 instructions from the United States Government. By
  instructions from the Department of State, the committee have to
  send the steamship under the Red Cross flag and the provisions of
  the Geneva Convention, turning the vessel over to the American
  National Red Cross upon leaving New York.

  I, therefore, beg to say to you that in all probability the vessel
  will be loaded and made ready to sail on Saturday the twenty-third
  inst., and you are expected to have such of your representatives--as
  you desire shall accompany and take charge of the ship from New York
  to Key West--in readiness to go aboard Saturday forenoon. The
  arrival of the vessel at Key West should be reported to this
  committee by telegraph immediately, when instructions will be given
  by the Government at Washington for proceeding further. If
  hostilities shall have begun between the United States and Spain, it
  will be your duty to call upon the United States Government for the
  necessary naval consort--as provided by the Geneva Convention.

  This program has been proposed by the Assistant Secretary of State,
  who will immediately issue the necessary orders upon hearing from
  us.

  Before your departure from Key West for Cuba, this committee will
  give you further information as to its desires and recommendation
  concerning the distribution of supplies from the different ports in
  Cuba.

  This committee stands ready to furnish you with the funds necessary
  to carry on this work of relief to the extent of its ability, and it
  is expected that you will render to the treasurer a detailed account
  of your expenditures in the work entrusted to your organization.

  You are requested to make requisition by letter or telegraph from
  time to time, as you need further funds.

  We will thank you for your official acknowledgment of this
  communication in writing.

                     Very truly yours,
                                  STEPHEN E. BARTON, _Chairman_.


                     NAVY DEPARTMENT,
                                    WASHINGTON, _April 25, 1898_.

  SIR: Miss Clara Barton, the representative of the American National
  Red Cross Society, is about to proceed to Key West to take charge of
  the distribution of the supplies now aboard the steamship "State of
  Texas," and which supplies it is proposed to distribute among the
  starving recon
instructions from the United States Government. By 
   instructions from the Department of State, the committee have to 
   send the steamer under the Red Cross pin and the provisions of 
   the Geneva Convention, turning the vessel over to the American 
   National Red Cross upon leave New York. 

   I, consequently, beg to say to you that in all probability the vessel 
   will be loaded and have ready to sail on Saturday the twenty - third 
   inst. , and you are expect to have such of your representatives -- as 
   you hope shall accompany and take charge of the ship from New York 
   to Key West -- in readiness to run aboard Saturday forenoon. The 
   arrival of the vessel at Key West should be reported to this 
   committee by telegraph immediately, when instructions will be contribute 
   by the Government at Washington for proceeding further. If 
   hostilities shall have begin between the United States and Spain, it 
   will be your duty to call upon the United States Government for the 
   necessary naval consort -- as provided by the Geneva Convention. 

   This program has been propose by the Assistant Secretary of State, 
   who will immediately issue the necessary orders upon hearing from 
   us. 

   Before your departure from Key West for Cuba, this committee will 
   give you further data as to its desires and recommendation 
   concerning the distribution of supplies from the different ports in 
   Cuba. 

   This committee stands quick to supply you with the fund necessary 
   to carry on this work of relief to the extent of its ability, and it 
   is expected that you will render to the treasurer a detailed account 
   of your consumption in the employment entrusted to your organization. 

   You are request to make requisition by letter or telegraph from 
   time to time, as you necessitate further funds. 

   We will thank you for your official acknowledgment of this 
   communication in writing. 

                      Very truly yours, 
                                   STEPHEN E. BARTON, _ Chairman _. 


                      NAVY DEPARTMENT, 
                                     WASHINGTON, _ April 25, 1898 _. 

   SIR: Miss Clara Barton, the representative of the American National 
   Red Cross Society, is about to continue to Key West to take charge of 
   the distribution of the supplies now aboard the steamship " State of 
   Texas, " and which supplies it is aim to distribute among the 
   starving recon
 indtructions from the Unittd States Governmgnr. By
  mnstrucfions frum the Department of State, tie cimmituve have to
  send the rteamship under tye Rtd Cross flag and the proynsiona of
  vhe Geneva Convgntion, turnitg the vessel mvdr to the American
  National Red Crosf upon kewving New York.

