Department
of State,
Washington, October 31,
1893.
No. 80.]
[Inclosure in No. 80.]
Mr. Smith to Mr.
Gresham.
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions,
Boston
Mass., October 26,
1893. (Received October 27.)
Sir: I have great pleasure in acknowledging
recent communications from the Department of State, the first dated
September 25, the second October 18, both bearing upon affairs connected
with the college at Marsovan.
It is very gratifying to learn with what energy and tact Judge Terrell
has prosecuted the negotiations touching this matter and the good
success which has attended his efforts thus far. The transfer of the
title to the property at Marsovan to the missionaries is a very
important step, and the issuance of the permit for the erection of the
new school building is a still further assurance that the Turkish
Government is intending to fulfill all its pledges.
The contents of the later communication, in which quotations are given
from Judge Terrell’s communication to the Department of State relative
to this matter, are noted with special interest. Never for a moment have
we supposed that Judge Terrell was not laboring under very great
difficulties to secure the right result. Long experience with the
Turkish Government has, perhaps, made us unduly apprehensive of delay in
the fulfillment of pledges. But we have not questioned the purpose of
our Government to maintain its own dignity and the interests of its
citizens resident in the Turkish Empire, or the fidelity with which
Judge Terrell has, discharged his duties at the Porte. It gives me great
pleasure to express the gratification which is felt, not alone by
myself, but by all who are officially connected with the board, at the
course thus far pursued by our Government in relation to this affair in
Turkey. We cherish an assured confidence that this matter will continue
to receive the attention of the Government till the desired end is
reached.
The time which has been named to Judge Terrell for the issuance of the
firman is now passed, and we hope soon to learn that his efforts in
securing the fulfillment of this last and most important of the pledges
of the Porte to our Government have been crowned with success. I shall
take it as a special favor if you will advise me at the earliest date of
tidings to this effect which have come to the Department of State from
Constantinople.
I am, etc.,
