Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-06
MEMOIR tNDUM PREPARED by THE
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN NATIONS
Prccedcnts Going to show That Such
Action IL ExcIusiveIy an Executive
Function. in Which Congress Has
No Part.
No Part.

Government OF the United States from
1883 TO 1s37. tending 10 show the accuracy
OF secretary Olney's contention that the
recognition of foreign governments was
exclusively an Executive function. I'm
which Congress had no part. The pre-
cedents cited were numerous.
After criticisms from various writers
ON International law. the memorandum
sets forth specifically the States that have
been recognized and the manner Of doing
so Among them are the following:
The French republic, 1893, recognized by
the reception by Washington Of the
Minister NJ. Genet. as the representa-
tive of the new republic.
The Empire. 1904. i'm which the recogni-
tion Of Napoleon as Emperor was ef-
icclod by new credentials 20 Mr.. Arm
strong. the American Minister 40 Paris.
These credentials were signed in blank.
So they could be filled out I'm the form
required by the new government. and TO
Doe ready % De- presented when Mr.. Arm
strong was satisfied that the Empire was
'in possession and control of the govern
mental DOWcr and the territory of the
nation. the usual conditions precedent in
al cases of recognition by the United
states Government"
a similar course was followed upon the
ablicatiOn of Napoleon and the restOra-
ton of the monarchy Of 1871
The next radical change I'm the form
Of the French Government was the re-
public Of lSiS. The Provisional Govern
ment was proclaimed on the morning of
February -. 1915. and was recognized by
Mr.. Ruth. the American Minister on the
2Sth, by an address TO the members Of
'he new government New credentials
were sent 10 Mr. Rush. and the President
expressed his approval of the Minister'S
course in being first TO recognize the
new republic
"Within q few years" continues the
memorandum. "it became again necessary
for the American Government 10 signify
ms view of another revolution Of power
in France on the decree Of the second
empire and the accession OF Napoleon Ill
This recognition was effected by am in
slruction to- that effect, and new au-
diencc i'm the usual way, to Mr.. Rives. our
Minister at PARIS. with renewal OF the
assurance that. "the United States gladly
recognized the right of every nation 20
determine the form Of its own govern
m4nt."
At the close of the Franco-German war
the deposition of Napoleon III. ana the
proclamation of the republic by Gam
beta. Minister Washburne was authorized
by telegraph 10 recognize the republic
1N7U Mr. Davis. Acting Secretary OF
State. first instructed Mr.. Washburne 20
recognize the provisional government. ii
"in possession and control" His second
dispatch was unconditional, and directed
recognition: the third instructed him 90
tender the Presidents congratulations
upon the establishment Of a republican
government when the pr0per moment
should arrive TO communicate them.
March II. 1871. Mr.. Fish telegraphed Mr.
Washburne 10 recognize the goyernmeni
OF NJ. Thiers."
SOUTH AMERICA.
The independent states of South Ameu-
Ca were recognized hy President Monroe
who dispatched ministers 10 the Argen-
tine Republic January ~. 1sZ3; chile
january 70. iS-3. and Mexico. january g.
ls23. Colombia was recognized boy the
Presidents reception OF Mr.. Samue.
Torres as Charge d'Affairs. January is cor
I'D. lS22 At This tiue colombia consist.
Of what afterwards became Ecuador. New
Granada. and Venezuela. by separation.
Brazil declared Independence September
9. 1S-2 and Pedro J.. son of King Jon W.
Of Portugal. was proclaimed Emperor De
ccmher j, ls-2. The iniepenaence OF the
empire was recognized by the President
reception of Senor RebellO as Minister Ia
the United states May TO- 1921.
The federation OF Central American
States was recognized 10y the President .
reception of Mr.. Cana as Minister Angus
e. ls24 This federation consisted of Oh,
States of Honduras, Guatemala ami
Nicataeua. Costa Rica. and san Salvacot
The Kingdom of Hawaii was recog-
nized in 1875. when Captain Thomas Ap
Catcsby Jones WAS sent there go nesu-
tiate treaty which was signed by The
King. December 23 1896. The Provisional
Government of Hawaii was recognized
by the negotiation of the annexation
treaty of February "a. 1893.
The independence OF Texas WAS recOg
nized by the sending of Mr Id Brauche.
as Charge dAnailes, March Z, 1897. after
the President had satisfied himself that
tine ue,NN-organiZed government was in
possession aud control and capable of
maintaining its status. and after Mexico
attempted invasion had been abandoned.
other cases mentioned in the memo
rarQum. where the recognition Wa-
complete ly the action OF The ENecutiv,
alone. wcr, those of Belgium. in 1872,
fnlf NNNs 900 1870 AA .|if Art'f 600 iN
ISIS: san DomiuL0. iu 1896, Korea in lsi>
the present Empire OF Germany in 1871
the congo Ffec State iu lsn; Roumauia
los various acts. I'm lS'6 and 1880, SerVia.
ln 1854 and the various Central American
States.
The Greater Republic Of Central
America ONy0 Was recognized by the
Presidents reception ON December 81
1856. of its Minister MI. Rodriguez. viii
the understanding that 40 existing ob.i.
nations of amy of the States comuri
ins the new nation Honduras. Nicaragua.
and sdlyador-sh0uld be regarded ds
lapsed The President had been advise.
by ceremonial letter of September 3D.
1896. OF the decree establishing the he"
government.
Dulomatic relations between the Unite
States and the independent States of the
American Continental system have beer
Substantially. though not actually. coz
tfnuel since their first assumption. au.
tho governments resulting from the revo
lntious and c0ul 'er-rcvOiutious in Contra
aua South America have al from ih'
noint of view Of recognition been treate.
I'm the simplest way. When the estat
rstment of new government has bee.
satisfactorily proven, ana ifs stabilit
has been proved to be suitably
fixed ln the VIII of the people, its rfcogn
ton had followed by direct INSTRUCTION
TO The American ministers ON The groun-
as "a rule: tine reception OF "a dip!omat,
agent by the President OF the Unite
states. or eNcQuatur TO consul
RrVOLUTIONARy GOVERNMENTS
Recognizing foreign revolutionary or re-
dictionary governments 'is held TO be eX-
clu-ivc.y ior the Executive and cannO
ne determined internationally 10y congres
sional action" instructions TO Adam
and Conger Brazil 1889 and 1880. IN
etrrction 20 Egan. Chile, iS9l-'2.
The memorandum concludes with not
that saws the facts narrated have beer
gathered i'm an examination Of the record
of the state Department. Other authori