Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress, December 4, 1893

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Thompson.

[Telegram.]

Department of State,
Washington, November 1, 1893.

There having been no recognition by United States of the insurgents as belligerents and there being no pretense that the port of Rio is blockaded, it is clear that if an American ship anchored in the harbor employs barges and lighters in transferring her cargo to the shore in the usual way and in doing so does not cross or otherwise interfere with Mello’s line of fire and he seizes or attempts to seize the barges or lighters, he can and should be resisted. You will deliver or send a copy of this instruction to the commander of the insurgents.

Gresham.