Don’t Want American Aid
January 26, 1907
Summary
After an earthquake strikes Jamaica, their governor defiantly refuses aid from the U.S.
Transcription
Don’t Want American Aid
Governor of Jamaica Objects to U. S. Sailors in Kingston.
Kingston, Jamaica, Jan. 21. – Rear Admiral Davis’ mission of mercy to stricken Kingston came to an abrupt and painful conclusion in consequence of Governor Swettenham’s objection to the presence of American sailors engaged in the work of clearing the streets, guarding property and succoring the wounded and sick, culminating in a letter to the admiral peremptorily requesting him to re=embark all parties which had been landed.
Admiral Davis was greatly shocked and pained and paid a formal visit to Governor Swettenham, informing him that the United States battleships Missouri and Indiana and the gunboat Yankton would sail at once.
On the afternoon of the salute incident Rear Admiral Davis wrote Governor Swettenham, apologizing for the salute and offering to render any assistance possible to the stricken people.
Governor Swettenham responded Friday as follows:
“Dear Admiral-Thanks very much for your letter, your kind call and all the assistance given or offered us. While I most heartily appreciate the very generous offers of assistance, I feel it my duty to ask you to re-embark the working party and all parties which your kindness prompted you to land.
“If in consideration of the American vice consul’s assiduous attentions to his family at his country house the American consulate needs guarding in your opinion, although he was present and it was not guarded an hour ago, I have no objection to your detailing a force for the sole purpose of guarding; but the party must have no firearms and nothing more offensive than clubs or staves for this function.
“I find your working party was helping Mr. Crosswell clean his store Crosswell was delighted that the work was done without cost. If your excellency should remain long enough, I am sure almost all the private owners would be glad of the services of the navy to save expense.
“It is no longer a question of humanity; all the dead died days ago and the work of having them buried is merely one of convenience.
“I believe the police surveillance of the city is adequate for the protection of private property. I may remind your excellency that not long ago it was discovered that thieves had lodged in and pillaged the residence of some New York millionaire during his absence in the summer; but this would not have justified a British admiral landing an armed party and assisting the New York police.
“I have the honor to be, with profound gratitude and the highest respect, your obedient servant,
“Alexander Swettenham, Governor.”
Governor of Jamaica Objects to U. S. Sailors in Kingston.
Kingston, Jamaica, Jan. 21. – Rear Admiral Davis’ mission of mercy to stricken Kingston came to an abrupt and painful conclusion in consequence of Governor Swettenham’s objection to the presence of American sailors engaged in the work of clearing the streets, guarding property and succoring the wounded and sick, culminating in a letter to the admiral peremptorily requesting him to re=embark all parties which had been landed.
Admiral Davis was greatly shocked and pained and paid a formal visit to Governor Swettenham, informing him that the United States battleships Missouri and Indiana and the gunboat Yankton would sail at once.
On the afternoon of the salute incident Rear Admiral Davis wrote Governor Swettenham, apologizing for the salute and offering to render any assistance possible to the stricken people.
Governor Swettenham responded Friday as follows:
“Dear Admiral-Thanks very much for your letter, your kind call and all the assistance given or offered us. While I most heartily appreciate the very generous offers of assistance, I feel it my duty to ask you to re-embark the working party and all parties which your kindness prompted you to land.
“If in consideration of the American vice consul’s assiduous attentions to his family at his country house the American consulate needs guarding in your opinion, although he was present and it was not guarded an hour ago, I have no objection to your detailing a force for the sole purpose of guarding; but the party must have no firearms and nothing more offensive than clubs or staves for this function.
“I find your working party was helping Mr. Crosswell clean his store Crosswell was delighted that the work was done without cost. If your excellency should remain long enough, I am sure almost all the private owners would be glad of the services of the navy to save expense.
“It is no longer a question of humanity; all the dead died days ago and the work of having them buried is merely one of convenience.
“I believe the police surveillance of the city is adequate for the protection of private property. I may remind your excellency that not long ago it was discovered that thieves had lodged in and pillaged the residence of some New York millionaire during his absence in the summer; but this would not have justified a British admiral landing an armed party and assisting the New York police.
“I have the honor to be, with profound gratitude and the highest respect, your obedient servant,
“Alexander Swettenham, Governor.”
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Benton Camper
Citation
“Don’t Want American Aid,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/13.