Office of the Historian

Mr. Hay to Mr. Day.

American Embassy,
London, May 14, 1898.
No. 396.]

Sir: Referring to your telegraphic instruction of the 12th instant, relative to the fate of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. McGrew, I have the honor to inform you that I lost no time in causing a prompt inquiry to be made at the colonial office in this regard, and was informed that the name of McGrew did not appear upon the list at that office of those killed in Sierra Leone, but that the missionaries formerly at Robethel, which, being a station 40 miles in the interior from Rotifunk, is supposed to be the place where the McGrews were living, were all safe at Freetown. I sent you a cablegram to this effect yesterday, a copy of which is also inclosed.

I further beg to transmit herewith a copy of a note from the foreign office, dated the 13th instant and received this morning, which officially confirmed my telegram to you above mentioned.

I have, etc.,

John Hay.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 396.]

Lord Salisbury to Mr. Hay.

Foreign Office, May 13, 1898.

Your Excellency: With reference to my note of the 7th instant, respecting the United States missionaries in Sierra Leone, I have the satisfaction to inform you that the secretary of state for the colonies [Page 369] has received a telegram from the governor of Sierra Leone from which it appears that the United States missionaries from Robethel are all safe at Freetown.

I have, etc.,

Francis Bertie.

(In the absence of the Marquis of Salisbury.)