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and held public meetings, appealing to public opinion and invoking aid for their cause."

On May 21, 1900, the Senate by a vote of 36 to 21 adopted a motion to lay on the table a resolution to extend the privileges of the floor to the delegates as commissioners of the South African Republics. On the 29th of May the same body, by a vote of 40 to 26, decided to refer to the Committee on Foreign Relations a resolution of sympathy with those Republics.

and Greece.

"As a crisis is approaching which must produce great changes in the situation of Spanish America, and may dissolve Special agents; to altogether its colonial relations to Europe, and as the South America geographical position of the United States, and other obvious considerations, give them an intimate interest in whatever may affect the destiny of that part of the American continent, it is our duty to turn our attention to this important subject, and to take such steps, not incompatible with the neutral character and honest policy of the United States, as the occasion renders proper. With this view you have been selected to proceed, without delay, to Buenos Ayres. You will make it your object, wherever it may be proper, to diffuse the impression that the United States cherish the sincerest good will towards the people of Spanish America as neighbors, as belonging to the same portion of the globe, and as having a mutual interest in cultivating friendly intercourse; that this disposition will exist, whatever may be their internal system or European relation, with respect to which no interference of any sort is pretended, and that, in the event of a separation from the parent country, and of the establishment of an independent system of national government, it will coincide with the sentiments and policy of the United States to promote the most friendly relations, and the most liberal intercourse, between the inhabitants of this hemisphere, as having all a common interest, and as lying under a common obligation to maintain that system of peace, justice and good will, which is the only source of happiness for nations.

"Whilst you inculcate these as the principles and dispositions of the United States, it will be no less proper to ascertain those on the

a "Messrs. Wessels and Wolmarans to-day visited Mr. Roosevelt in order to pay their respects to him and to bid him farewell.

"In an interview to-day the Boer delegates said that they desired particularly to make it known that they neither asked, desired, nor expected intervention from any country. What they wanted, and what they had laid before the American Government, was a request that civilized warfare might be assured in South Africa. They had not suggested any plan for assuring it. They declared, in conclusion, that Mr. Kruger was not seeking intervention in Europe." (London Times, weekly, March 14, 1902, p. 162, col. 4.)

.

See, as to the request of the South African Republics for the intervention of the United States, and the communication of the request to the British Government, S. Doc. 222, 56 Cong. 1 sess. See, also, S. Doc. 113, 56 Cong. 1 sess.; H. Doc. 618, 56 Cong. 1 sess.

other side, not only towards the United States, but in reference to the great nations of Europe, and to the commercial and other connections with them, respectively; and, generally, to inquire into the state, the characteristics, and the proportions, as to numbers, intelligence, and wealth of the several parties, the amount of population, the extent and organization of the military force, and the pecuniary resources of the country.

"The real as well as ostensible object of your mission is to explain the mutual advantages of commerce with the United States, to promote liberal and stable regulations, and to transmit seasonable information on the subject. In order that you may render the more service in this respect, and that you may, at the same time, enjoy the greater protection and respectability, you will be furnished with a credential letter, such as is held by sundry agents of the United States in the West Indies, and as was lately held by one at the Havana, and under the sanction of which you will give the requisite attention to commercial objects."

Mr. Monroe, Sec. of State, to Mr. Joel Poinsett, agent to Buenos Ayres, June 28, 1810, H. Rep. 72, 20 Cong. 2 sess.; Br. and For. State Papers (18121814), II. 1219.

May 14, 1812, a copy of these instructions was communicated to Mr. Alexander
Scott, who was sent as agent to Caracas. Mr. Scott was also advised that
the fact that the Venezuelan provinces had declared their independence
formed an essential difference between their situation and that of the
other Spanish provinces in America, but that until their independence
was "more formally acknowledged by the United States” it could not
materially affect his duties. His credentials were the same as those of
Mr. Poinsett. He was to inquire particularly as to the disposition and
ability of the Venezuelan people to maintain their independence. "Noth-
ing would be more absurd," declared his instructions, "than for the United
States to acknowledge their independence, in form, until it was evident
that the people themselves were resolved and able to support it." Mean-
while a friendly communication was to be preserved; and the ministers of
the United States at London, Paris, and St. Petersburg had been instructed
to make known to those courts that their Government took an interest in
the independence of the Spanish provinces. (See, for the full text of the
instructions, which are signed by Mr. Monroe, as Secretary of State, May
14, 1812, Br. and For. State Papers (1812-1814), II. 1220–1222.)
Instructions similar to those given to Mr. Poinsett and Mr. Scott, were given
by Mr. Clay, as Secretary of State, Sept. 6, 1825, to Mr. William C. Somer-
ville, as agent to Greece. (MS. Inst. Special Missions, I. 31.)

