No. 665.
Mr. Cox to Mr.
Bayard.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, September 18, 1885.
(Received October 5.)
No. 14.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose copies of
correspondence had with the English minister, Sir William A. White, in
reference to affording American interests the protection of the English
vice-consul at Harpoot, especially having in view the undisturbed
continuance of the American college at that point.
You will be pleased to see that we are indebted to the courtesy and vigor of
English officials at a point where none of our own is stationed, and also
that the same is extended to our countrymen in as gracious a manner as it
usually has been effective.
[Page 863]
The above case comes under the general instructions recently received through
your dispatch No. 9. That dispatch gives a large discretion in securing “all
due protection and redress for your [our] countrymen who take up their abode
in Turkey and observe its laws.”
There are cases pending which need prompt attention, and as to which I will
confer with the Department if any emergency not foreseen shall arise.
A case was brought to me yesterday of the most flagrant character, viz, the
robbery in June last of Rev. Mr. J. F. Smith, his wife and son, and a Miss
Wright of Marsovan, Asia Minor. The robbers (Circassian soldiers) were
arrested; but no punishment has been had, and no return of the stolen
property found upon the robbers. This robbery took place on the highway,
nine miles from Tocat, under circumstances of aggravation. I have made a
full representation to the Porte in such diplomatic; terms as it is possible
to use and be in earnest.
* * * * * * *
I refer to these cases (all comprehended under your No. 9) to show you that I
have received your dispatch and am studying up the correspondence with a
view to the best mode of redress.
* * * * * * *
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 14.]
Mr. Cox to Mr.
White.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 11,
1885.
Dear Sir: Some months ago the Ottoman
Government decided to enforce its law—almost fallen into
desuetude—against achools existing within its territory.
There is an American college existing from custom, never having been
interdicted for lack of a “permit,” at a place called “Harpoot.” It is,
according to the map, near the thirty-ninth parallel of latitude and
about 150 miles south of Trebizond, Asia Minor. The American directors
of this college apprehend difficulties from the local authorities of the
vilayet, although application has been made according to the law for the
“permit.”
These local authorities do not respond to Ottoman Government at the Porte
as to certain information on which the latter desire to base their
“permit” for thecollege.
Inasmuch as there are no American officials of any grade at or near this
place, and as the apprehension of the Americans is well grounded; and
inasmuch as there is now temporarily resident at Harpoot an English
vice-consul, Mr. Bajadjoin, who is your Government’s representative at
Diarbekir, a resident of the country and a gentleman of influence with
the natives of that neighborhood, and a man of probity and benevolence,
may I not respectfully ask your kind offices in behalf of the college
through his intervention in the premises?
Is there a precedent for such a request and for acquiescence in it? Yes.
In 1882 some difficulties arose with regard to Dr. Kingsbury, of Samacow
in Bulgaria. He was in the habit of attending medically the American
families in Samacow. He was arraigned before the Bulgarian authorities,
or rather required by them to present himself before a medical body at
Sofia and display his diplomas and verify their authenticity. He
complied. The next day, however, he was summoned to appear in court and
answer charges for illegally practicing his profession and selling
drugs. There was no American consul there.
On the 7th of October, 1882, the American legation here requested the
Earl of Dufferin, the English minister, to be good enough to take Dr.
Kingsbury under his special protection.
Owing to the good offices of Mr. Lassales, the difficulty was happily
terminated.
It is upon this and numerous other precedents of your uniform kindness
that I rely for a similar kindly interposition on behalf of the worthy
teachers and directors of the college at Harpoot.
I am, &c.,
[Page 864]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 14.]
Mr. White to Mr.
Cox.
Therapia, September 14,
1885.
Sir: I had the honor to receive your letter of
the 11th instant, in which you ask me to instruct Mr. Vice-Consul
Bajadjoin to use his influence in assisting the directors of the
American college at Harpoot in obtaining from the local authorities an
answer to an application addressed to them by the Sublime Porte for
certain information which is necessary before the permit for this
college can be granted.
I have lost no time in addressing a dispatch to Mr. Vice-Consul Bajadjoin
instructing him to use what influence he properly can in the sense of
your wishes.
I have, &c.,
