Mr. Haentjens to
Mr. Gresham.
[Translation.]
Legation of Haiti,
24 State
Street, New York, February 27,
1894.
(Received February
28.)
Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor to
state in this dispatch the following facts, which, in conformity with
instructions received by cable from my Government, I set forth in my
interview yesterday with the honorable, Assistant Secretary of State in
your absence.
In the beginning of the month of January last a steam yacht called Natalie left the coast of Long Island (New York
State) and proceeded [Page 338] to the
port of Savannah, Ga. Arrived at that port, the Natalie, under cover of night, there shipped thirty-two cases
containing cartridges, guns, bullets, gun carriages, etc., and furtively
sailed away without procuring any manifest or paper from the
custom-house.
From Savannah the yacht proceeded to Nassau, where she was until the 9th
of February, sheltering under the American flag her contraband of war,
and the last telegraphic advices inform me of her presence on the 23d of
February at Fortune Island, one of the Bahama Islands.
This expedition, for a long time in preparation by the Haitian refugees
at Kingston, and by their accomplices in New York, is conducted by one
Antoine Salini, a Corsican naturalized American. His design is to reach
Jamaica, there take on board the revolutionary Haitians who have taken
refuge on that island, and to effect their landing on the coast of
Haiti.
In view of this act of an American vessel secretly sailing from a port of
the United States without papers from the custom-house, carrying away
arms and munitions of war; in view of the unlawful use made by Salini
and his accomplices of the American flag to conceal his contraband of
war and facilitate an expedition the purpose of which is to rekindle
civil war in a country which entertains friendly relations with the
Republic of the United States, the Haitian Government, fully confiding
in the justice of the American Government, in denouncing to it these
facts requests that it will take such measures as it may deem
efficacious toward arresting an attempted violation of international
law. Accept, etc.,
P. S.—Herewith I have the honor to forward to you copy of a letter
received from Savannah and containing information concerning the
cargo shipped by the Natalie. I have not
procured affidavits in support of this information in the belief
that if obtained directly by your orders, should you think it well
to do so, they would be all the more convincing.
[Inclosure—Copy of a
letter.]
Mr. Farie to
Mr. Meehan.
Savannah, Ga., January 26,
1894.
Dear Sir: I have to acknowledge your favor
of 24th instant, inclosing cuttings from the New York Herald and
World, re yacht Natalie, and beg to confirm my telegram of date saying:
Natalie Herald cutting; in the main
true; Capt. Antonio Salini in command; 26 cases cartridges,
5 cases guns, 6 cases gun carriages, shipped Bannerman,
Front street, New York, taken on board yacht. Destination or
present location unknown.
The yacht arrived here December 31. The master called himself Nelson
to some people, but I find from inquiries which I made that he had
given his name as Antonio Salini to others. No entry was made at the
custom house either of the arrival or departure of yacht.
After arrival here, and while waiting, the yacht was coaled up,
taking on board about 13 tons of coal. Some of the coal was in sacks
and was piled on deck. She was also well provisioned. Before taking
coal on board, however, the master called in John Rourke, of the
firm of John Rourke & Son, to examine the machinery. Some
changes were recommended, [Page 339]
and made, to increase speed of vessel. From all I could gather the
changes made increased her speed from about 10 knots an hour to 14
knots.
It was given out here that the yacht belonged to private parties, and
was awaiting their arrival here to start with them on a hunting and
fishing expedition. The parties were coming from the north.
As regards the shipment of ammunition, I would state that I saw the
bills of lading for same. They were shipped by the Ocean Steamship
Company’s steamer City of Augusta, appointed
to sail January 10, 1894, viz.
First bill of lading.
Goods shipped by Francis Bannerman, 27 Front street, New York
City, consigned to Earnest Morrett, Savannah (or Herritt). Box
Nos. 4–12, 14–15, 24–34; 21 boxes containing cartridges.
Second bill of lading.
Five cases guns, 3 cases gun carriage and chests, 1 case gun box
carriage and chests, 1 case gun chest, 1 case gun carriage.
Third bill of lading.
40–41, 42–44; 5 boxes cartridges.
The consignee here is unknown and probably was an imaginary person.
The freight on the packages was paid here and the goods were hauled
away after dark on the 20th and shipped on board the yacht from the
river side at foot of West Broad street.
The yacht sailed Sunday night. Destination unknown; present location
unknown, although the general impression here is that she went
direct to the Bahamas.
The master sailed without settling all John Rourke & Son’s bill.
There is a balance of $100 or so unpaid, and I understand telegrams
were sent to Fernandina and to Pensacola to attach vessel if she put
in at these ports.
I return you herewith newspaper cuttings and inclose my bill for
services in the matter.
Yours, etc.,
A. L. Farie,
Correspondent Marine
Underwriters.
