Office of the Historian

Mr. Adee to Baron Fava.

Department of State,
Washington, August 29, 1896.
No. 150.]

Excellency: Referring to the correspondence heretofore exchanged in regard to the recent lynching of three persons—whose Italian nationality is averred by the affidavits you have submitted in this regard—by a mob at Hahnville, in the Parish of St. Charles, La., and in particular to the report of the judge and district attorney of the parish which was furnished to this Department by the governor of the State of Louisiana, I have now the pleasure to hand you copy of a telegram, which under the stated circumstances it has seemed proper to send to his excellency. You will have noticed in that report, besides the assurance of the State authorities that no efforts will be spared to find the guilty parties, the statement of facts connected with the taking of these unfortunate men from the jail which show that the lawless act of the mob was not inspired by animosity toward them on account of their race but was [Page 405] due solely to the credible charge that these persons had committed a murder. While not apprehending any fresh occurrence which might invoke the special application of the existing treaty guaranties for the protection of any imperiled countrymen of yours, I have expressed to his excellency, the governor, the President’s gratification at the assurance given that the power of the State will be exerted to discover and punish the authors of this regrettable crime against those who appear, upon the evidence so far adduced, to be subjects of a friendly power.

Accept, etc.,

Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 150.—Telegram]

Mr. Adee to Governor Foster.

Department of State,
Washington, August 29, 1896.

The report of the judge and district attorney of St. Charles Parish in regard to the recent lynching of three Italians at Hahnville has been officially communicated to the Italian ambassador for his information.

The negative evidence so furnished as to the nationality of the lynched men, namely, the absence of record of their local registration as voters, bears out the affidavits submitted by the ambassador to show that the three men, Lorenzo Salardino, Joseph Venturella, and Salvatore Arena, were Italian subjects, and as such within the purview of the treaty of 1871 between the United States and Italy, which, by its second article, guarantees to such subjects in the States and Territories of the United States “the most constant protection and security for their persons and property, and (that they) shall enjoy in this respect the same rights and privileges as are or shall be granted to the natives, on their submitting themselves to the conditions imposed upon the natives.”

The report you transmit, while stating the unsatisfactory results of the investigation so far, announces that no efforts will be spared to find the guilty parties. I have communicated this assurance to the Italian ambassador as an earnest of the purpose of the authorities of your State to fulfill this treaty obligation, if found violated, by causing, when found, the prompt apprehension, conviction, and punishment of the guilty parties. I have also acquainted the ambassador with the facts adduced in the report to show that the lawless act of the mob at Hahnville was not aimed at these men as Italians, but as persons suspected of the commission of murder. This circumstance, coupled with the assurances of the report, inspires in the mind of the President the gratifying conviction that every legitimate means at your command will be used to enforce the law upon any who may be found to have done this grievous wrong to those who appear, upon the evidence, subjects of a friendly power, and in case of need, to protect any other of their countrymen from peril.

Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary.