Office of the Historian

No. 1086.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Straus.

Department of State,
Washington, May 31, 1888.
No. 104.]

Sir: I transmit for your information a copy of a dispatch from the United States consul at Jerusalem, No. 47, of the 25th ultimo, in regard to the case of Assad Kassas. The dispatch shows:

(1)
That Kassas’ appointment was bona fide and not complicated by any suspicion that he was appointed to shield him from legal process;
(2)
That the formality of a special permit (exequatur) is not always adhered to 5 and
(3)
That the absence of such formal permit was practically cured in the present case by the certificate Kassas holds, recognizing his service as consular guard and exempting him from military duty in consequence thereof.

I am,

T. F. Bayard.
[Inclosure in No. 104.]

Mr. Gillman to Mr. Rives.

Consulate of the United States,
Jerusalem, April 25, 1888.
No. 47.]

Sir: In reply to your dispatch, No. 22, of the 16th ultimo, I have the honor to report that the real-estate suit in question, referred to in my No. 38, of February 2 last, was not pending at the time of Assad Kassas’ entrance into the service of the consulate as a guard. The date of his nomination is April 1, 1875, and the date of approval April 3, 1875, while the commencement of suit was on October 5, 1886.

An examination of the records of this office fails to supply any written permit for him to take such service. But, I find, this formality is not always adhered to, nor is it usual that such a permit should contain any admission or reservation applicable to the case.

The said Kassas holds a certificate from the military authorities exempting him from military service in recognition of his service as consular guard.

A copy of this report is, as directed, transmitted to Mr. Straus through the consulate-general.

I am, etc.,

Henry Gillman,
Consul.