Mr. Gresham to Mr. Thompson.
Washington, March 17, 1893.
Sir: I have received your No. 28 of 8th ultimo, in which you inclose a copy of a letter of advice you have sent to U. S. Consul Jewett at Sivas, touching matters at Marsovan, and state your apprehensions that the letter may be violated by officials, who claim, you say, the right to open letters at any time of disturbance. It is difficult to suppose that under any circumstances the Turkish Government might so far lose sight of one of the most obvious and indispensable prerogatives of foreign diplomatic representation as to violate the privileged correspondence between recognized agents of the United States. Any infringement of your rights in this regard would furnish occasion for earnest protest, especially if official correspondence under your legation seal, addressed to a subordinate officer of the United States, be opened by Turkish agents.
In view of your No. 42, of 1st instant, just received, you will ask through the foreign office an investigation in respect of the failure of your letter of 3d ultimo to reach Mr. Jewett. Your No. 41, of 1st instant, is also received.
I am, etc.,