Your criticism on the tone and character of our Consular representatives in Samoa is just. But with the pittance allowed for salary, it was difficult, indeed impossible, to obtain men of adequate ability. Under my urgent applications the pay was raised from $1500 to $2000, and at this session I have succeeded in getting the salary placed at $3000.
The Senate Committee have been examining in secret the present Consul, to see whether some error or something of discredit to me could not be unearthed. But all I want is the whole history to be made public. Nevertheless you can appreciate such treatment of the head of a Department.
I shall endeavor to get a sensible, good-tempered man as soon as I can, though the time for me is short to do so.
I cannot avoid anxiety, lest the indiscretion of some naval officer, on one side or the other, may lead to a broil, which may expand itself. But I have been so single-minded in pursuing justice and friendly relations with Germany, as I believe my correspondence will thoroughly prove, that I believe we will find a clear channel and come to a worthy settlement.
I thank you for your letter, and shall continue to believe you the friend of our country and of
I read your letter to the President.
TO THOMAS F. BAYARD
I thank you very much for your very kind letter of the first instant, and am glad that my conversation with Count Arco has your approval. I rejoice with you at the favorable turn things have taken, and I am sure that when the whole history of the business becomes known, you will receive full justice at the hands of public opinion. If you could conduct this business to the end, the country might feel perfectly safe.
It would seem to me that, if the conference proposed by
