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. Terrell to Mr. Olney.

Legation of the United States.
Constantinople , February 5, 1896 . (Received Feb. 24.)

No. 799.]

Sir: I have to inform you that the inclosed is an extract taken from a letter just received from the Rev. C. F. Gates, mailed at Harpoot on January 15, in which he states that his original estimate of loss by fire, which was $100,000, was more accurate than the one subsequently sent me.

I will inform the Porte that more recent information may increase the claim for indemnity already made.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.

[Inclosure in No. 799.—Extract.]

Mr. Gates to Mr. Terrell.

Harpoot, Turkey , January 15, 1896.

Dear Sir: Your valued letter came yesterday, and I wish to say on behalf of my associates as well as myself that we feel exceedingly grateful to you for your efforts in our behalf. When we were shut up in the college building, uncertain what a day might bring forth, it was your telegram of inquiry which first brought a ray of hope to us, and we said, “Now we can act.”

The telegrams we sent were in Dr. Barnum’s name, and the Turks said in regard to them, “What courage! That man is not afraid of death.”

* * * * * * *

Dr. Barnum wishes me to say a word about our estimate for indemnity. He says that so many things have been forgotten that our original estimate of $100,000 is more nearly accurate than the one we sent you.

It is difficult to sit down and recall all that has been carried away and destroyed at such a time as this.

* * * * * * *

Sincerely, yours,

C. F. Gates.