1891-February-05: Admiral Gherardi continued his aggressive negotiations with Anténor Firmin, presenting the lease of Môle Saint-Nicolas as a way for the Hyp…

1891-February-05: Admiral Gherardi continued his aggressive negotiations with Anténor Firmin, presenting the lease of Môle Saint-Nicolas as a way for the Hyppolite government to prevent future insurgents from using the site as a bargaining chip for American support. Gherardi even sketched a rough chart of the area desired—approximately one square mile—and noted that while the Dominican Republic had already expressed willingness to grant a coaling station, the United States preferred the Môle. He warned that if a favorable reply to his “mild” note was not received, a more forceful demand outlining American claims at length would follow.