[Inclosure in No. 22.]
Mr. Hamlin to
Mr. Gresham.
Treasury Department,
Office of the
Secretary,
Washington, D.
C., January 28,
1895.
Sir: Further replying to your letter of the
4th instant, transmitting copy of a dispatch from the American
ambassador at London relative to the fires on cotton ships, I have
the honor to transmit for his information copy of a letter from the
president of the Savannah Cotton Exchange, dated the 22d
instant.
Respectfully, yours,
C. S. Hamlin,
Acting Secretary.
[Subinclosure in No.
22.]
Mr. Gordon to
Mr. Chamberlain.
The
Savannah Cotton Exchange,
Savannah, Ga., January 22, 1895.
Mr. Eugene T.
Chamberlain,
Commissioner Bureau
Navigation, Treasury Department, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your favor of
the 8th instant, addressed to the president chamber of commerce,
inclosing copy of letter from the committee of Lloyds addressed to
the ambassador of the United States to Great Britain, in reference
to fires on cotton ships at the ports of the United States this
season up to November 24.
In reply, I beg to say that, so far as this port is concerned, the
fires on shipboard on night of November 5–6, involving nine foreign
steamships, were the only cotton fires we have had this season, and
in our opinion were clearly of incendiary origin.
This exchange, being always in the front of all movements for the
welfare of Savannah, called a general meeting of its members on the
morning of November 6 and appointed a committee composed of its
president and board of directors to immediately call upon the city
council and request that immediate steps be taken to ferret out the
perpetrators of the crime and to prevent any recurrence of similar
acts.
The city council, realizing the seriousness of the situation,
affecting as it did not only the cotton business of Savannah but
involving the interests of every citizen and the good name of our
city, acted promptly, actively, and energetically in the matter and
offered a large reward for the apprehension of the incendiaries.
This exchange immediately followed with a reward of $5,000, and the
underwriters with one of $1,000. We regret to say that up to this
time the measures taken have failed to bring the perpetrators of the
crime to justice, but we are still actively engaged upon the work
and hope for a speedy and successful termination of our labors.
Respectfully, yours,
Beirne Gordon,
President Savannah Cotton
Exchange.