Mr. Hay to Mr. Choate.
Washington, January 2, 1900.
Sir: I inclose herewith copies of letters1 from R. W. Geldart, Norton & Sons, and Hopkins & Hopkins, and of invoices thereto attached, in relation to the seizure of the goods mentioned by the British naval authorities.
You will bring the matter to the attention of the British Government, in connection with the subject of other seizures, in relation to which you have already been instructed, and you will ascertain and report to the Department the grounds of the seizure, and you will represent the view of this Government that unless it can be shown that the goods were contraband it does not regard them as subject to capture under the circumstances represented, and in that event you will request their prompt restitution.
I am, etc.,
- Printed ante.↩