Mr. Choate to Mr.
Hay.
American Embassy,
London, March 3,
1900.
No. 268.]Sir: I have the honor to report that on the 1st
instant I received your Instruction No. 308, dated February 19, with its
inclosures, and having reason to believe that the foreign office was now
desirous of
[Page 602]
disposing of the
ease of the Pennsylvania Milling and Export Company, I immediately
addressed to Lord Salisbury a note dated the 1st instant—of which I
annex a copy—and inclosed in it a copy of President Toomey’s letter to
yourself, dated February 12, and also copies of Mr. Toomey’s affidavits,
which accompanied the duplicate sets of the company’s bills of lading
and invoices. It appeared to me that the president’s letter cleared up
the doubts arising from the previous documents, including the bills of
lading and invoices, and that the British Government, if actually
disposed to close the matter, were entitled, before doing so, to all the
evidence which was in our possession. I inferred, also, from your
reference to the matter in your Instructions No. 290 and from President
Toomey’s letter that the Pennsylvania Company would be prepared to make
complete title to a purchaser of the goods seized.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Choate to
Lord Salisbury.
American Embassy,
London, March 1,
1900.
My Lord: I have the honor to transmit to
your lordship a copy of a letter dated February 12 from the
president of the Pennsylvania Milling and Export Company, also
copies of three affidavits by the same gentleman explanatory of that
company’s bills of lading and invoices by the Mashona, Maria, and Beatrice,
already sent you by me.
This letter of the president of the company will, I think, be found
to clear up much that was left doubtful by the previous papers. It
shows the entirely innocent and legitimate character of all their
shipments, and declares “that the original documents to establish
their complete title to the shipments seized—though now delayed in
the mails—will speedily be in their hands.
I have inferred from your note of the 9th ultimo, and from your
subsequent references to the matter in our personal interviews, that
Her Majesty’s Government is ready to purchase the flour.
May I not therefore ask that after an examination of the papers now
submitted, in connection with those relating to the same shipments
heretofore sent you, you will authorize me to report by cable to the
Secretary of State that your Government will purchase these
particular lots shipped on these vessels by the Pennsylvania Milling
and Export Company, and on what terms as to price, date of payment
and vouchers. I have every reason to believe that his reply would be
prompt and enable us to dispose finally of the matter of this
company’s shipments.
I have, etc.,
