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.,
[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.
[Page 550]
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.,
[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.,
[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,
[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,
[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.
[Page 551]
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.
