Mr. Rives to Mr.
Strobel.
Department
of State,
Washington, October 10,
1888.
No. 326.]Sir: I inclose a copy of a portion of a letter
recently received from the Rev. Judson Smith relative to the amount of
indemnity due the Rev. Mr. Doane for injuries inflicted on him by the
Spanish authorities at Ponape.
You are instructed to press for compensation for proven losses and expenses
and to suggest the pleasure with which this Government would view the tender
to Mr. Doane of reparation proportionate to the personal grievances to which
he has been subjected.
I am, etc.,
G. L. Rives,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 326.]
Mr. Smith to Mr.
Bayard.
[Extract.]
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions.
Congregational House, 1
Somerset street, Boston, September 24, 1888.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
reception of your favor of the 20th instant in response to my inquiry
about the purpose of the Spanish Government in respect to a proposed
indemnity for the expenses and losses incurred in the affairs of Mr.
Doane in Micronesia. I am pleased to note that this matter is distinctly
involved in the correspondence between our Government and Spain, and
that the attention of the Spanish Government has been called afresh to
the subject.
One inquiry is contained in your reponse to which I make brief answer,
namely, the amount that may properly be claimed from the Spanish
Government. The direct outlay of money by our board to meet expenses
connected with Mr. Doane’s arrest is not far from $1,000. The land
occupied by the governor’s residence on Ponape formerly in possession of
the American board is valued by Mr. Doane at $2,000. For this no
compensation has been made so far as our information goes. Thus there is
an equitable claim for at least $3,000. Beyond this it seems to me that
something is due in view of the interruption of all our work on the
island as well as the indignity to our Goverment involved in the
arbitrary treatment to which Mr. Doane was subjected. It is not for me
to attempt to fix a money equivalent for these things. We are quite
content to leave it for our Government to place its own estimate upon
these matters. If I should not be thought presuming I would suggest that
a claim for at least $5,000 should be presented to the Spanish
Government. Should this amount seem to you too small of course you will
act according to your own judgment in the case. We shall be content with
any arrangement that satisfies the claims above named, and that beyond
this goes far enough to give the requisite security for the future peace
of the Islands. * * *
I am, etc., your obedient servant,
