Baron Fava to Mr. Hay.
Washington, May 6, 1900.
Mr. Secretary of State: I duly received your note of the 17th ultimo, whereby your excellency, replying to mine of the 2d of that month, was pleased to send me a copy of a letter from a competent district attorney, who informed the governor of Louisiana that the third grand jury had thoroughly investigated the cruel lynching at Tallulah without being able to secure any indication or evidence of criminality against anybody.
From a deep sense of dignity I prefer not to discuss this singular assertion, made by a grand jury of a State belonging to a highly civilized [Page 722] Republic, which assertion can not fail to astonish and discourage those friendly nations which, like Italy, earnestly desire to sustain constant and cordial relation with the United States.
It is, however, my duty most solemnly to protest to your excellency on account of this additional violation of treaties bearing the signature of the United States Government, and in view of the evident and patent denial of justice which has been renewed by one of its States, which is strictly bound to observe the laws of the Confederation of which it is an integral part.
However, as your excellency confined yourself to informing me, purely and simply, of this unqualifiable verdict of the Louisiana jury, without apprising me, at the same time, of the view taken by the Federal Government on the subject, I refrained, from a feeling of high respect for that Government and for your excellency personally, from reporting it to His Majesty’s Government.
I now, however, desire to beg you, Mr. Secretary of State, to be pleased to let me know what measures the Federal Government intends to take in order to settle this unfortunate matter in a manner conformable to the pledges which bind it. In this connection I scarcely need remind you that the authorities and enlightened word of the President has already marked out to Congress the proper course to be taken, and that I have faith in the efficient action of your excellency for the prevention, in future, of any repetition of such atrocious outrages, and for the application of remedial measures to the failure, on the part of the Louisiana authorities, to do justice.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,