Mr. White to Mr. Foster.

No. 869.]

Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 865 of the 10th instant, I have the honor to inclose herewith the copy of a note which I have received from [Page 250] the Earl of Rosebery, confirming what he stated to me verbally relative to the recognition of our commercial agency at Butaritari, in the Gilbert Islands, and expressing the regret of Her Majesty’s Government that Capt. Davis, of H. M. S. Royalist, did not provisionally recognize Mr. Rick in that capacity.

I have, etc.,

Henry White.
[Inclosure 1 in Dispatch No. 869.]

Earl Rosebery to Mr. White.

Sir: With reference to my letter of the 24th ultimo, respecting the position of Mr. Rick, the United States commercial agent at Butaritari, in the Gilbert Islands, I have the honor to state that Her Majesty’s Government are quite prepared to accept your note of November 21 as sufficient notification of that gentleman’s official position.

The commander in chief on the Australian station has been instructed by telegraph to cause Mr. Rick to be recognized in his consular capacity by the officers under his orders, and the governors of New South Wales and Fiji will also be instructed to insert a notification in the Government Gazette of their respective colonies to the effect that Mr. Rick has been recognized by Her Majesty’s Government as commercial agent for the United States in the Gilbert Islands.

With regard to the proceedings of Capt. Davis, of Her Majesty’s ship Royalist, Her Majesty’s Government regret that that officer did not extend to Mr. Rick provisional recognition, pending reference to this department, though he appears to have been technically correct in his view that Mr. Rick’s appointment should be notified to the protecting powers before he could be formally recognized.

I trust, however, that no practical inconvenience will have resulted from Capt. Davis’s action.

I have, etc.,

Rosebery.