Minister Powell to the Secretary of State.

No. 1652.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a claim that has been handed to us to present to this government, requesting that we use our good offices to insure its payment.

The claim is presented to us by Mr. J. R. Paradis, a native of Porto Rico and now a resident of Port de Paix, in the drug business in that city.

The claim represents a bond of $5,000 issued by the government to a Mr. Massimi for a debt due him by this government, and became due January 30, 1896. This party gave the above-named bond to Mr. Paradis for money owed by the former to the latter.

When the bond was presented by Mr. Paradis to the National Bank of Haiti for payment, a Mr. Altieri, another creditor of Massimi, served a notice upon the bank not to pay the bond, claiming that the same represented money that was due to him (Altieri). Upon receiving this notice the bank refused payment.

The government was appealed to, but refused to act. The matter was carried to the courts. In two the decision was against Mr. Paradis. It was taken to the highest court, and the latter delivered a decision stating that Mr. Paradis was the rightful holder of the bond and that the government was responsible for its payment. Still the bank refuses, and the government, it is stated, will not give the necessary instructions to the bank in order that the amount stated on the face of the bond shall be paid.

Mr. Paradis, unable to secure payment, appeals to our government to aid him in securing the money due to him. * * *

I have, etc.,

W. F. Powell.