The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-19

write you in regard TO any claims against the
government of Peru. You Will indeed co well
to return at once TO the writers any letters you
may receive relating to any private claims UNI
less you first have the matter regularly referred
to you by the Department OF State. Such
reference will never be except in cases wherein
the Judgment Of the government there is a
denial of Justice to an American citizen.
Legations of the United States in foreign
countries must not be converted into agencies
for the prosecution of private claims. Trusting
to your sound discretion and prudent action In
all matters of this character. am sir,
Your Obe1ient Servant,
JAMES G. BLAINE.
No. IS
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 1881.
Stephen A. Htrlbut, Esq, etc., ETC., Lima:
Sir:-On the 9th ult. sent you the follow
ing telegram;
The influence of your position must not be used
in aid Of the Credit Industrial or any other fnan-
oial or specializing association.
On the I'd inst. received your reply in these
words:
1t has not been; 1t will not be-
NV reason for telegraphing you was the
continual circulation OF rumors that the aid
of YOUR legation was earnestly desired to pro-
mote the interest of the Credit Industrial of
France an association which is making efforts
TO recognize the finances of Peru. Agents OF
the Credit Industrial had visited the
Department of State and Intellectually
endeavored to enlist the interests OF this gov
eminent in their behalf. However trust
worthy the Credit Industrial may be did not
consider it proper for the department to have
anvtbing whatever to do with it. 1t is for
eign corporation responsible to French law and
must seek its patronage and protection from
France. At the same time 1t IS no part OF your
duty to interfere with its negotiations with the
Peruvian government Ii 1t can be made an
effective fundamentally to aid that unhappy
country in its PROSTATE and helpless condition
it would be ungenerous and unjust 10 opstruct
its operations Your duty is negative and you
|. will have fully complied with your instruc-
ton by simply sustaining from all connection
with the association
nj have another word of caution to give you.
L presume that you will be asked by the agents
or officers of the Peruvian Company of New
York to lend your influence as United states
minister to promote its interests. would OF
| course present to you the claim OF an American
| organization composed of reputable citizens
| and entitled to your good offices where they
may with propriety be extended. But you
| will specially avoid any advocacy OF the claims
I or that or any other company or individual IN
| the pursuit of personal ends or business enter
| prises To minister of your experience
| need not point out the proper distinction be-
| tween diplomatic good offices and personal adj
| vocacy. To extend all proper protection tc
| American citizens and to secure for them IL
| any interests they may have respectful hear
| ing before the tribunals of the country te
| which you are accredited and generally to aid
| them with information and advice are among
imper tive and grateful duties of a minister
duties which increase his usefulness and add te
| his respect, and duties which / have no doubl
| you will faithfully perform. To go beyond and
assume tone of advocacy with its inevitable
| inference of personal interest and its possible
| suspicion of improper interest will at once i'm
| pair, if it does not utterly destroy, the accepta
| bility and efficiency of a diplomatic represen.
| tation.
1 recite these elementary grounds at the
| present time because, if L am correctly ad
| vised, all manner of schemes are on foot al
Lima for the reorganization of the disorderet
| finances of Peru and the interested parties art
seeking first of all the countenance and en-
dorsement of the American legation. Yor
will exercise the utmost care in any step. yor
may take, and If any occasion shall arise where
| The interposition of this Government may ait
in restoring the credit of Peru will confer b,
telegraph with the department, and you vii
take no important step without full and expllc
| it instructions am, &C., &C.,
Your obedent servant,
JAMES G. BLAINE.