Mr. Terrell to Mr. Gresham.

No. 537.]

Sir: I have just received your 435, of the 19th ultimo, regarding the killing of the naturalized American, Mr. Stupe. He had been in Europe, away from the United States, twenty-live years, and I had no evidence of his intention to return. But his violent death by a Mohammedan occurred at a time of unusual general apprehension, and as he was recognized here as an American citizen I procured a pension for his widow and minor children and sent the dragoman of the consul-general to attend the trial of his murderer. He was sentenced to death; appealed to the court of cassation, which reversed the judgment (no American dragoman being present there), and was condemned on the new trial to fifteen years’ imprisonment. My protest against the action of the court of cassation was inclosed in my 529, of May 3.

The pension and the assurance from the palace of efficient police protection followed so quickly upon my demand for the arrest and punishment of the murderer that I did not deem it necessary to report the incident until I could inform you of the punishment of the murderer.

Had Stupe, before his murder, applied for a passport he might not have received it; but as he was known to have regarded himself as an American I acted in the interest of civilization and Christian security here, at a time of excitement and apprehension, and acted as I have stated.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.