Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1883

No. 15.
Mr. Davis to Baron Schaeffer.

Department of State,
Washington, May 19, 1883.

Baron: Acknowledging the receipt of your note of to-day’s date in regard to the arrest of Captain Sylvio Ferlan, of the Austrian vessel Ararat, at Philadelphia, on a charge of assaulting a cabin boy, I hasten to inform you that as the “difference” appears to be one concerning the maintenance of usual discipline on shipboard, and, therefore, one proper to be “settled” by the consul, under the treaty of 1870, the Attorney-General has directed the United States attorney at Philadelphia to appear on behalf of Captain Ferlan, and ask that the proceedings against him be dismissed for want of jurisdiction.

Accept, &c.,

JOHN DAVIS.