Acting Secretary of State Bacon to Minister Wilson.
Sir: I inclose a copy of a letter from Mr. A.
McLean, president of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society, of
Cincinnati, in which he complains that the officials of the Kongo Free
State are not willing to sell land to the society for the location of
schools, chapels, homes, and hospitals.
You are requested to inquire as to this matter, and report to the
department the results of your investigation.
I am, etc.,
Robert Bacon, Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. A. McLean
to the Secretary of State.
Dear Sir: The Foreign Christian Missionary
Society, the representative of the Disciples of Christ, has been
engaged for some ten years in mission work on the Kongo. Our station
is at Bolgeni. We wish to branch out, but the State officials are
not willing to sell us any land upon which to erect schools and
chapels and homes and hospitals. This is to confine our labors to
one station. We believe that the action of the officials is in
violation of the spirit if not the letter of the treaties. This
society respectfully asks you to use your good offices to the effect
that we may be able to buy land where needed in the prosecution of
our work. We shall be very grateful to you for any assistance you
may render us in this time of need.
On behalf of the society, I remain, etc.,
