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. Day.

American Embassy,
London, May 9, 1898.

No. 383.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I received a note this morning from the foreign office, dated the 7th instant, transmitting an extract from a telegram to Her Majesty’s secretary of state for the colonies from the governor of Sierra Leone, reporting the death of certain American missionaries at the hand of the insurgents in that colony and mentioning others as being safe at Freetown, of both of which I inclose herewith copies.

I beg also to inclose herewith a copy of your telegraphic instruction, together with my telegraphic reply thereto, both of this date and relative to the above subject.

I have, etc.,

John Hay.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 383.]

Lord Salisbury to Mr. Hay.

Foreign Office, May 7, 1898.

Your Excellency: I have the honor to transmit to you an extract from a telegram received through Her Majesty’s secretary of state for the colonies from the governor of Sierra Leone, reporting the death of certain American missionaries at the hands of the insurgents in that colony and mentioning certain others as being safe at Freetown.

I have received the news of this sad loss of life with much concern, and I have to request your excellency to accept on behalf of the relatives of those killed the expression of the sincere sympathy with them of Mr. Chamberlain and myself.

I have, etc.,

Francis Bertie.

(In the absence of the Marquis of Salisbury.)

[Subinclosure in No. 383.]

Extract from a telegram from Governor Sir F. Cardew to Mr. Chamberlain.

Regret to inform you that the following American missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Cain, Misses Archer, Hatfield, and Schenck, killed by insurgent bands at Rotifunk; but Miss Ward, as well as the following American missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Minshall, from Shengeh, and Miss Mullen, from Mamaligi, are here quite safe. Please inform American ambassador.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 383.—Telegram.]

Mr. Day to Mr. Hay.

Department of State,
Washington, May 9, 1898.

Inquire what information foreign office has regarding alleged massacre American missionaries and destruction mission property Sierra Leone.

Day.

[Inclosure 3 in No. 383.—Telegram.]

Mr. Hay to Mr. Day.

London, May 9, 1898.

I received the following from the foreign office this morning:

Extract from telegram from Governor Sir F. Cardew to Mr. Chamberlain: “Regret to inform you that following American missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Cain, Misses Archer, Hatfield, and Schenck, killed by insurgent bands at Rotifunk; but Miss Ward, as well as following American missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Burtner and Mr. and Mrs. Minshall, from Shengeh, and Miss Mullen, from Mamaligi, are here quite safe.” Please inform American ambassador.

Hay.