I may here inform you that the notification of the blockade of Port de Paix
was received at this legation on the 30th ultimo, and it stated therein that
by a decree of the National Assembly of Constituents, dated October 26,
1888, such port was placed under blockade. Captain McRitchie was refused
clearance the 25th ultimo, and leaves here this evening for New York direct,
in ballast, having been unable to get cargo.
I have the honor to request your opinion and instructions in this case.
[Inclosure in No. 223.]
Protest of Captain McRitchie.
Port au
Prince, Hayti,
October 27, 1888.
I, Angus McRitchie, master of the schooner Winnie
Lawry, of Boston, Mass., recently arrived in this port of Port
an Prince, from New York, do hereby eater a formal protest at the
consulate-general of the United States of America at Port au Prince,
under date of the 27th day of October, A. D. 1888, against the
authorities of Port au Prince, or the Government of Hayti, for the
refusal on their part to give a clearance to said schooner Winnie Lawry to the port of Port de Paix.
The said schooner Winnie Lawry having been
chartered on September 8, 1888, to take a cargo of logwood from Port de
Paix, Hayti, to New York, by Messrs. H. Kainer &, Co., this cargo
was ready for shipment, according to advices, in the month of September
last, and is still awaiting shipment.
Whereas, on the 25th day of October, application was made to the
custom-house at Port au Prince for a clearance of the said schooner Winnie Lawry from Port au Prince for Port de
Paix, and such clearance being refused, by such refusal on the part of
the authorities the master of the said schooner Winnie
Lawry is unable to fulfill his agreement according to
charter-party drawn up and signed at the date of September 8, 1888,
whereby he incurs, first, the loss of his freight, amounting to the sum
of $3,000; second, the liability of an action at law on the part of
Messrs, H. Kainer & Co. for the non-fulfillment of his contract;
and, third, the loss of the expenses of his vessel for each and every
day of detention since October 25, instant, when, having finished
discharging his cargo at Port au Prince, he has been ready and willing
to sail for Port de Paix, amounting to $100 per day.
With these statements of my case I hereby submit my claim, as a citizen
of the United States of America, looking to our Government for fair and
proper protection.
Respectfully, yours,
A. McRitchie.
Legation of the United States.
Sworn to before me this 27th day of October, 1888.
In witness whereof my hand and seal of the legation at Port au
Prince.
[
seal.]
John E. W.
Thompson.
