Mr. Vignaud to Mr. Sherman.
Paris, July 24, 1897. (Received Aug. 9.)
Sir: The case of Hubinoit, the Frenchman who became an American citizen under the name of Bennett, and who was arrested in France for not having served his time in the French army, was in accordance with your instruction No. 30, of June 15, laid before the minister of foreign affairs, who has not yet replied to our communication.
But I hear from a private note of Hubinoit to the consul-general that he was discharged on July 6. He gives no particulars, but says he spent all his money, and asks whether he can not hold the French Government responsible for the time he lost and for the amount of his return passage to New York. I have replied to him that, acting under your instructions, this embassy had requested some time ago his discharge from the French Government, but that without being further instructed to that effect it could not present the claim he mentioned.
I have, etc.,