Mr. Terrell to Mr. Gresham.

No. 451.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the matters referred to in the letters from the secretary of the American Board of Foreign Missions inclosed in your No. 360, of the 15th ultimo, were already known to me, and the dangers apprehended by Dr. Judson Smith were guarded against by orders from the Porte on my demand. An assurance that the petty annoyances which made the American teachers at Bitlis feel insecure would cease was given me at the Porte before your telegram on the subject was received, and after its receipt orders were given in my presence for an immediate telegram charging Turkish officials at Bitlis to look after their safety.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.