Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1880

No. 448.
Mr. Smyth to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
Monrovia, Nov. 22, 1880. (Received Jan. 3, 1881.)

No. 90.]

Sir: I have the honor to advise you of the fact of the desire of the Pope of Rome to be represented in Liberia.

Some time since a communication was received at the foreign office from the Pope, in which he requested of this government the privilege of sending a legate to reside near the republic.

His Holiness has been replied to and the request granted.

The constitution of Liberia as to religion is liberal, although the people are Protestants and heathen, and the former are not more liberal toward Catholicism than Protestants elsewhere.

I am, &c.,

JNO. H. SMYTH.