The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-01
MINISTER BASSETT.
-The I.ntter liiXcs His VieHss on AnneNntioI

-The Latter Gives His Views on AnneNntiOns
The N Y. Herdlds Washington correspondence
OF yesterday contains the fOllowing:-
Mr. f. ID. Bassett (coOred), our new Minister 10
the PresdeHt Secretary FISH n senator Sumner, and
your correspondent Bassett, though belonging 10
what yonng Douglass calls "a despised race" Is
man OF considerable parts He is good looking, ap-
parently well educated, quite polished in manners
well posted about political matters, and seems to
have thoroughly fitted himself for the discharge OF
the duties devOlving upon him as the first colOred
diplomatic representative OF the United States With
all these good qualities he combines rare modesty
which nicely distinguishes between servility to 'the
white trash,' and that undue assumption which so
often cnaracterizes the conduct of men suddenly
81 o.1 going to see President Grant," said he to
your correspondent, "and confess 1t VIII be an
ordeal little trying TO me. Some men like nOto-
riety OF that kind, but am not one of them. am
only poor Yankee, and don't care to make myself
remarkable sIn wnat part of the country were You
born 2" asked your correspondent. connecticut,
sir in Litchhed, where strange to say, besides the
present Minister TO llayt, John Brown and the
SeymOurs also born. Mr.. Bassett then
proceeded 10 say that he had already
had a short interview with the President
who received him gracousy and appointed a later
hour IN the DAY Tor longer talk statng that nc ue
sired to see him when they could be more secluded
al told the President had called to see him because
had heard he wished TO say something TO me before
my departure to lIaytL said him that had gen
eral written instructions from Secretary Fish, bu
supposed might IKE TO give me some special IN
struCtOns. ysmied and said NO, he had not TN
in such way hat inferred that he really had some
thing special o say"
OF the second Interview with the President will
endeavOr to give you an account, also in Mr.. Bas.
setts own words:-"When went INTO Mr. Grant $
Office found him talking with Mr.. Creswell, both
sitting down, and both smoking cigars QIere
Bassett smiled) They both received me pleasantly
and was given cigar by Mr.. Grant, the remains
OF which | still have exhibiting a cigar stump
Our conversation was free and cordial. Mr.
sources of Hayti, its history, customs of the peo-
pie, etc, which answered as well as knew how.
Mr.. Grant opened map OF the West Indies as
big as that table, and referred to it. During our
conversation Mr.. Creswell also eXamifed CYCLIC
pedia regarding some points that arose. The Presi-
dent was very emphatic, and at the same time very
cautious in expressing himself about the policy of
annexation He said his own views were in favor
OF such policy but that he thought in all cases the
people OF country TO he annexed should first show
themselves anxious for union with u.s. and that then
it would be a subject for the consideration of our
his expression on that subject, saying that
even after people showed themselves favOra-
ton for our consideration. He said he had
no particular instructions to give me. told him
could only bring TO the office with which he had
honored me patriotism, honesty, fidelity, and in
dustry He replied that he felt there could be some
advantage TO be derived from my appointment to
Hayti; that being accredited to the people of the
same race as myself l would be received with more
cordiaty, and he enabled perhaps to be OF more
service TO the United States. told him had assur-
anCes that would be well received. The interview,
suppose, occupied altogether about three-quarters
of an hour"
your correspondent related other things that
red at the interview; but as they not of much
account, tney are omitted. Ine ABOVE is sub
stantally what occurred. At his interview with
Secretary Fish he told that there were several
claims against the Hayten Government, but that
they not in such shape as to require de-
mand for settlement. The services OF the United
States Minister would simply be used in the way
OF friendly mediation. Mr.. Bassett informed
your correspondent that he would sail from New
York for Hayti Thursday, and requested that if
anything should he published about his conversation
with Grant that it should only be very general But
the interview is somewhat important, from the
fact that Mr. Bassett is the first colored ambassador
from the United States and as nothing related above
is to the dscredt either of the President Of Min
lister Bassett have you the above account even
at the risk Of being charged with violating confidence
as Horace would say. ''just once