No. 388.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Valera.
Washington, May 17, 1884.
Sir: Referring to my note to you of yesterday’s date, concerning the reports of intended mob-violence against the Spanish consul at Key West on the part of Cubans resident there, I have now the honor to inform you that careful investigation by the naval and civil authorities there affords the gratifying assurance that the report is exaggerated. The rumor would appear to have originated in a threat, uttered in a grog-shop on Thursday night, to tar and feather the consul, but this idle and probably drunken menace appears to have passed without any result whatever.
Nevertheless, the commander of the Galena at Key West has renewed to the Spanish consul the offer made to him last week to place a guard of marines to guard the consulate, residence, and person of the consul. The consul, however, declines a guard, but expresses fear of assassination. Arrangements have been made by which he can summon assistance from the naval vessels by signal at any hour.
The most adequate precaution against the personal attempts which the consul would seem to apprehend appears to lie in the protective guard which he has declined. This Government cannot, of course, undertake to place a foreign officer under military surveillance of any kind without his consent or the consent of his Government, and I have accordingly the honor to request that you will advise me whether it is your wish that the consul should be personally guarded. If this be desired this Government will endeavor to do so.
Accept, &c.,