No. 217.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Bassett.
Washington, May 31, 1872.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatches numbered 125, 126, 127, 128, and 129. It appears from No. 127 that the landing of a howitzer from the United States war-steamer Nantasket at Cape Haytien, on the 19th ultimo, caused considerable excitement at that place, and was the occasion of the correspondence between the minister of foreign affairs and yourself, a copy of which accompanies that dispatch. Your note to the minister, joining in the regret expressed by Captain Carpenter and Consul Goutier that the motive in landing the howitzer should have been misunderstood, and promising to use your best endeavors to the end that a similar occurrence may not again arise, is approved.
I am, &c.,