Mr. Gresham to Mr.
Thompson.
Department
of State,
Washington, March 8,
1893.
No. 49.]
Sir: I transmit, with reference to Instruction No.
44 of 1st instant, a copy of a letter from Mr. Alden of the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Boston, and of correspondence
therewith, from United States citizens at Marsovan, relative to the recent
destruction of their property by incendiaries. If our citizens are impeded
in communicating with the legation you will if necessary, ask observance of
their right in this regard.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 49.]
Mr. Alden to Mr.
Foster.
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions,
Congregational House, Somerset
Street,
Boston,
March 2, 1893.
Dear Sir: The inclosed extracts from
correspondence from our imperiled missionaries at Marsovan, Turkey, just
received, I send you in addition to documents sent you two or three days
ago. We regard them as of very great importance, and you will see that
our missionaries have notified the Government that they should appeal to
the U. S. embassy. We are sure that you will do everything possible to
secure prompt action in this matter.
Truly, yours,
anatola college, marsovan, turkey in
asia.
Translation of paper sent in to Governor,
5th February.
It is well known to you, sir, that the undersigned Americans, residing
within the Imperial Ottoman Empire, have from the first till now lived
and acted in a manner honorable and friendly, without fault or failure,
in accord with treaty rights subsisting between the Government of the
United States of America and the Imperial Ottoman Government; and that
we have always, both by precept and example, taught all under our
control to render absolute obedience and loyal fidelity to the Imperial
Ottoman Government; and that, while so doing, it has been our uniform
custom to rely upon the local government for the protection and defense
of our persons, our property, and all belonging to us.
The known events of the past week, however, have compelled us to appeal
to our own embassy; and that perfectly free communication with our
embassy is one of our rights is evident.
This note is sent to remind you, in a formal manner, that this local
government will be held responsible for any infringement of any right,
or for any harm to our persons, our property, or to any of those
dependent upon us.
- George F. Herrick.
- J. F. Smith.
- Edward Riggs.
- George E. White.
[Page 618]
Rev. George F.
Herrick to Secretary Judson
Smith.
[Extract of a letter, dated Marsovan,
Turkey, February 8, 1893.]
Events here for ten days past have pressed so upon themselves and upon
our own hearts and brains, attempts to bring our case before our own
United States representatives have been so difficult to make culminate
in success, the importance of doing the right thing at the right time,
neither before nor after, the grave importance of the possible issues,
the hourly duty of controlling and occupying all our pupils, presses so
that no one, I presume, has even thought of writing directly to you as
yet. Even now we may think best to write under much reserve, from
reasons which you can partly guess. Two of the teachers of the college
are in close prison confinement, all access to them on our part denied.
Our new girls’ school building is in ashes. Our own safety has been
imperiled by the fire, the work of an incendiary, and also by culpable
excitement stirred among the people. We have acted, or abstained from
acting, with great deliberation. From the hour when our pupils learned
that their senior teacher was in prison my best tact and fullest
authority have been required to keep them both obedient and at work.
They have come to me often. On the night of the fire they heeded my
whispered word to abstain from the least word or act which could anger
unreasonable men.
A good reason could be given, were it opportune to give it, why our paper
was not sent in to the governor before the
5th.
A true copy. Attest:
