Mr. Dupuy de Lôme to Mr. Olney.
Washington, January 26, 1896.
Sir: Last night, as I feared, left New York an expedition commanded by a Cuban leader named Calista Garcia and composed of 150 men, arms, ammunitions, and stores.
We have not found in the law nor attempted, in consequence of past experience, means to prevent the organization of that expedition, nor have my agents had time at the last moment when, under cover of the night had assembled, to ask the protection of the authorities.
But the fact is that another body of men, drilled and organized in the United States, have left its shores to bring war to a friendly nation.
It is possible that the steamer J. W. Hawkins, that took them, will go to the South, in the neighborhood of Palm Beach, Fla., to take more men and more arms, and also that she will pass in the United States waters near Key West. In both cases it seems possible that the revenue cutters from Savannah and other Southern ports and from Key West will be able to stop that filibuster expedition. I beg also to say that the arms and ammunition that were confiscated at Cedar Keys, Fla., are ready to embark in a schooner to join at sea the Garcia expedition, and that the famous steamer Commodore, at Wilmington, S. C., still in port, forms part of that conspiracy.
I am sure, Mr. Secretary, that the Government will do all in its power to detain that armed expedition if possible, when in the jurisdiction of the United States, giving a new proof of its desire of having the law enforced.
Please accept the assurances, etc.,
The steamer J. W. Hawkins is 189 tons gross register, 125 net; has two smokestacks and two small masts.