Mr. Runyon to Mr. Olney.
Berlin, January 6, 1896. (Received January 17.)
Sir: Referring to your instruction, No. 490, of the 7th of December last, informing me that the superintendent of insurance of the State of New York had requested Mr. Poultney Bigelow to act as his representative with the proper officers of the Kingdom of Prussia in reference to the subject matter (American insurance companies in Prussia) of a letter from the superintendent to the State Department, and requesting me to do anything in my power to facilitate the objects of Mr. Bigelow’s mission by giving him access to the proper Prussian officials or otherwise, I beg leave to say that in accordance with that instruction I have furnished Mr. Bigelow with all desired means of access to the officials referred to and have otherwise given him all the assistance in my power to further the objects of his mission. He informs me that he has called upon all the officials, Imperial as well as Prussian, whom it was thought desirable to see, and he has made full daily reports of his proceedings to his principal, the superintendent of insurance of New York. I may add that his action in discharge of his duty in the premises has been taken after consultation with me, and he has advised with me as to all his steps, and has, I believe, in all things been governed by my judgment.
I have, etc.,