Mr. Léger to Mr. Sherman.
Washington, April 25, 1898.
Mr. Secretary of State:
Referring to the last interview which I had on the 22d instant with Mr. W. L. Penfield, Solicitor of the Department of State, I have the honor to inform you that we have been able to reach an understanding on the following points:
1. The Campbell case: In his dispatch addressed to Mr. Smythe, under date of May 2, 1896, Mr. Olney admits that the attack of which Campbell complains was made suddenly and without premeditation. Mr. Penfield has likewise admitted that the authorities of the Cape had not given orders to maltreat Campbell on account of his refusal to enter the service of Hyppolite. The ill treatment which that American citizen claims to have suffered was therefore the result of a purely accidental conflict.
Nevertheless, the Government of Haiti, desiring above all to maintain cordial relations with the United States, consents to pay the sum of $10,000 for the settlement of this case in full. This amount, after it shall have been appropriated by the legislative body, will be paid in two installments to the United States legation at Port au Prince, viz, $5,000 on the 1st day of June next, and $5,000 on the 1st day of June, 1899; the balance remaining due after the first payment ($5,000) will bear interest for the year at the rate of 6 per cent.
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I should be obliged to you if you would inform me whether we are agreed as regards the foregoing, and, congratulating myself on the happy settlement of the slight difficulties that existed between Haiti and the United States,
I gladly avail myself, etc.,