Mr. Loomis to Mr.
Clayton.
Department of State,
Washington, September 19,
1904.
No. 1153.]Sir: Referring to your previous correspondence
reporting the release of Messrs. Harding and Dugat from prison in Mexico
on bond, I inclose herewith a copy of a dispatch from the American
consul at Matamoros, reporting that the bond for $300 given by those
gentlemen is still in force, and that the case has never been settled.
He furthermore says that Mr. Harding is very anxious to visit his
family, in Houston, Tex., one member of which is sick, but is prevented
from doing so by the conditions of the bond.
You will take such action for the relief of Mr. Harding as you may deem
appropriate.
I am, etc.,
Francis B. Loomis,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Griffith to
Mr. Loomis.
American Consulate, Matamoros, September 1,
1904.
Sir: I have the honor to address the
Department of State relative to the case of Harding and Dugat. This
is probably the most important case which has required the
intervention of this office during the present year.
The result of my appeal to the Department of State was a lowering of
the bond from $2,000 gold to $300 Mexican, and the defendants
allowed to go beyond the city limits to their-rice farm, which is
situated about 3 miles from the city. This last bond of $300 still
remains in force, and the case has never been settled. The
defendant, Mr. Harding, is very anxious to visit his family, in
Houston, Tex., one member of which is sick.
I have written to Lie. José H. Serret, district judge at Nuevo
Laredo, to whose court the case has long since been transferred,
asking him to be kind enough to inform me when the case would be
determined, but have received no reply. I wrote also to Ambassador
Clayton, urging him to have the matter attended to, and further
advising him that if the courts here did not see fit to settle the
case soon I would be compelled to lay the whole matter before the
Department of State for such action as it deemed proper.
* * * * * * *
I am, etc.,
