Office of the Historian
No. 341.

Mr. Langston to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Legation of the United States,
Port-au-Prince, Hayti, December 4, 1884. (Received Dec. 24.)
No. 692.]

Sir: After doing all I have found it convenient and practicable to undertake on behalf of Mr. C. A. Van Bokkelen, who is still held in confinement at the hospital in this city, before addressing the Government directly and in protest both as regards his arrest and protracted and illegal detention without definite and positive result, I have deemed it proper today, after making the efforts indicated, including conferences with Mr. B. St. Victor and the honorable attorney-general, Mr. Pierre, in obedience to your instructions in that behalf, to bring the matter to the attention of the Government in my dispatch, a copy of which is herewith transmitted to you.

It will be perceived that in my dispatch I bring the fact of Mr. Van Bokkelen’s long detention, his feeble and failing health, as well as his illegal arrest in the first instance, and his confinement in contravention of the law and usages of this country under the treaty existing between Hayti and the United States and those of every civilized state of the world, against which I protest, to the attention of this Government, and ask that the case may command its immediate consideration.

I am, &c.,

JOHN MERCER LANGSTON.
[Page 478]
[Inclosure in No. 692.]

Mr. Langston to Mr. St. Victor.

Legation of the United States,
Port-au-Prince, Hayti, December 4, 1884.

Sir: Referring to conversation heretofore had with you with regard to the confinement of Mr. C. A. Van Bokkelen, a citizen of the United States, in the jail and hospital of this city for quite a year, awaiting, as it is pretended by those having authority, the action of your courts with reference to the decision as to his right by law, under the treaty existing between the Governments of Hayti and the United States, to make assignment of his property, personal or other, in the interest of his creditors, I have the honor to protest against his further detention, especially as he is in feeble and failing health, and neither his arrest, in the first instance, nor his confinement, accords with the law and usages of this country nor those of any civilized state of the world.

I bring this subject to the attention of your Government, Mr. Minister, in obedience to the special instructions of my own Government, and would respectfully but earnestly ask its immediate consideration.

I am, &c.,

JOHN MERCER LANGSTON.