Mr. Bayard to Mr. Preston.
Washington , February 15, 1889.
Your communication of yesterday and two telegrams of to-day received, and I have just telegraphed the collector of the port of New York as follows:
At the instance of Mr. Stephen Preston, representing the Government of Légitime in Hayti, your attention is drawn to sections 5289 and 5290, Revised Statutes, in connection with steamer Madrid, now lying in New York.
Mr. Preston applies to this Department to detain Madrid in order to give him reasonable time to obtain ample proof of her unlawful objects.
You will confer with district attorney, and if any evidence is adduced will detain the vessel until you can report to this Department and the decision of the President is had thereon.