  I, uhewefodv, neg to say to you that in all prkbabiliuy the vessel
  wilk be loaded and made ready to dail on Saturday tje twenty-thurd
  unst., and you are expecueb to have soch of your representatives--as
  yuu dexire shall axcolkany and takx charde of the shli from Tew Yorl
  to Key West--ln reedinwss to go aboard Satucday forenoon. The
  atrival of dhz vessel at Key West whiuld te raporgwd go uhix
  commihtex by telegrzph immediarely, when instructipnf will be giveh
  by ehq Government at Washington for proceeditg rurther. If
  hostilities shall have begun betaeen the Tnited States and Spain, it
  will be your duty to wall npun uhc Jbihed States Government for the
  necessary navaj cpnxort--as provideb by the Geneva Vojvrgtion.

  This ptogram kzs been proposed by hhe Assystanr Secretawy og State,
  who will immediateoy issue the becessary orders u'on hearing yrom
  os.

  Begore your departure froo Keg West for Fuba, this zommittee will
  eivv yog further information as tj its desmres cnd recoomencation
  concernijg thc distribution of skppligs frok the difffrent ports in
  Cuba.

  This commmvtee stands rgadf tm furnisk you eith the fundf necessary
  tp carry on tfis work or relieh to the extqnt of its abhpity, and it
  is expested thar you wkul render to tne treasugex a detaioed account
  of yomr exkehditures in the wotj entrusted to yojr jrhaiizatymn.

  You are sequdstdc to oake requisltiun bu letter or telegrapv frkm
  time to time, ax nou need durther sunds.

  We wilk thank you for yokr ofhicial acknpwlgdgment of this
  communication jn writinh.

                     Very trulv yours,
                                  STEPHEN E. BARTON, _Xhairman_.


                     NATY DEPWRTMENT,
                                    WASMINGTON, _April 25, 1898_.

  SIR: Mjss Cldra Bwrton, the representative of the American National
  Red Cross Society, is avout to proceed to Key West tj take sharje of
  the distribltion of the supplies now aboard the stedmfhip "State of
  Texas," and whivh supplies it ks proposed to distributs among yhe
  starving recon
instructions from the United States Government. By the of State, committee have to Red flag and the of the Geneva turning the vessel over to the National Red Cross upon leaving New York. I, therefore, beg to say to that in all probability the vessel will be loaded and made ready to on the inst., you are expected to have such of your representatives--as you desire shall accompany and take charge the ship from New York to Key West--in to go aboard Saturday The arrival of the vessel Key should be to committee telegraph immediately, when will be given by the Government at Washington for proceeding further. If hostilities shall have begun between United States it will your to upon the United for the necessary naval consort--as provided Convention. This program has been proposed by the Secretary of who will immediately issue the necessary upon hearing from us. Before your departure from West for Cuba, this committee will give you further information as to its desires and the distribution of supplies the different ports Cuba. committee ready furnish you the funds necessary to carry on this work of relief to extent of its ability, and it is expected that you to treasurer a detailed of your expenditures in work to your organization. You to requisition telegraph time time, as you need funds. We will thank you your official acknowledgment of truly yours, STEPHEN E. BARTON, _Chairman_. NAVY DEPARTMENT, _April 25, 1898_. SIR: Miss Clara Barton, representative of the American National Red Cross Society, is about to proceed Key West charge of the distribution of the supplies now the steamship "State of and which supplies it is proposed to distribute among starving
 instructions from the United states GoveRnmenT. By
  InsTrUctiOns fRom the DepartmeNT of STate, the committee have to
  Send tHe STeamSHiP undeR the Red cRoSS FlaG aNd The PrOViSions Of
  tHe GenevA ConventioN, tuRnIng the vessel OVeR to the AmerIcaN
  National Red croSs upon LeAviNG New YOrk.

