Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Gresham.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, September 18, 1893.
(Received October 6.)
No. 60.]
Sir: On Friday, the 15th instant, I took with me to
the Porte Mr. Edward Riggs, a professor in the Marsovan College, and
introduced him to the grand vizier. The professor speaks the Turkish
language fluently, and the grand vizier, who rarely comes in contact with
missionaries, was evidently pleased with his interview. Mr. Riggs is a
self-possessed, manly-looking American, and I took him to the Porte that
they might see what manner of men they had been suspecting.
I asked that Mr. Riggs might take with him the vizierial letter to the
governor-general of the province of Sivas placing under his protection Mr.
Tracy, his family and associates at Marsovan. The letter had gone forward,
but Mr. Riggs was permitted to go with an attaché of the Porte and inspect
the record copy, which he reduced to writing from memory and delivered to
me, a copy of which is inclosed.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 60.]
The following is the substance of the vizierial letter sent to the
governor-general of Sivas early in September. It was read in the hearing
of Mr. Riggs, at the Porte, on the 15th of September, 1893, and the
following abstract of it is reproduced from memory:
“In view of certain complaints brought to the hearing of the central
government of improper treatment of pupils of the American college at
Marsovan, the attention of the governor-general is called to the facts
relating to that institution. It having been understood that Dr. Herrick
has been removed from the position of director of the college, and that
Mr. Tracy is appointed in his place, no change is required in the
relations of the Government to the college, but the governor-general is
instructed to use all needed means for the protection of the said Mr.
Tracy and family, and his associates, and for the defense of the rights
of their pupils.”
The document in the original occupied not more than three or four lines
of Turkish, and had the appearance of an order such as might have been
sent by telegraph, and it had evidently been received in Marsovan by
September 5. I can not be certain of the exact form of the language. The
official number of the order was given to me, 38.
Edward Riggs.
Constantinople, September 15,
1893.
