At this juncture news came that Havana was open. In all the country I knew but one person who had the power to order one of those waiting transports to take myself, staff and some supplies to Havana, and my dispatch went to President McKinley, with the suggestion kindly and thoughtfully made by Major Osgood who had just come in on the “Clinton,” that in order to economize time and labor, possibly the President might furnish a ship already loaded with government supplies, and let us repay from our supplies on shore. This dispatch brought the following prompt reply from the Secretary of War. It was a glad reminder of the kindly courtesy and friendship of many years. I give the text of both the dispatch of the Secretary and my reply, in order to set right a misunderstanding on the part of the public, which I have observed with pain:
Washington, August 18, 1898.
Miss Clara Barton, Santiago de Cuba:
“Clinton” cannot be used until unloaded. Stores aboard were sent on special request and are necessary for the comfort of officers and men at Santiago. The government will send as soon as ship can be loaded at Port Tampa two thousand tons of supplies for relief of destitute. This accomplishes same result and in shorter time. Will not this meet your wishes even better than recommended in your cablegram yesterday? Would it be asking too much for you to go to Havana to superintend the distribution of these stores under the law? Only the destitute and those in immediate danger of perishing can receive these supplies.
R.A. Alger, Secretary of War.
Santiago de Cuba, August 18, 1898.
Pierson, War Department, Washington:
Tell Secretary Alger I appreciate to the greatest possible extent his responsive and practical sympathy. His suggestions are better than I had asked, and are promptly accepted. If the “Clinton” is unloaded in time, I will leave here Saturday morning. Will take forty mules from here. Need ten additional wagons and harness for all my mules. Please give me some horsefeed from here.
Clara Barton.