Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress, December 3, 1894

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Muruaga.

Department of State,
Washington, February 13, 1894.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 10th instant in regard to certain Spanish cigar makers at Key West, and to inclose herewith a copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of the Treasury, of this date, on the subject.

Accept, etc.,

W. Q. Gresham.

[Inclosnre.]

Mr. Curtis to Mr. Gresham.

Treasury Department,
Washington, February 13, 1894. (Received February 13.)

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 10th instant relating to inquiries of the Spanish minister in regard to certain Spanish cigar makers who came to Key West, in which you ask to be advised as to their arrest and deportation.

In reply I have to state that it was alleged and proved to my satisfaction that the said Spaniards came to Key West to perform labor under a prior contract entered into in Havana, which is contrary to the provisions of the acts of Congress of 1885, 1887, and 1888, commonly known as the alien contract labor laws, under which I am required, upon being satisfied that they came in violation of said laws, to have them taken into custody and deported.

These laws apply to all nationalities and are made for the protection of American workingmen. I hope you will assure his excellency, the Spanish minister, that no national question actuated my action in the premises. Spaniards can, come to Key West or to any other of our ports, but they must not make contracts to do work and labor in the United States prior to their departure from their own country.

This Department has information that these Spaniards have declared their intention to become American citizens in order to avoid deportation.

Respectfully, yours,

W. E. Curtis,
Acting Secretary.