Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Lee.
Sir: The Department has received your dispatch No. 190 of the 21st instant, relative to the case of Ona Melton, one of the crew of the captured schooner Competitor.
As of possible use to the prisoner in establishing his character of newspaper correspondent to the satisfaction of the Cuban courts, I inclose a certified copy of two affidavits relative to Melton’s appointment as correspondent of The Florida Times-Union, of Jacksonville.
I also inclose for your information a copy of a letter on the subject from the general manager of the Times-Union. Copies of these papers were sent on August 5 last to our minister at Madrid for such use as he might be able to make of them in the interest of Melton.
These are the only documents which the Department has received bearing on the matter. It is presumed that Melton has an attorney looking after his case, but you will of course assist him as far as you [Page 742] can to establish his claim of American citizenship, which, it seems from his note to you, inclosed in your dispatch under acknowledgment, he has so far experienced some difficulty in doing to the satisfaction of the Spanish authorities.
I also inclose a copy of a letter from Mrs. Emmie Laborde, wife of Alfredo Laborde, master of the schooner Competitor, this being the only information which the Department has bearing on his citizenship.
I am, etc.,