Mr. Day to Mr. Taylor.
Washington, May 28, 1897.
Sir: In connection with the Department’s instructions No. 699, of the 12th instant, I have now to inclose for your use a copy of a letter from Mr. Samuel Herman, dated this city, the 28th instant, covering a translation of the memorial of Messrs. Neuhaus, Neumann & Co., of Havana, to the Captain-General of Cuba, dated May 20, 1897, and a translation of a certified copy of proceedings instituted by that firm in the court of first instance at Havana in May, 1897, all having reference to the case of Messrs. S. Hernsheim Bros. & Co., Limited, of New Orleans, whose tobacco is embargoed there.
It is the hope of the Department that these papers, in case those heretofore submitted shall not have convinced the Spanish authorities at Madrid of the fact that the tobacco was ordered and purchased prior to the order of General Weyler of May 16, 1896, will show conclusively the bona fides of the transaction and result in an immediate order releasing the tobacco.
The Department is inclined to this belief not only on account of the evidence now and previously submitted, but because of the assurance given by the Duke of Tetuan in his note of April 20, 1897 (transmitted with your No. 685, of April 22), that the expediente relative to Hernsheim Brothers and the other tobacco cases was expected to reach Madrid very soon, and that then the case of Messrs. Hernsheim Bros. & Co. would be carefully examined by the Spanish Government in accordance with equity and justice.
You will promptly bring these facts to the attention of the Spanish Government, should it be necessary, upon the arrival of this instruction, and urge a speedy and favorable decision, telegraphing briefly the result.
Respectfully, yours,
Acting Secretary.