Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hall.
Washington, September 1, 1885.
Sir: I received on the 28th ultimo, a telegram dated San Pedro, August 27, 1885, in the following words: “Am informed steamer City of Mexico, now in New York, is ready for filibustering expedition to Honduras. If so, please prevent.” It was signed E. A. Lever, consul, whom I understood to be the recently recognized consul of Honduras at New Orleans.
I at once brought this telegraphic information to the attention of the Attorney-General and the Secretary of the Treasury for such action as their respective Departments might deem proper.
I am in receipt of a letter from the Acting Attorney-General of the 28th ultimo, wherein he states that the attorney of the United States for the southern district of New York had that day been instructed to take such steps as might be necessary to prevent any violation of the neutrality laws; also one from the Acting Secretary of the Treasury of the 29th ultimo, who observes that the collector of customs at New York has been directed to investigate the equipment of the steamer, to watch her movements and report to that Department, as well as to take proper measures against any person, or the steamer herself if a liability to proceedings for a violation of the neutrality laws arises under sections 5283, 5286, 5287, or 5290 of the Revised Statutes of the United States.
I have apprised Mr. Lever at his New Orleans address of the nature of the action of, this Government to prevent any unlawful act in this case, but as he may not receive my letter until late, I deem it prudent to instruct you to communicate the facts herein presented to the Government of Honduras.
I am, &c.,