Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1906, (In two parts), Part I

Minister Dawson to the Secretary of State.

American Legation,
Santo Domingo, February 2, 1906.

No. 210.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose to you a copy and translation of a note from the French Chargé d’affaires expressing his Government’s and his own appreciation and gratitude for the assistance given French citizens during the recent revolutionary disturbances at Sanchez by the commanders of the U. S. S. Eagle and Paducah and the acting American consular agent.

The Chargé d’affaires asks that these thanks be transmitted to these officers. I have accordingly sent a copy of his note to the acting consular agent and informed him that his thanks will be conveyed to the naval officers through the usual channels.

Copies of my reply to him and of my letters to Mr. Leroux are inclosed.

I have also received report from Mr. Leroux describing the revolutionary disturbances, a copy of which will be sent you with my No. 211 of this date. In it he says:

In concluding this account I must express to you, and through you to the State Department, my profound appreciation of the efficient aid rendered throughout all the trying days of this month by all the vessels, crews, and officers of the United States Navy stationed here, but more especially to the senior officer present in Samana Bay and his good ship Paducah, without whom my efforts at maintaining American dignity and the efforts of the consuls to procure peace would have been futile.

In another letter (copy inclosed) he praises very highly the kindness of Passed Asst. Surg. Charles H. De Lancy, U. S. Navy, in attending the wounded.

I have, etc.,

T. C. Dawson.

[Inclosure 1—Translation.]

The French chargé to Minister Dawson.

French Legation,
Santo Domingo, January 28, 1906.

Mr. Minister: I have received from the consular agent of France at Sanchez an account of the revolutionary troubles which took place in that locality from the 5th to the 12th of January, 1906.

He tells me of the efficient aid and support which my fellow-citizens obtained from the commander of the Eagle and of the Paducah, as well as from Mr. Henry Leroux, who was in temporary charge of the consular agency of the United States.

In bringing these facts to your knowledge I would be obliged if you would transmit to the interested persons the very warm thanks of my Government, my compatriots, and myself for the good offices of which my fellow-citizens were the beneficiaries in those critical circumstances.

Please accept, etc.,

(Signed)

H. Flandrin.

[Inclosure 2.]

Minister Dawson to the French chargé.

American Legation.
Santo Domingo, January 29, 1906.

Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I take real pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your polite note of yesterday, in which you so kindly refer to the aid which the commanders of the U. S. S. Eagle and Paducah and the acting American consular agent were fortunate enough to be able to give French citizens during the recent revolutionary disturbances at Sanchez.

I have sent a copy of your note to my Government in order that your thanks may be transmitted to the American commanders through the regular channels, and also sent another copy to Mr. Leroux.

I improve the opportunity to have the pleasure of offering to you, etc.,

T. C. Dawson.

[Inclosure 3.]

Minister Dawson to Consular Agent Leroux.

American Legation,
Santo Domingo, January 29, 1906.

Sir: I take pleasure in transmitting a copy of a note of thanks for your kind offices to French citizens given during the recent revolutionary disturbances at Sanchez.

The State Department will be, as I am, gratified that you were able to be of this service to our French friends, and I heartily commend your action.

Yours, respectfully,

T. C. Dawson.

[Inclosure 4.]

Minister Dawson to Consular Agent Leroux.

American Legation,
Santo Domingo, January 28, 1906.

Sir: I am in receipt of your two letters of January 26, copies of which I will send the Department of State. Your expressions of appreciation in regard to the action of the naval officers will be transmitted to them through the regular channels.

I heartily approve of what you did at Sanchez for the protection of American lives and interests, and have no doubt the department will also appreciate your work when I have the pleasure of reporting it.

Yours, respectfully,

T. C. Dawson.

[Inclosure 5.]

Mr. Leroux to Minister Dawson.

American Consular Agency,
Sanchez, Dominican Republic, January 26, 1906.

Sir: I have the honor to invite your special attention and through you that of the State Department to the efficient services rendered the sick and wounded during this month both here and at the camp of the insurgent general, Joaquin Barba, at Arroyo Higuero.

These services by the consent and order of Commander A. G. Winterhalter, U. S. Navy, senior officer present in Sarnana Bay, and commanding the U. S. S. Paducah, were performed night and day with unceasing fidelity and vigilance by Passed Asst. Surg. Charles H. De Lancy, U. S. Navy. I believe I am expressing the feeling of every man, woman, and child in Sanchez in saying that his kindness and tender care of their unfortunate ones will never be forgotten, while all who are capable of judging are united in admiration of his professional skill and knowledge. If this slight tribute can be brought to the notice of the Navy Department and should result in any deserved recognition, it will be a source of fervent gratitude among the people among whom he has labored so successfully in the cause of humanity.

Very respectfully,

(Signed)

J. Enrique Leroux,
Acting American Consular Agent.