you will kindly represent the case to your Government, so
that ample protection may be afforded.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Smith to
Viscount das
Nogueiras.
Boston, September 17,
1884.
Dear Sir: I have the honor to address you,
through the Department of State at Washington, upon a matter of
interest to the American Board and the Portuguese Government.
The missionaries of this hoard five in number, who have been
stationed at Bihé, and Bailunda, in Western Africa, have been
compelled, for some cause unknown to us, to retire with their
families from those regions, and have sought safety in Benguela.
We desire to bespeak for these our brethren and fellow-citizens the
effectual protection and kindly courtesies of the Portuguese
officials at Benguela so long and so far as they may require them,
and we address your excellency in order that you may make the more
effectual representations in their behalf to your own Government at
Lisbon.
We are happy in the assurance that our friends have met a hospitable
welcome in Benguela, and we entertain a cheerful confidence that
everything needful to their security and comfort will be promptly
done. And we are the more encouraged in this expectation, because of
the numerous favors enjoyed by these same gentlemen at Lisbon and in
Benguela, when they were on their way out to Africa four years ago.
My lamented predecessor, Dr. John O. Means, under date of August 20,
1880, wrote to your excellency referring to a personal interview
previously enjoyed, and saying, “You were then pleased to say that
when these gentlemen proposing to go to Benguela were ready to sail,
if their names were furnished, to you, you should be glad to commend
them in such a way as might be proper to the courtesies of the
Portugese officials.” And under date of October 23, 1880, in view of
civilities enjoyed, he had occasion to use the following language in
a letter addressed to Mr. R. Inens, lieutenant de vaisseau de la
marine royale Portugaise: “It is with great satisfaction that we
learn of the very great courtesies and most helpful services
rendered by you to Messrs. W. W. Bagster and W. H. Sanders in
England and Portugal, on their way to Benguela and Bihé. Be assured,
sir, that your hospitable and generous conduct is appreciated.”
It is with these pledges and their ample fulfillment in the past
before us, that we look with strong expectation for the kindly
offices of your Government in behalf of these same gentlemen in the
present emergency.
It can scarcely be necessary to call you attention to the fact that
these gentlemen from America are engaged in an enterprise which is
purely benevolent and philanthropic in its aim, that they are
seeking the moral and religious improvement of the natives where
they are stationed, and that the natural results of their labors, if
successful, will be to enlighten and civilize and refine those
peoples, and thus indirectly make them of more value to all the
markets of the world as purchasers and consumers.
[Page 650]
They are not there to found colonies or raise up dependencies of the
United States or to promote any political or commercial interest
whatsoever.
You will appreciate the nature and value of their labors, and your
Government will see that a great mutual interest is promoted by the
protection of men engaged in so humane and generous an
enterprise.
Assured that whatever a chivalrous Government can effect in behalf of
the subjects of a friendly power, who are so worthy of favor and who
are thus cast upon her good offices, will be freely rendered as in
the past.
I am, &c.,