"Mr. Michael Hogan was appointed agent for commerce and seamen of the
United States at Valparaiso on the 11th Nov., 1820, and till the arrival of
Mr. Allen [the first minister of the United States to Chile, appointed Jan.
27, 1823] he performed the duties generally appertaining to a diplomatic
agency on the part of this Government, in Chile, from the necessity of
the case, but without any special authority or instructions to that
effect. *
* In the cases of Mr. John B. Prevost, Wm. Tudor, John M.
Forbes, and others, who received the same appointments as Michael Hogan,
as agents of commerce and seamen, before regular diplomatic intercourse
was established between the United States and the South American states,

*

these gentlemen received salaries from two thousand to four thousand five hundred dollars per annum each." (Mr. Livingston, Sec. of State, to Mr. Wayne, Feb. 25, 1833, 25 MS. Dom. Let. 258 )

“In 1823 consuls were appointed by Great Britain to the South American republics, and the various governments were informed that the appointments had been made for the protection of British subjects and for the acquisition of information which might lead to the establishment of friendly relations. The various consuls took up their appointments and acted, but were not gazetted. The earliest recognition [by Great Britain] took place in 1825." (Hall, Int. Law, 94.)

In 1816, when the acknowledgment of the independence of the South American colonies was under consideration, Mr. Monroe sent three commissioners, Cæsar A. Rodney, Theoderick Bland, and John Gra- . ham, in a ship-of-war, to visit the several colonies, inquire into the condition of things in respect to the probability of endurance of successful hostilities, and then report. These commissioners were not nominated to the Senate, though that body was in session when they sailed, but went exclusively. on the President's nomination. Their expenses were not paid out of the contingent fund, but were met by a subsequent appropriation of $30,000 by Congress.

Schouler, Hist. of the United States, III. 28; President Monroe's First Annual Message, 1817; Mr. Adams, Sec. of State, to Mr. Hyde de Neuville, July 27, 1818, MS. Notes, For. Leg.; Am. State Papers, For. Rel. IV. 217–323. ،، Your letter of the 3d. instant has been submitted to the consideration of the President of the United States, by whose Hayti. direction I have the honor of stating that the measure solicited in the memorial to which you refer cannot be adopted in the manner proposed, on the part of the Executive Administration without inconvenience to the public interest. 'Letters of Credence to the 'authorities of the Island of Hayti, with the address now many years 'assumed by them,' you are aware would be an explicit acknowledgment of those authorities, and if the example of the British Government formed a rule of authority for that of the United States, it is believed that no such letters of Credence have ever been issued by them.

"It is truly stated by the memorialists that at two different periods during the Life of Christophe, agents were dispatched by the Government of the United States, with a view to obtain justice, and if possible, indemnity for these injuries, but without success. A special agent was also sent after the fall of Christophe, to claim indemnity from the present existing rulers of the island, but with no more favorable result. A copy of the Instructions to this agent, so far as they relate to the claim of the Memorialists is herewith enclosed, together with his report of the execution of his agency, and the papers accompanying the same, which I request you to have the goodness after perusal to return to this Department. The President is however willing to order Commodore Porter to Hayti, and to instruct him to obtain an interview with the Chief of the Island or with his Secretary of State, and to urge the

payment of such sum, as will make adequate indemnity to our citizens for the property which was unjustly taken from them by that Government under the sway of Christophe. The Commodore may take with him a suitable person, possessing the confidence of the parties interested, and who in case the indemnity is not promptly made, may be authorized by him, to pursue the claims in his absence. The Commodore will in such event, be instructed to present such person to the Chief of the Island, or other proper authority, with an intimation that he will be left there for the purpose specified.

"It is also suggested by the President that if it should suit the views of the claimants, the present commercial agent of the United States at Port au Prince may be instructed to present their claims again to the consideration of the President Boyer."

