1885-February-28: Secretary of State Frederick T.

1885-February-28: Secretary of State Frederick T. Frelinghuysen instructed the American Minister in Paris, Levi P. Morton, to formally inquire about French intentions regarding Haitian territory. The U.S. government had become alarmed by reports that Haiti might cede territory to France in exchange for protection against British claims. Frelinghuysen emphasized that the United States “could not but look with deep concern” at any European territorial acquisitions in the Americas, explicitly citing the “well known and fixed policy” of the Monroe Doctrine.