No. 683.
Mr. King
to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, January 15, 1887.
(Received February 1.)
No. 277.]
Sir: Interference with the colporteurs employed by
the missionaries has been a difficulty of long standing between this
legation and the Turkish Government. Recently, however, they agreed to
prepare certain regulations for the control of these colporteurs, which,
when finished, will put an end to these difficulties, we hope.
A commission was appointed to prepare these regulations, but at one time
ceased to hold meetings and apparently came to an end; but they were urged
to take the matter up again, and they have at length finished framing the
articles. These are to be submitted to two or more councils and, finally, to
the Sultan.
In the mean time the arrest of the colporteurs, notwithstanding the agreement
to leave them alone for the present, continues to give trouble to our
missionaries. Verbal remonstrances have been made several times, but they
have proved ineffective.
Accordingly I have sent a dispatch to the minister of foreign affairs on the
subject, a copy of which I inclose for your consideration.
I have, etc.,
[Page 1090]
[Inclosure in No. 277.]
Mr. King to
Said Pacha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, January 13,
1887.
Excellency: I beg to ask your attention to the
matter of the frequent interference by the municipal authorities with
the colporteurs employed by the American Bible Society, especially of
those in Constantinople, in the sale of books, which have been submitted
to and authorized by the board of public instruction.
A few years ago these interferences were carried to such an extent that
my Government laid claim to an indemnity. This claim it afterwards
relinquished under the express condition that such interference should
not occur again, as you will see by referring to dispatch No. 118, of
June 22, 1882, from this legation to the Sublime Porte, and from
dispatch of March 22, 1883, from the Sublim Porte in reply, and finally
to dispatch No. 156, of March 30, 1883, from this legation to the
Sublime Porte.
Recently a commission was appointed to frame regulations on this subject,
with the distinct understanding between this legation and your
department that colporteurs quietly pursuing their business should not
be interfered with until said regulations were completed.
I therefore beg your excellency to issue positive instructions to the
competent authorities which will prevent further interference with said
colporteurs.
Accept, etc.,
