Moreover, no specific case had as yet arisen under the regulation calling for official interposition, and even if there had I could not see that a step so formal was requisite, at least until the usual forms of individual and separate representation and appeal to the minister of state had been unsuccessfully tried. I am happy to be able to say that, although alone in my position at first, I eventually led all of my colleagues to agree with me and to relinquish a project which, in my opinion, no matter how effective it might have been in accomplishing the desired result, would naturally have left unpleasant impressions upon the memory of the President and his ministers. It is pleasant to be able to add that subsequent events have vindicated my judgment as to the advantage of the usual and prescribed mode of address, and the promptitude with which the error would be rectified by this government. On the following day I called privately upon Minister Leon, and, assuring him of my great desire to avoid any possibility that might give rise to a question of issue, I laid the matter of these "fire regulations” before him as one calculated to lead to trouble at some future time unless it was immediately looked into. Minister Leon was inclined to differ with me in my judgment of the legality of the clauses in question, but decided to bring them at once to the attention of the President. On the subsequent morning he asked me to meet him, which I did at the hour appointed. His first proposition was to reduce the amount of the "penalty tax" on foreigners to the same figure as the "military exemption tax imposed on natives." To this I demurred, on the ground that the payment of even one dollar would invalidate the principle for which I contended; and, moreover, that there was no objection urged to the amount of the tax if it were legally and properly levied. Thereupon, after a further consultation with the President, Minister Leon agreed to order that the clauses relative to foreigners shall not be enforced, and that at the meeting of the national congress in August next, a system shall be devised entirely acceptable to all foreigners. I may add, that the authorities evidently fully and thankfully appreciated my motives in directing attention to the matter, which might otherwise have had a sequel in claims for damages and disagreeable difficulties. I likewise am pleasantly impressed with the desire hereby evinced by the government to follow out its late declaration regarding foreigners (contained in my dispatch No. 59) and to render its regulations legally acceptable to them. The result of my negotiations has given general satisfaction to the diplomatic corps here, all of whom will wait on Minister Leon and make known their appreciation of the courtesy and promptitude evinced in the premises. In this connection, I am anxious to ascertain whether, in the view of the Department, a foreign government can demand even the personal civil service of an American citizen there resident in any capacity what ever. Trusting that my action will receive the approval of the Department, I have, &c., E. RUMSEY WING. P. S.-It may not be foreign to the subject to add that I have advised our countrymen resident at Guayaquil to show a practical proof of their appreciation of the action of the national authorities, and that their objection to the "fire-tax" was based upon no factious or niggardly reason, but simply because of the manner in which the tax was sought to be levied, by a voluntary contribution for the benefit of the "fire department." Such action would not only be in accordanc with strict justice, but will, I am confident, add much to the prestige which our countrymen happily enjoy in Ecuador. As a material example, I took occasion to head the list with a very decent contribution, and the movement will, I am convinced, prove a success in every sense of the term. E. R. W. No. 74.] No. 78. Mr. Wing to Mr. Fish. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Quito, Ecuador, February 15, 1871. (Received March 16.) SIR Referring to my recent dispatch, No. 64, I desire to lay before the Department certain documents which conclusively establish the military nature of the "fire organization" described in that dispatch, and fully bear me out in my action in the premises. I forward copies (A and B) of the recent correspondence between the 'ommanding general at Guayaquil and the secretary of war, in this city, (Cau D,) being translations of the same. It will be perceived that the said "the department" is absolutely under the control and supervision of the commanding general, and that in the answer to his communication the minister of war explicitly states that said department is a bona fide military organization, and its members liable, in certain contingencies, to be coerced into the regular army of Ecuador. I have, &c., C. E. RUMSEY WING. REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR, GENERAL COMMANDANT'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT, SIR: The penalty that the "fire regulations" impose upon the firemen for failure of service is only limited to fines and arrests. As this corps is reputed to be in the condition of national guard, destined solely for fire service, by the necessity that there is for them in the city, I inquired of the supreme government, through your respectable intervention, if the punishment of fines and arrests is to be extended only until four consecutive absences, of which the national guard law speaks, or must the same punishment be continued indefinitely, even when they exceed that number. If such is the case, the national guard will be in a worse condition than the fire corps. His Excellency MINISTER OF STATE, in the Dispatch of War and Navy. FRANCISCO J. SALAZAR. D. REPUBLIC OF EUCADOR, STATE OFFICE, Your appreciated communication No. 41, under date of 28th of the past month, was duly received at this department, explaining that the "fire regulations" only impose upon the firemen for failure of service the penalty of fines and arrests, and this corps, being like the national guard, and destined only for fire service by the necessity there is for them in that city, you inquire if the punishment of fines and arrests should be extended only to the four consecutive failures of which the law of national guards speaks, or has the same penalty to be continued indefinitely the same, even when they exceeded that number, urging at the same time that the active national guard, in time, will be in worse condition than the fire corps. His excellency the President of the republic has resolved that, considering the fire corps as a national guard, the Ecuadorians enlisted in it, who fail in attendance to exercise four consecutive times without a verified just cause, shall be enlisted in the army, it being understood that these failures are when in case of fire they do not repair to lend immediate aid. SECUNDINO DARGUEA. His Excellency GENERAL COMMANDER OF THE DISTRICT OF GUAYAQUIL. No. 79. No. 35.] Mr. Fish to Mr. Wing. