Mr. Hay to Mr. Choate.
Washington, January 6, 1900.
President Pennsylvania Milling Company files his personal affidavit with Department that said company has been several years engaged in sale of flour to Cape Colony, Natal, South African Republic, and Lourenço Marquez, and never sold or shipped flour with direct or ulterior destination to South African Republic by resale or otherwise; that all sales and shipments were made for ordinary uses of life; that since war broke out company made no sales flour to merchants or others in South African Republic; that said company sold, May 20, 1899, 2,000 bags flour branded “Speria,” and June 10, 1,512 bags flour branded “Goldfields,” all shipped on Dutch steamer Maria, leaving New York about August 15, destined Delagoa Bay, freight prepaid by said company and reported to be landed under orders British Government at Port Natal and now in custom-house; that said company sold, June 10, 1,356 bags flour branded “Goldfields,” and July 30, 4,359 bags flour branded “Johannesburg,” all consigned Delagoa Bay, British steamer Beatrice, leaving New York about October 12, freight prepaid and reported discharged into lighters East London under orders British Government; and sold, July 20, 3, 154 bags flour branded “Johannesburg,” consigned Delagoa Bay, British steamer Mashona, leaving New York about October 30, freight prepaid, and informed said flour discharged at Cape Town under orders commander British gunboat Partridge.
This Government confidently expects decision of these questions, now under consideration British Government, in accordance with liberal and enlightened principles of justice.
It is also represented by the president of the milling company that unless properly cared for flour soon spoils in the climate of southern Africa. Payment by Great Britain for the flour at its value at Delagoa Bay at the time it would have arrived in due course of voyage if uninterrupted would be satisfactory to the company.
Bring matter to attention of Lord Salisbury in sense above indicated.