Mr. Sherman to Mr.
Hay.
Department of State,
Washington, December 11,
1897.
No. 352.]
Sir: I inclose for your information a copy of a
dispatch from the United States minister at Teheran, Persia, inclosing a
petition from American citizens resident in Tabriz and Urumia,
requesting some acknowledgment from the State Department of the services
of Her Majesty’s consul-general, Mr. Cecil J. Wood, in their behalf.
You are accordingly instructed to express to the foreign office, in
suitable terms, the thanks of the Government for Mr. Wood’s timely
services.
Respectfully yours,
[Inclosure in No. 352.]
Mr. Hardy to Mr.
Sherman.
Legation of the United States,
Teherin, Persia, November 4, 1897.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a
petition from American citizens resident in Tabriz and Urumia
requesting some acknowledgment from the State Department of the
services of Her Britannic Majesty’s consul-general, Mr. Cecil G.
Wood, in their behalf. While matters of grave import are referred to
this legation, many questions which can be speedily settled without
such reference and the consequent delays of correspondence have been
promptly and satisfactorily adjusted by the tact and courtesy of Mr.
Wood. This legation has not infrequently expressed its obligation to
Mr. Wood, but now, on the occasion of his leaving, some further
recognition seems fitting, and I would transmit the accompanying
petition with the recommendation that it receive such acknowledgment
by the State Department as may seem to it proper.
I have, etc.,
[Page 357]
[Subinclosure in No.
352.]
petition.
Whereas Her Britannic Majesty’s consul-general, Mr. Cecil G. Wood,
after five years of official residence in Tabriz, Persia, is about
to leave on furlough;
And whereas we, American citizens residing in Persia in the cities of
Tabriz and Urumia, are under great obligations to Consul-General Mr.
Wood for the courtesy and friendship shown by him in affording
protection to our lives and property, as well as for his ability and
efficiency in carrying to a successful issue all matters concerning
which we have requested his friendly interest. Times of riot and
danger, vexatious interference by officials, local difficulties, and
sudden emergencies requiring immediate action have rendered such
protection and aid specially valuable;
Therefore we respectfully request His Excellency Mr. Arthur S. Hardy,
United States minister at Teheran, to forward this expression of our
appreciation of and obligation for the services rendered us by
Consul-General Mr. Wood to the Department of State at Washington,
with the suggestion that suitable acknowledgment and recognition of
these favors be made by our Government to the Government of Her
Britannic Majesty.
John N. Wright
et al.
(Twenty-three additional
signatures.)