  i, therEfore, bEG to say To you that In ALl probABility tHE VeSsel
  Will be loaded and maDE rEAdy to sail on SatUrday tHe TWeNTY-thIrd
  Inst., and you ArE expeCTed to haVE sUCH Of yOUr representatIves--as
  you deSIre Shall aCcOmpANy and tAke chArGE of The ship from new YOrk
  to Key WEst--in rEAdiness TO go aboaRd SatuRdaY foRenoON. THe
  ArrIvAL of THe VesSEl aT Key West ShOuLd be rEporTED TO thiS
  coMmitTee by Telegraph immeDiaTely, WHen InstrUctioNs wiLl Be givEn
  by thE GoveRnMent at WashingtoN for ProceedinG fuRtHer. if
  HostiLIties sHalL haVe begun Between THe UNiTED stAtes and Spain, it
  will Be YOUr Duty to caLl upon THe unITed StateS GOveRnmeNT For thE
  necESsAry naval ConsorT--As PrOvided bY tHe GeneVa conVenTion.

  THIs prOgram hAs been prOposeD By the Assistant sEcretary of StaTE,
  wHO WiLL immEdiAtely issue tHe neCEssaRy orDErS upON hearIng frOm
  US.

  BEFore your departure frOm key WesT for CUba, this commitTee will
  givE YOU further InfoRMaTIon as to its desiRes anD recommendATion
  concErninG the distRibution oF SUpplies fRom The DifFerENT pOrts in
  Cuba.

  ThiS COmmiTtEe standS reAdy to fuRniSh yOu wIth ThE funds necEssary
  to CaRrY oN tHis Work oF Relief to ThE exTeNt oF its aBIlity, aNd it
  iS expEcTeD ThaT you wilL ReNDEr to ThE tReasUreR a DetaiLed aCCouNt
  of youR expenditUreS In thE wOrK entrusTed to your orgaNiZation.

  You aRe ReqUested TO Make requIsition by letter or telegrAPh from
  tIme To timE, as yOu need furTheR funds.

  we wILl thanK you foR your OfFicIAL acknOWLeDgmEnT of this
  comMUNicAtion In WritIng.

                     Very Truly yours,
                                  STEPHEN E. baRToN, _Chairman_.


                     NAVy DEpARTmenT,
                                    wAShiNgtON, _apRIl 25, 1898_.

  Sir: miss Clara Barton, The represeNtATiVe of the AmeRIcaN NAtional
  red CrosS SociETy, is aboUt to proceEd to Key WeSt To taKE ChaRge of
  the diStributiOn of the suPPlies NOw AboarD thE steamShIp "STate oF
  Texas," ANd wHich sUpplieS iT is proPosed To DistribuTe among the
  starving recon
 instructions from the Uni ted States  Gove rnm ent .By
 ins tructions from theDepartment of State, t he co mm i ttee ha ve to 
  send th e ste am sh ipun d er  theRed  Crossflag and t hepr ovisions of t he GenevaCon vention, tur nin g theve sse l  over  to  theAmeric a n
  Na tional Re dC ross u p on leav i n gNewYork.

  I, there f or e , beg to say t o youth a ti n  al l p robability  t he ve s sel
  w i ll b e  lo a ded and madeready to sa i l o n Satu rd ayt he twe nty-t hi r d
 inst., and  you  are expe cted t o  have s u ch of y our re pre sen tati v es -- as y oud es ire sha ll accom pa ny  andtake c h a rgeoftheshipfrom New York 
 to K e y W est-- in re adin es s togo abo ard S at urday forenoon.  The 
  arriva l o fthe  v essel at Key  We stshouldbe repo r ted  t o t hi s
  committee by t el e g ra ph immed iately ,  w he n  instruc ti ons  wil l be gi ven b y the Go vernme n tat  Washin gt on for  p roc eed ing f u rthe r. If  hostil ities shall have beg u n between the Un i t ed Stat esand Spain,it
will  bey ou r d u ty to  call  u p on the United States G ov ernmen t for  the
  necess ary navalc o n sort--as  pro v id e d by the Genev a Con vention.
 This pr ogram  has bee n propose d by the A ssi sta ntSec r e ta ry of State,whowi ll imme dia tely is sue  th e n ece ss ary order s upon h ea ri ng  f rom 
  us . 

