Mr. Adee to Baron de Fava.
Washington, September 21, 1899.
Excellency: I duly received your telegram this morning. Of course you understand that, in the actual status of the matter and in the absence of Federal jurisdiction over an offense committed in a State, the agent whom we are to send to Tallulah can not assert any part in the local administration of justice, but is sent to collect information for the Department’s consideration and such action thereon as may be in order. His functions will be the same as that of Mr. W. H. Phillips, who, as you remember, was sent to Hahnville a few years ago under somewhat similar circumstances.
I am, etc.,