No. 475.
Mr. Hunter to Mr.
Richmond.
Department
of State,
Washington, September 27,
1884.
No. 6.]
Sir: I inclose a copy of correspondence originating
in a report made to the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions,
Boston, that five missionaries of that board had been obliged to quit Bihé
and Bailunda, some 300 miles from Benguela, West Africa, and seek refuge
with their families at the last-named place. The cause of this retirement is
not fully known.
There seems to be no present occasion for diplomatic official action to
secure these missionaries in any rights or privileges, but you will
meantime, exercise any personal good offices which may tend to give them
protection. Any rights they may be entitled to should be reserved in the
course of inquiry on the subject. On ascertaining the, cause of the
retirement of these missionaries from the interior, you will please report
[Page 632]
it in the terms in which the
information is received, unless you are aware that the Department has
already been apprised of the fact.
I have to add that Mr. Smith, the secretary of the board, has been reminded
that information as to the citizenship of the missionaries ought also to be
transmitted.
I am, &c.,
W. HUNTER,
Acting
Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 6.]
Mr. Smith to Mr.
Frelinghuysen.
1 Somerset Street, Boston,
September 17, 1884.
My Dear Sir: Permit me in the name of the
American Board to solicit your favorable attention to a matter of public
moment.
The missionaries of our board, five in number, together with their wives
and children, who are stationed at Bihé and Bailunda, some 300 miles
inland from Benguela, on the West African coast, for some cause not yet
fully known to us, have been compelled to retire from their field, and
are remaining at Benguela for safety. We desire to bespeak for them,
while they remain there, the kindly offices of the Portuguese officials
at Benguela, and we wish to lay the essential facts before you, in order
that you may support and reinforce our suggestions to the Portuguese
Government.
I take the liberty to inclose herewith a communication* addressed to the
Portuguese minister at Washington, which I desire you, after having
noted its contents, to transmit to his excellency with such expressions
of interest as you shall be pleased to give.
The good will of the Portuguese at Benguela is important to the success
of our enterprise, and we think the real interests of the Portuguese
Government are involved in their maintaining friendly relations toward
our brethren and fellow citizens there. The use of your personal and
official influence in promoting these ends will be of great service,
and, I assure you, will be most gratefully appreciated by all the
officers and members of the American Board.
I have, &c.,
JUDSON SMITH,
Secretary,
&c.
