Mr. Sherman to Mr. Taylor.
Washington, May 4, 1897.
Sir: Adverting to the Department’s instructions No. 621, of December 7, 1896, and No. 676, of March 24, 1897, I have now to inclose a copy of a letter from Mr. Samuel Herman, jr., dated this city the 3d instant, accompanied by an affidavit of S. Hernsheim Brothers & Co., limited, of New Orleans, La., showing that the 12,000 bales of tobacco—the exportation of which was refused by the Cuban authorities—were contracted for and purchased by the company’s agent at Havana prior to May 16, 1896.
The original of the inclosed affidavit has been forwarded to the company’s agent to be filed with the other affidavits of such agent who bought the tobacco and who, with the commission merchants and their clerks, is cognizant of the facts that all of the tobacco was furnished before the date of General Weyler’s decree of May 16, 1896, prohibiting the exportation of certain tobaccos.
It is hoped that this affidavit will meet the objection referred to in your telegram of April 20, 1897, that the case, as presented at Madrid, rested upon general statements unsupported by proof. It was also observed by you that the promise was made that the case should be reexamined as soon as the expediente should arrive.
You will present the facts herein to the Spanish Government in connection with what you have already laid before it, and urge that the necessary orders for the release of the tobacco may be speedily issued.
Asking that this matter be given immediate consideration,
I am, respectfully yours,