Ambassador Reid to the Secretary of State.

No. 849.]

Sir: With reference to my cable of the 1st instant1 respecting the affairs of Liberia, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the note from foreign office of the 27th ultimo upon which the same was based.

It will be seen that His Majesty’s Government are much gratified to learn of the instructions which have been telegraphed to Mr. Lyon and of the approaching dispatch of the commission to Monrovia. They are convinced that the action which our Government propose to take will be productive of good results.

Sir Edward Grey also states that the British consul general at Monrovia has been instructed to give the commission any information in his power and to advise British subjects in the service of the Liberian Government who are not in the employment or under the control of the British Government to do the same if the commission desire it, and generally to afford any help they can in facilitating its inquiry.

A note has been addressed by Sir Edward Grey to the French Government also, proposing that they should join His Majesty’s Government in making joint representations at Monrovia.

I have, etc.,

Whitelaw Reid.
[Inclosure.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Reid.

Your Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 20th instant respecting the affairs of Liberia and to express to your excellency my thanks for that communication.

His Majesty’s Government are much gratified to learn of the instructions which have been telegraphed to Mr. Lyon, and of the approaching dispatch of a commission to Monrovia, and they are convinced that the action which the United States Government propose to take will be productive of useful results.

His Majesty’s consul general at Monrovia has been instructed, in accordance with the promise contained in my note of the 4th instant, to give the American commission any information in his power, and to advise British subjects in the service of the Liberian Government who are not in the employment or under the control of His Majesty’s Government to do the same if the commission desire it, and generally to afford any help they can in facilitating its inquiry.

Upon receipt of your note under reply I addressed a note to the French Government, proposing that they should join His Majesty’s Government in making joint representations at Monrovia.

I have, etc.,

(For
Sir Edward Grey
:)
W. Langley.
  1. Not printed.