Mr. Langston to Mr. Bayard.
Port-au-Prince, Hayti, May 28, 1885. (Received June 12.)
Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 350, having reference to the case of Mr. A. C. d’Almena, I have the honor to advise you that his case is now being heard with those of others charged in like manner with him, and like him confined in the common jail in this city, in the court of cassation, the supreme court of the country, upon the insufficiency of the ordinance, or indictment, which has been presented by the judge of instruction and the chamber of council, as containing the facts found against him. The case has been in hearing for the past fifteen days. Five elaborate arguments have already been presented. Two more are to follow; and the general impression is now that the ordinance will be set aside as not containing facts sufficient to constitute a prima facie case against the accused, requiring that they be put upon trial. I am doing all I may to accomplish such result, and thus secure the release of our citizen. I am hopeful of success.
Both the French and British Governments have citizens—the first, one, and the other, two—involved in this case; and the representatives of such Governments are sparing no pains to do what they may to secure due and successful defense of their respective citizens.
A British war vessel has been lying in this port for the last ten days, while as I write this dispatch a French war vessel is just going to anchor in the port. Both these vessels have come with reference to the cases to which I now refer; and both will probably remain to witness the result thereof.
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I am, &c.,