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

Mr. Hay to Mr. Buchanan.

Department of State,
Washington, January 13, 1899.

No. 436.]

Sir: Referring to your No. 582, of November 22 last, relative to the request for the entry and clearance of the Hawaiian schooner Americana, I inclose copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of the Treasury stating that such vessels can not be considered vessels of the United States without additional legislation.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.

[Inclosure in No. 436.]

Mr. Spaulding to Mr. Hay.

Treasury Department,
Washington, January 10, 1899.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 7th instant, transmitting for an expression of the views of this Department a copy of a dispatch from our minister to the Argentine Republic, reporting the case of the Hawaiian schooner Americana, whose master desired the United States consul at Buenos Ayres to enter and clear his vessel.

It appears to this Department that such vessels can not be considered as vessels of the United States without additional legislation. Pending such legislation, all proper action should be taken by the minister to facilitate their entry and clearance.

Respectfully, yours,

O. L. Spaulding,
Acting Secretary.