Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1896, and the Annual Report of the Secretary of State

Mr. Rockhill to Baron Fava.

Department of State,
Washington, September 21, 1896.

No. 155.]

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 6th instant, in further relation to the deplorable lynching of three persons, alleged to be Italian subjects, at Hahnville, in the State of Louisiana, and I am glad to take notice of your statement of the confidence felt by His Majesty’s Government that the judicial authorities of the State of Louisiana will make a vigorous effort to detect the guilty parties and bring them to trial. I am happy to renew to your excellency the assurances heretofore given that the earnest efforts of this Government will be addressed by all proper and possible means toward the attainment of that result, in vindication of justice and as a signal condemnation of the unlawful act perpetrated by the mob against the sovereignty and the laws of the State.

Further action by the Government of the United States, in the sense of your suggestions, will necessarily await its independent ascertainment of the facts of the case.

Accept, etc.,

W. W. Rockhill,
Acting Secretary.