Mr. Squiers to Mr. Hay.

No. 7.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose to you a copy of a translation of a resolution passed by certain citizens of high standing of the province of Matanzas on the occasion of the transfer of the Government by the United States to Cuba.

I have, etc.,

H. G. Squiers.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

Resolution.

In the city of Matanzas, island of Cuba, at 12 o’clock on the 20th day of May, 1902, assembled in the consistory house, Mr. Juan Carbo, collector of the customs in Matanzas and captain of the port, the mayor of the city, Mr. Domingo Lecuona y Madan, the town council, the secretary of the civil governor, chief clerk for the civil governor, Mr. Bonifacio Byrne, the consular body, the president and magistrates of the audience court, the provincial council, the municipal judges, the judges of instruction, the presidents of and committees from all societies, associations, trades unions, and [Page 351] the general public, the notary for the occasion being Mr. Manuel del Portillo, secretary of the town council, proceeded to lower the American flag from the place it occupied on the building used by the consistory.

Mr. Lecuona, mayor of the city, caused the flag to descend, and during the lowering two little girls showered flowers on it, the flag being finally received on a silver platter, entirely covered with flowers, while the immense multitude broke into cheers for the United States and the band of the benemerito body of firemen played the American national hymn.

The flag referred to was carried with all signs of respect to the council chamber of the town council and placed on the table of the presiding officer, where it was delivered by the mayor of the city to Mr. Juan Carbo, collector of customs for Matanzas and captain of that port, accompanying the delivery with feeling expressions of gratitude and affection for the American people and warm congratulations to the honorable President Roosevelt, especially charging that the aforesaid expressions come to the knowledge of those to whom they correspond.

Upon receiving the flag Mr. Carbo delivered it into the custody of the civil governor of the province with the same formalities as those with which he had received it, and the flag was deposited in that headquarters.

And in order that it may be known at all times, three resolutions are passed, all of the same tenor, one for transmission to the American governor, the second for the archives of the town council, and the other to be delivered to Mr. Juan Carbo, collector of customs for Matanzas and captain of the port, in testimony of the act accomplished by him, to be authorized and subscribed to by the mayor of the municipality, Dr. Domingo Lecuona y Madan; Mr. Juan Carbo, collector of customs and captain of the port of Matanzas, and the secretary in charge of the office of the civil governor, Mr. Bonifacio Byrne. Before me, the secretary of the town council. To which I certify.

  • D. Lecuona.
  • Bonifacio Byrne.
  • Juan Carbo.
  • Manuel del Portillo.