Office of the Historian

Mr. Hay to Mr. Choate.

Department of State,
Washington, June 25, 1900.
No. 401.]

Sir: I confirm my telegram of the 22d instant with regard to the shipments of Mr. Geldart on the Mashona and Beatrice.

In this connection I inclose for your information copy of his letter on the subject, dated June 20.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Geldart to Mr. Hay.

New York, June 20, 1900.

Your Excellency: In reply to your dispatch of this day, reading as follows, “Ambassador Choate cables let Geldart say what price will make him good on Mashona” I beg to say that my agents have been instructed to close seized shipments on the English Government’s terms if better are unattainable.

At the same time I would recall your excellency’s attention to protests contained in my correspondence of May 1 and 8, respectively, which are hereby repeated.

The amount necessary to cover shipment ex Mashona is $1,000, and on Beatrice $575.

Thanking you for your kind attention, and trusting I may eventually be reimbursed all the expenses attached to shipments in question,

Respectfully,

R. W. Geldart.

P. S.—Actual value of shipment ex Mashona is $792. Add interest nine months, protesting, commission on sale of my agents—5 per cent—cabling, legal advice, bank’s collecting commission, and so forth, and I am sure you will admit that my claim is only fair.

R. W. G.