Minister Combs to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Guatemala and Honduras,
Guatemala, September 21, 1905.
No. 305.]
Sir: I have the honor to report the recent
arrest of an American negro, Charley Macmorley, by mistake for a
Jamaican fugitive wanted for extradition.
Prompt measures were taken in his behalf, but he was already on his way
to this city under guard before I had the information upon which action
could be taken. Immediately upon his arrival here he was released and
presented with 100 pesos by the British charge in behalf of the Jamaican
authorities and with a small sum by himself.
I waived the reimbursement suggested in my note of the 19th instant to
the Guatemalan Government, a copy of which, with other inclosures, is
hereto attached, since the British authorities desired to assume the
expense mentioned.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Minister Combs
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Legation, Guatemala and Honduras,
Guatemala, September 21, 1905.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to inform
your excellency that I am in receipt of a telegram stating that the
negro, Charley Macmorley, arrested at Chichicastenango under the
supposition that he was a Jamaican defaulter, is an American negro
from Alabama, brought here by Mr. Fred. Prescott, the contractor,
years ago as a cook, and that he has been sent forward to this
capital.
I request that I may be informed of his arrival and where he may be
seen. If the facts are as represented to me I am sure your
excellency’s government will recognize the propriety of treating
this man with consideration and supplying him with the means of a
comfortable return to the place of his arrest.
With renewed assurance, etc.,
[Page 531]
[Inclosure 2.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Combs.
Department of State,
Republic of Guatemala, Central
America,
Guatemala, September 19,
1905.
Mr. Minister: In reply to the kind note
your excellency was pleased to address me to-day concerning the
detention in Chichicastenahgo of an American citizen, Charley
Macmorley, in the supposition that he was a criminal from Jamaica, I
have the honor to make known the following: His Britannic Majesty’s
legation having asked, by means of a petition for extradition from
the government of Jamaica, for the capture of a criminal, and
unfortunately the facial description of that individual coincided in
some points with that of Macmorley, hence the mistake. But as soon
as the mistake was discovered Macmorley was put at liberty, as I had
the honor to make known to your excellency by telephone, and even
before the conclusion of the translation of the note I have the
honor to reply to.
Your excellency will be pleased to see the lively desire that
animates my government to avoid every difficulty that may arise with
the citizens of the Republic you so worthily represent out of
consideration for the cordial frank harmony that unites Guatemala
with the United States of America.
I renew, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
Minister Combs
to the British Chargé.
American Legation, Guatemala and Honduras,
Guatemala, September 21, 1905.
Dear Mr. Harrison: The bearer of this is
the American who was arrested by mistake for the Jamaican fugitive
you are seeking. As the proper procedure would have been for the
Jamaican officers to go to Chichicastenango instead of having him
brought here, I think it quite right that they should bear the
expense of his maintenance coming and going. I am therefore pleased
to accept for him your kind offer of 100 pesos for that purpose,
with the distinct understanding, however, that it is a governmental
and not a personal contribution.
Yours, sincerely,
