Office of the Historian

File No. 7622/2–4.

Minister Morgan to the Secretary of State.

American Legation,
Habana, July 29, 1907.
No. 486.]

Sir: In the department’s No. 143, of the 18th instant (file No. 7622/1), with which was inclosed copy of a letter from Mr. F. W. [Page 297] Bacot, of Charleston, S. C., the legation was instructed to ascertain the value of a Cuban bond dated June 1, 1869, for the payment of which was pledged “the honor and faith of the people of Cuba in the name of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, President of the Republic.” I have now the honor to inclose copy in translation of a note received from the Cuban foreign office, in which it is stated that the bond in question has no value whatsoever. Transitory Rule No. 1, under Title XIV, amendments to the constitution, states:

The Republic of Cuba does not recognize any other debts and obligations than those legitimately contracted in behalf of the revolution by the corps commanders of the liberating army subsequent to the 24th day of February, 1895, and prior to the 19th day of September of the same year, the date on which the Jimaguayu constitution was promulgated, and such debts and obligations as the revolutionary government may have contracted subsequently, either by itself or through its legitimate representatives in foreign countries. Congress shall classify said debts and obligations and decide as to the payment of those that may be legitimate.

I have, etc.,

Edwin V. Morgan.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs to Minister Morgan.

Republic of Cuba, Department of State,
Habana, July 25, 1907.
No. 599.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your note, No. 183, of the 23d instant, in which you inclose copy in Spanish and English of a Cuban bond dated June 1, 1869, of which you desire information as to its face value and interest.

In reply, I have the honor to inform your excellency that regarding the said bond the Republic of Cuba can assume no responsibility, since it is provided in the first of the transitory rules of the constitution that—

“The Republic of Cuba does not recognize any other debts and obligations than those legitimately contracted in behalf of the revolution by the corps commanders of the liberating army subsequent to the 24th day of February, 1895, and prior to the 19th day of September of the same year, the date on which the Jimaguayu constitution was promulgated, and such debts and obligations as the revolutionary government may have contracted subsequently, either by itself or through its legitimate representatives in foreign countries. Congress shall classify said debts and obligations and decide as to the payment of those that may be legitimate.”

I avail, etc.,

Justo Garcia Velez,
Acting Head of the Department of State.