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, March 23, 1871. SIR: Your dispatch No. 64, of the 30th of January, in regard to the regulations of the fire department, so far as it imposes personal service upon foreigners, or an exemption tax, has been received. In reply I have to inform you that your refusal to unite with other members of the diplomatic body in Quito in a formal remonstrance against the same was discreet and is approved, as is also your subsequent conduct on that occasion, the propriety of which is shown by the result. I am, &c., HAMILTON FISH. No. 116.] No. 80. Mr. Wing to Mr. Fish. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Quito, Ecuador, July 3, 1871. (Received August 14.) SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a duplicate of the articles of armistice between the allied republics of the Pacific and Spain. I attach hereto a copy and translation of the note with which it was transmitted to me by the minister for foreign relations for Ecuador, (1 and 2.) No. 3 is my own acknowledgment of its reception. General satisfaction is expressed in regard to the peace which is substantially assured by this treaty. I have, &c., No. 2. [Translation.] E. RUMSEY WING. FOREIGN OFFICE OF ECUADOR, The undersigned, minister of foreign affairs, has the honor to address himself to the minister resident of the United States, in order to send him the duplicate of the ratification by the Ecuadorian government of the articles of the temporary truce agreed upon in Washington by the representatives of the allied republics of the Pacific and that of His Catholic Majesty, in order that, according to the indication of your excellency's government, the exchange may be confirmed by duplicate. The undersigned is happy to renew to his excellency Señor Wing, &c., &c. FRANCISCO JAVIER LEON. His Excellency MINISTER RESIDENT of the United States of America. No. 3. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the duplicate of the ratification by the Ecuadorian government of the articles of armistice agreed upon in Washington between the representatives of the allied republics of the Pacific and of Spain. I will forthwith transmit that duplicate to his excellency the Secretary of State, in Washington, who will make the requisite disposition of it. Renewing the assurances of my very distinguished consideration, I have the honor to remain, &c., His Excellency Señor FRANCISCO JAVIER LEON, RUMSEY WING. Minister of Foreign Affairs, fe., &'c., fc. No. 137.] No. 81. E. R. Wing to Mr. Fish. UNITED STATES LEGATION, Quito, Ecuador, August 26, 1871. (Received October 2.) SIR: Observing that a very general interest has been evinced throughout the United States concerning the "cundurango," I have deemed it proper to forward a few facts relative thereto, in addition to the statements contained in my dispatches 54 and 61. I have been literally overwhelmed with letters on the subject from all parts of America and several of the countries of Europe, containing all sorts of inquiries, requests, suggestions, propositions, and demands. I have endeavored to answer such of these letters as in my judgment deserved it, courteously and explicitly, but unfortunately my medical attainments have not permitted me to reply to all the intricate interrogatives upon the subject of pharmacy, surgery, botany, chemistry, materia medica, therapeutics, &c., &c., that have been propounded to me. Nor, on the other hand, have I felt financially justified in sending "just a small box of the wood" to the numerous applicants who have made such requests. From matters that have come to my knowledge I trust that there will soon be an ample supply of the drug in the United States. Despite the adverse opinions that I hear have been rendered against it in some medical quarters in North America, I am still not disposed to surrender my faith in its remarkable curative properties. Of course, I am not prepared to enter upon any theoretical or scientific analysis thereof, but I cannot shut my eyes to the practical results of its use not only in this country, but in eminent and responsible quarters in the States, two at least of which must be within the knowledge of the Department. From the facts originally reported to me, I first felt it a matter of official duty and of real humanity to call attention to the "cundurango." I believe that it is always best to risk the chance of failure, rather than to neglect to test an experiment which may result in infinite good. I am now awaiting the effect in three notable cases, which will be ultimately reported to the Department. The American consul at Guayaquil will soon be able to forward to the Department various facts in regard to the wood, as he is now giving it close and careful attention and investigation. A medical gentleman from Washington, who came to Ecuador with high credentials, also reports very favorably concerning it. President Moreno conceived it of sufficient importance to advert to it in his mes sage of August 10 to the Ecuadorian Congress. If I may place credence in the opinions of medical men here, who have had the advantages of fine training and much practice, it has also proven very beneficial as well in neuralgic and rheumatic affections as in those set forth in my original communication. It must be a powerful nervous stimulant, and in due season may become of use in the treatment of the spinal, cerebral, and paralytic diseases to which our people seem so singularly liable. It certainly has eradicated in more than one instance what was called cancer. Further exploration has evinced the existence of several classes of the plant or vine, generally known as "cundurango" among the natives, which vary very much in their effects upon disease. Hence the correspondence hereto appended (copy and translation 1 and 2) may be essential to purchasers and consumers. Doubtless there is danger that ignorant or reckless speculators may foist an inferior or worthless article upon the markets; and that the genuine and efficacious species may not everywhere receive a thorough and proper trial. Hence much care should be exercised until the best quality has become well known to drug dealers and the medical fraternity. The publication of an accurate chemical analysis and physical and fibrous description of the wood sent to the Department some months ago would be valuable in this connection. No export tax has as yet been imposed upon the article by this gov ernment, but I learn that such an one will soon be levied. Several parties are already engaging largely in its exportation, and, judging from appearances, there will soon be many more in the same traffic. Since this drug was first called to my attention, several local remedies used here in the treatment of certain other obstinate diseases have been mentioned to me. I prefer, however, not to enter into any statement relative to them until I am more fully convinced of their utility. I have, &c., No. 2. RUMSEY WING. REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR, WAR OFFICE, By order of his excellency the President of the republic, and for the consequent ends, I have the honor to remit the original of the dispatch sent to the commanding general of the district by the inspector of the military hospital. To the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. S. DARGUEA. |