Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Finch to Mr. Day.

Legation of the United States,
Montevideo, October 13, 1898.

No. 85.]

Sir: On the 13th instant I received the inclosed communications from the acting minister for foreign affairs, the Hon. Jacobo A. Varela.

No. 1 * * *

No. 2 refers to my representations in behalf of the colored soldier, John Baker Dick, a member of the Fifth Cavalry, Uruguay army, who claims to be a citizen of the United States, and to have been pressed into the military service of this Republic.

Respectfully,

William R. Finch.

[Inclosure in No. 85.—Translation.]

Montevideo, October 10, 1898.

Mr. William R. Finch,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America.

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note, dated the 7th instant, soliciting release of the soldier, John Baker Dick, from the Fifth Cavalry Regiment, if on investigation it shall be found that he is a citizen of the United States.

In answer to your note I have to say that your excellency’s communication has been referred to the war office, and that I will take pleasure in informing you of the decision of that department at the earliest moment after its receipt.

I salute your excellency with my distinguished consideration.

Jacobo A. Varela.