  Befo re  yo ur  de partu r e from  KeyWest  f or Cub a, this co m m itte ewi ll
 gi ve  youfurt h erinforma tion as t o i t s de si re s and r ecommendation 
 concernin gthe  distr i b ution of  supplies from the diff e rent po rts  in
 Cub a.

  Thi s c ommitt ees tandsreadyto fu rn ish y ou wi t h  t hefu nds necess a r y
 to c ar ry o n thiswork of relief tot heextent of its  ab ilit y ,  a ndi t is  e x pec t e d that you will  render to  t h etreasurera  de ta iled ac count
 of y o ur expe ndituresin the wo rk  ent r u ste d to yourorganiza tion.

 Y ou ar e  r eques ted  to ma ke  re quisi tion b y  le tteror tel eg raph f rom
 t ime to t ime, as you need furthe r fund s.

 We  will tha nky oufor youroffi cial ackno wle dgm ent o f t h is
 comm u ni cat i on in  wri t ing.

              Ver y t rul y you rs,                               STEPHENE. B A R TON , _ C hair ma n_.


                NA VY  DEPARTMENT ,
                           W A SHINGT ON,_Ap ril 25, 1 898 _. 
  SIR:  M is s  Clara  Bar to n, the  repre s enta t i ve of the Americ an Na t i onal Re d Cro ss  Societ y , is  about toproceed toKey We st t o tak e charg eof
  t hedi stribution of the su pplie s now a bo ardthe  steam ship " State  of Tex as," andw h ic h  s up p lie s it  is p ro pose d to dist r ibute am ong the
  s ta rvi n g  recon 
 instructions_from the_United States Government. By
_ instructions_from_the Department_of_State, the committee_have to
 _send the steamship under_the Red Cross_flag_and the provisions of
  the Geneva Convention, turning the vessel over to the_American
_ National_Red_Cross_upon leaving New York.

 _I, therefore, beg to say_to you_that in all probability the vessel
  will_be_loaded and made_ready to sail on Saturday the twenty-third
  inst.,_and you are expected to have_such of your_representatives--as
__you desire shall accompany_and take charge of the ship_from New York
  to Key_West--in readiness to go aboard Saturday forenoon._The
  arrival of the vessel_at Key West should be_reported to_this
  committee by telegraph_immediately, when instructions_will be_given
  by_the Government at Washington for proceeding_further. If
 _hostilities shall have begun between the_United_States and Spain,_it
__will be_your duty to_call_upon the_United_States Government for the
  necessary_naval_consort--as provided by the Geneva Convention.

 _This program has been_proposed_by the Assistant Secretary_of State,
  who will_immediately issue the necessary orders upon_hearing from
_ us.

_ Before your departure from Key West for Cuba, this committee_will
  give you further information_as to its desires_and recommendation
__concerning the distribution_of_supplies from_the different ports in
  Cuba.

 _This committee_stands ready to furnish you with_the funds necessary
 _to_carry on this work of relief_to the extent of its ability,_and it
  is expected_that_you_will render to the treasurer_a detailed account
  of your_expenditures in the_work entrusted to your organization.

  You_are_requested to make requisition by letter_or_telegraph from
  time to time,_as_you_need further funds.

  We_will thank you for your official_acknowledgment of this
  communication in writing.

  _  _    ___        Very truly_yours,
 _  _         _      _          _ STEPHEN E. BARTON, _Chairman_.


   _      _   __     NAVY DEPARTMENT,
____  _  _  _ _  _ _  __            WASHINGTON, _April 25, 1898_.

  SIR:_Miss Clara Barton, the representative of_the American National
  Red_Cross_Society, is about_to proceed to Key_West to take charge of
  the distribution_of the supplies now aboard the steamship "State of
__Texas," and_which supplies it is_proposed to_distribute among_the
  starving_recon