Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney.

No. 657.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose my telegram (copy) of this date, informing you of my demand for a written answer from the Porte regarding the flagrant action of the vali of Aleppo in imprisoning and refusing access to Melcoun Guedjian, an American citizen.

The full text of my note to the Porte was inclosed in my No. 654, of the 28th instant. An answer was demanded before Tuesday, the 29th. No answer being received, I sent my dragoman to day with a note to the foreign minister, Saïd Pasha, to obtain from him a statement that the note of the 28th instant, which contained my demands, had been received. A copy of that note and also a copy of Mr. Gargiulo’s report in relation thereto are inclosed.

In such cases the custom is to direct diplomacy through the Turkish minister at Washington.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 657.]

Mr. Terrell to Saïd Pasha.

No. 94.]

Sir: Will your excellency be pleased to inform Mr. Gargiulo, the dragoman for the United States legation, whether you received and have answered in writing my note, No. 93, of October 28 instant, which [Page 1315] was sent to you by the same trusted messenger who conveyed to the Porte my former notes, in regard to Guedjian, an American citizen.

The information is desired before I communicate with my Government.

Receive, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 657.]

Mr. Gargiulo to Mr. Terrell.

Sir: I have the honor to report to you that this evening I called on His Excellency Said Pasha, minister for foreign affairs, and delivered him your note in which you requested him to inform me if he had received your note, No. 93, of the 28th instant, and if he had replied to it.

Saïd Pasha acknowledges the receipt of that note, and says that as it referred to two previous notes which were addressed to the grand vizier and the matter being important he could not make a reply before finding out what steps the grand vizier had taken on the subject, but anyhow, he said, you will receive his answer by to-morrow.

I am, etc.,

A. A. Gargiulo.