Mr. Adams, Sec. of State, to Messrs. Samuel Smith and James Lloyd U. S. Senate, Feb. 24, 1824, 20 MS. Dom. Let. 300. The papers referred to in the foregoing letter were: 1. Copy of instructions to the agent, being an extract of a letter from Mr. Adams to Mr. Edw. Wyer, Jan. 30, 1821; 2. Mr. E. Wyer to Mr. Adams, April 10, 1821; 3. Extrait des Archives publiques, 2 papers, A. & B.; 4. Mr. Boyer to Mr. Wyer (C) March 17, 1821; 5. Same to same, same date; 6. Petition of J. B. Davis and others. See Adams' Memoirs, VI. 12; Br. & For. State Papers, 1812-1814, II. 1053, 1060, 1065.

Hayti was not recognized till 1862.

In February, 1845, the President sent a commissioner or special agent to Santo Domingo to inquire concerning its Santo Domingo. political condition. A special agent was again sent to the island in 1851 to act with representatives of France and Great Britain in an effort to bring about a peace between Hayti and the Dominican Republic. The latter Government was not recognized till

1866.

Paraguay.

June 10, 1845, Mr. Edward A. Hopkins was appointed special agent to Paraguay to cultivate friendly relations with the country and obtain "the information necessary to enable the President and Congress to decide whether its independence ought to be recognized by the United States." He" was not furnished with any letter of credence to the minister for foreign affairs of Paraguay, nor with any power whatever, to negotiate or act in a diplomatic character." March 30, 1846, he was "peremptorily recalled," on its being discovered that he had "violated his instructions by representing himself to the President of Paraguay as invested with a diplomatic character, by committing the President and Congress of the United States to him in favor of recognizing the independence of that country, and by offering the mediation of the United States between the Government of Paraguay and Buenos Ayres."

Mr. Buchanan, Sec. of State, to Gen. Alvear, Aug. 14, 1846, MS. notes, Argentine Leg. VI. 19.

Mr. Mann's mission to Hungary.

June 18, 1849, Mr. Clayton, as Secretary of State, issued to Mr. A. Dudley Mann, who was then in Europe, instructions in relation to a mission which he was desired to undertake as a special and confidential agent to Hungary. The "principal object" of his mission, said the instructions, was "to obtain minute and reliable information in regard Objects: (1) inquiry; to Hungary, in connection with the affairs of adjoining (2) contingently, countries, the probable issue of the present revolurecognition. tionary movements, and the chances we may have of forming commercial arrangements with that power, favorable to the United States." In the "desperate conflict" between Austria and Hungary, Russia had "chosen to assume an attitude of interference." If it should appear that Hungary was "able to maintain" the independence which she had declared, the United States desired "to be the very first to congratulate her, and to hail, with a hearty welcome, her entrance into the family of nations." The prospect, however, seemed to be "a gloomy one;" and Mr. Mann was authorized, if he also should think this to be the case, to suspend his operations and even to omit to visit Hungary. The "delicate and important duties" with which he was charged were left, it was said, "almost wholly" to his own "discretion and prudence." He was to decide upon his own "movements and places of destination," the "particular points" as to which he would make inquiries, the "proper mode of approaching M. Kossuth and his confidential advisers," and the "communications" which he might "deem it proper" to make to them, on the part of his Government. Future instructions would to a great extent depend upon his reports. Meanwhile, he was furnished with a sealed letter," introducing him, in his "official character," to the "minister of foreign affairs of Hungary," and with an "open copy," which he was to deliver or to withhold, as circumstances might cause him to think "proper and expedient." In conclusion, the instructions said: "You will furnish the Department with a copy of the new constitution, if any shall have been formed, of Hungary, and acquaint us with its operation; and whether any, and what other nations shall have recognized the independence of Hungary, or intend to do so. Should the new government prove to be, in your opinion, firm and stable, the President will cheerfully recommend to Congress, at their next session, the recognition of Hungary; and you might intimate, if you should see fit, that the President would, in that event, be gratified to receive a diplomatic agent from Hungary in the United States, by or before. the next meeting of Congress; and that he entertains no doubt whatever that, in case her government should prove to be firm and stable, her independence would be speedily recognized by that enlightened body."

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