Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.

No. 552, Santo Domingo series.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose to the Department the correspondence that has passed between this legation and the Dominican foreign office on the subject of recognition.

I am, etc.,

W. F. Powell.
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]

Mr. Despradele to Mr. Powell.

Mr. Chargé d’affaires: By virtue of the political events that have occurred from the 23d of March last, and as a consequence of the triumph obtained by the revolutionary movement that has spread over nearly the whole of the Republic, uniting the public opinion in its favor, the provisional government, founded since the 1st of May, 1902, has ceased to direct the public administration of the Dominican State; and as this can not remain stationary permanently without serious prejudice to the general interest, it has been decided to proceed to the organization of a new provisional [Page 394] government, which by its guarantee and care may regulate, give legal form to the revolutionary movement which has been initiated, and direct and complete the national will.

The provisional government formed by the triumphant revolution holds the unalterable intention, and has thus agreed to say to you through the channel of the undersigned, to maintain above all with the most perfect cordiality the friendly relations and the mutual interests that exist happily between the Dominican Republic and the country that you so worthily represent in Santo Domingo.

It is very pleasing to the undersigned, called to the office of minister of foreign relations, to bring to your knowledge the above, also to be pleased to have the hope that, inspired with the high intentions of the provisional government, you will not refuse your valuable cooperation to make most easy and agreeable the task that it has imposed on itself.

In that which regards the department of foreign relations, the undersigned can assure you that he will maintain the policy of the provisional government, observing with preeminent attention and courtesy the official relations that he holds to be his duty to initiate from the present with the honorable foreign representatives accredited in this capital, and particularly with you, to whom I offer the highest and most distinguished consideration and respect.

Your obedient servant,

Fidelio Despradele.
[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. Powell to Mr. Despradele.

Sir: In response to your excellency’s courteous note, it gives me pleasure to state to you that my Government recognizes a de facto government when it has the support and popular approval of its citizens. Such seeming to be the case, as your excellency informs me, and that peace prevails throughout the Republic, a fact which I am pleased to know, and which I trust, through the wide experience of His Excellency, obtained in fulfilling the functions of this office in the past, that this peace will be maintained for many years to come, and that a bright and happy future awaits the Republic.

In making known to your excellency the sentiments of my Government for the future prosperity of the Dominican Republic and its people, my Government expresses its belief to your excellency that the present Dominican Government will not only recognize, but will also carry into execution within the briefest time possible, those acts and agreements recently consummated by the late government of which General Vasquez was the provisional president, and which greatly affects the interests of certain American citizens.

Permit me, sir, to personally express to your excellency the hope that the happy relations that have have always existed between the department of foreign relations of your excellency’s Government and this legation will continue in the future as they have in the past.

Accept, etc.,

W. F. Powell.