Mr. Gresham to Baron Saurma.
Washington, February 14, 1894.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 31st ultimo, further relating to the deportation of Mataafa, and eleven chiefs, who, agreeably to a report from the German consul at Apia, have been detained in Fakaofo from August 3 to November 8, 1893, at an expense, according to contract amounting to £22 per month. It is represented that the British consul who is expected to visit the group in May next, might take occasion to pay over the money to those entitled to it, and the suggestion is made that the amount should be refunded by the Samoan Government.
Mr. Blacklock, the consul of the United Stats at Apia, will be instructed to draw upon the Secretary of State for one-third of the amount in question, being the share of this Government, and pay it over to the British consul there, to be disposed of as suggested by you.
I deem it proper to say in this connection, this Government does not understand that the detention of Mataafa and his chiefs by the three powers is to be prolonged for an indefinite number of years.
Accept, etc.,