No. 700.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Preston.
Washington, October 29, 1888.
Sir: Your communication of the 25th instant gives to this Government the first intimation it has received of the proposed closure to commerce of the ports of Cape Haytien, Gonaïves, and St. Marc, and you further therein state that these aforesaid ports are blockaded by a Haytian naval force.
As to any movement in the United States for the sending of vessels to Hayti armed, for the purpose of participating in an insurrection in that island, the Department will take prompt measures, whenever information is laid before it, to advise the proper authorities to inquire into the alleged movement. It would insure more prompt action, however, for Haytian agents at any place within the United States where such an expedition is supposed to be preparing to apply directly and immediately to the United States district attorney, and present to him full information as to such illegal action.
The Government of the United States is fully prepared to respect a blockade of the Haytian ports which may be duly instituted and effectively maintained by the Haytian Government. But the right of the Haytian Government to call on this Government to stop sales of munitions of war to persons who may be concerned in a Haytian insurrection is in no sense conceded. As regards the question of blockade without due prior notice and proclamation thereof, it is not competent that seizures of vessels should be made by Hayti.
Therefore the Government will regard the seizure and detention of American vessels, with their crews and property, for attempting to enter such ports, without such notice of blockade, as an act of hostility and wrong for which the prompt release of the vessels and crews, restitution of the property, and other suitable redress will be insisted upon.
Accept, etc.,