Mr. Blaine to Mr. Coolidge.
Washington, June 4, 1892.
Sir: I inclose a copy of a note from the minister of France of January 26 last,* by which, referring to and continuing Mr. Desprez’s note of November 3 last,† a copy of which I also inclose, Mr. Patenotre informs me of the conclusion of recent treaties with certain chiefs of the African Ivory Coast, by which their territories have been placed under the protection of France. He states, also, that this notification is made in conformity with the provisions of article 34 of the general act of the conference of Berlin.
[Page 166]Under these circumstances a few pertinent observations on the part of this Government appear absolutely necessary.
Until the United States shall, by subsequent accession to and ratification of the general act of the conference of Berlin in the manner therein provided, become a party to the stipulations thereof, it will be impossible to determine the due and proper weight to be given by this Government to the declaration and claim which is thus announced.
Not only does the notification carry with it no present constraint upon the United States to recognize and acquiesce in the claims so put forth; but, if the facts are correctly apprehended, and if, as appears, the protectorate claimed by France invades the sovereign jurisdiction of the Republic of Liberia, the Government of the United States could not fail to feel the deepest concern and make earnest remonstrance against such encroachment.
Since 1846, when the territory comprised within the State of Maryland was ceded to Liberia by the native chiefs, the eastern boundary of the Republic has been recognized as extending to the San Pedro River. The protectorate Mr. Patenotre now announces on the part of France extends westward from the San Pedro River to Cavally River, an important stream which empties into the ocean some 65 miles further west, and embraces the Berreby territory.
The Government of France can not be unaware of the lively interest which the United States have in the welfare of Liberia. The fact has been made known on repeated occasions. On January 13, 1886, when it was reported that a French claim of jurisdiction westward of San Pedro River had been set up, my predecessor in office instructed the United States minister to France as follows:
We exercise no protectorate over Liberia, but the circumstance that that Republic originated through the colonization of American citizens and was established under the fostering sanction of this Government gives us the right, as the next friend of Liberia, to aid her in preventing any encroachment of foreign powers on her territorial sovereignty and in settling any disputes that may arise.
On a very recent occasion, also, the keen interest of the United States in the fortunes of Liberia and our jealous concern that full respect should be paid to the independent and sovereign place of that Republic in the family of nations was conspicuously shown. During the African slave-trade conference of Brussels, in the session of June 16, 1890, the representative of the United States made an explicit declaration of the relation of the Republic of Liberia to the United States and the desire of this Government that the general act should contain an express stipulation to the effect that the Liberian Republic would be invited, as a sovereign power, to adhere to the treaty. The object in view was attained by recording, in the protocol of the session of June 20, 1890, a positive declaration of the sense of the conference concerning the sovereign status of Liberia. Baron Lamberniont, president of the conference, in setting forth the positions announced by the United States with regard to the engagements of the general act, eloquently stated the circumstances which led, not only the United States, but all those interested in the cause of humanity in Africa, to attach great importance to the coöperation of the independent and free state of Liberia for the realization of the objects of the conference. “All the world knows,” he said, “the history of the Republic of Liberia. Founded with the object of affording a home to certain freed American slaves desiring to return to the mother country, it was destined at the same time to fulfill a civilizing mission upon the Guinea coast. This creation has produced happy results. It began, it is true, under great [Page 167] difficulties, but this often happens in the early life of new states. This young Republic none the less deserves the sympathies of all those who are interested in the cause of humanity in Africa. It is an independent and free state. Moreover, the conference has every interest in associating it with its work, not only because of the mission Liberia is called upon to fulfill, but also because it is also in a position to lend indispensable assistance toward the execution of several of the clauses of the general act.” The British delegate. Lord Vivian welcomed this declaration of the president of the conference, adding that the place of Liberia had already been fixed among the independent states which were to be invited to adhere to the general act. These important declarations stand, therefore, as voicing the general sentiment of the conference and as recognizing with peculiar solemnity and frank spontaneity the position which the Republie of Liberia has won as a free, independent, sovereign, and equal member of the family of nations, and as an important factor in the development and civilization of Africa.
The position of Liberia in Africa is peculiar and almost isolated. It is one of the few independent sovereignties of that vast continent, and is the only one on the whole Atlantic seaboard. It has exercised sovereign attributes for half a century, competently contracting treaties with foreign states, and preserving its sphere of legitimate control peacefully among the interior tribes and along the coast, in virtue of formal treaties of cession dating back to its earliest history. At no time has Liberia trespassed on the domain of its neighbors or invaded their comparatively recent sphere of influence. Ever paying due respect to the rights of other sovereignties, its attitude has entitled it to unquestioning respect for its own vested rights and to especial sympathy for its fruitful efforts to fulfill what Baron Lambermont has well called “une mission civilisatrice pour la côte de Guinée.”
Occupying this position, as Liberia does, and bound to the United States by especial ties, which, strong in their origin, have been further strengthened by half a century of intimate relationship, it is apparent that this Government and people could not behold unmoved, much less acquiesce in, any proceeding on the part of the neighbors of Liberia which might assume to dispose of any territory justly claimed and long admitted to belong to the Republic, without the concurrence and consent of Liberia as an independent and sovereign contractant.
It is proper that France, whose colonial establishments and spheres of protection adjoin the jurisdiction of Liberia to the eastward, should be afforded an opportunity of frankly disclaiming any intention to encroach upon the recognized territory of Liberia.
By the President’s direction, you are instructed to bring these views to the attention of the minister of foreign affairs, and to inform him at the same time that the Government of the United States does not accept as valid or acquiesce in the protectorates announced by Mr. Desprez’s note of November 3, 1891, or by Mr. Patenotre’s later note of January 26, 1892, so far as the same may relate to territory pertaining to the Republic of Liberia westward of the San Pedro River, unless it shall appear that Liberia is herself a consenting party to such transactions.
The President is so firmly convinced that the just rights of independent Liberia will be duly respected by all, that he is indisposed to consider the possible contingency of such expansion of the territorial claims of other powers in Africa as might call for a more positive assertion of the duty of the United States.
I am, etc.,