Mr. Terrell to Mr. Gresham.
Constantinople, October 12, 1893. (Received October 30.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have filially secured the promise of this Government to recognize Garabed Kevorkian, a naturalized Armenian, as a citizen of the United States. He was the subject of your dispatch No. 33 of August 8, 1893. He was naturalized without the consent of the Sultan, long after the Turkish law of 1809, but made his declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States before that date.
The recognition by the Porte of his citizenship, as dating from the time when the “declaration of intention” was filed, has not been without difficulty; especially since in this case about ten years was permitted to elapse before naturalization.
Mr. McLean, corresponding secretary of the foreign missionary society at Cincinnati (a copy of whose letter you inclose me) has manifested an impatience over this case which he would regret if he knew how tardy is the course of justice here, and how many things involving the prosperity of Christian enterprises in Turkey I would have been compelled to postpone, had I made a specialty (as I have for” the last few days) of Kevorkian’s case. This man’s civil rights were not threatened. He had made a trade and wished himself described in the deed as a citizen of the United States.
I have, etc.,