Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.

No. 726, Santo Domingo Series.]

Sir: I have the honor to state to the Department that on the 20th of this month, as I have previously advised, I formally recognized the government of which Gen. Carlos F. Morales L. is the provisional president as being the de facto government.

I also cabled to the Department on the 20th of the month of my action, and to our consuls in the Republic, and the commandants of the naval vessels in these waters (Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata), On the same day I informed my colleagues of the diplomatic corps and the members of the consular corps of my action.

On the next day Captain Miller and officers of the U. S. S. Columbia made an official call upon the President. The minister of foreign relations and the minister of war, representing the President, were to call on the next day, but were prevented by the Columbia having to leave suddenly for Macoris. As the Columbia is now here, the contemplated visit will be made to-morrow (26th).

The French charge informs me that his Government has instructed him by cable to recognize the present government, and that he would now do so.

I have the honor to inclose the correspondence upon this matter.

I have, etc.,

W. F. Powell.
[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. Powell to Mr. Roman.

Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency that the Government of the United States of North America, through its representative accredited to this Republic, recognizes the Government, of which Gen. Carlos F. Morales is the provisional president, and in view that the said Government is in possession [Page 267] of the capital of the Republic, the archives, the great seal of state, the arsenals, and the principal ports of the Dominican Republic, as being the de facto government of the Republic.

Allow me, etc.,

W. F. Powell.
[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]

Mr. Roman to Mr. Powell.

Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I have the honor to answer the very attentive and satisfactory note of your excellency that you have been so kind to remit, on the date of the 19th of the present month, to bring to the knowledge of the provisional government of General Morales that the Government of the United States of North America, through its representative accredited to this Republic, recognizes that the Government of which Gen. Carlos F. Morales is the provisional president, in view of being in possession of the capital of the Republic, of the archives, of the great seal of the state, of the arsenals, and of the principal ports of the Dominican Republic, is the de facto government of the Republic.

The present Government, presided over by Mr. Morales, can not be less than highly grateful to that of the United States of America and to your excellency, that so worthily represents it in this capital, for the act of recognition of which it has received notification, and by which it is capacitated to realize its purpose of affirming and welding the chains of friendship that unite it with the great Republic of North America.

Please accept, etc.,

José R. Perez Roman.