No. 13.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16ти OCTOBER, 1897. $57
SIR,
BRITISH CONSULATE,
BARCELONA,
April 6th, 1897.
I have the honour to forward, enclosed herewith,"copy of a despatch respecting the "Spanish Swindle" I addressed to the Vice-Consuls at Valencia and Tarragona, also a copy of a reply received from the Vice-Consul at Tarragona, together with the enclosures in original.
Your Excellency will observe that the Vice-Consul states that the swindlers are turning their attention to the Colonies, and, should Your Excellency think it advisable, I would respectfully suggest that Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs be consulted as to the advisability of warning the Governments of the Colonies through the Colonial Office.
I am happy to be able to report that the steps which have been taken to check the Swindle at Barcelona have apparently been successful, at least for a time, as no further complaints have reached this Consulate for some time, and there is an apparent,total absence of British Bauk Notes in the hands of the Exchange Offices here.
His Excellency,
The Right Hon. Sir HENRY DRummond Wolff, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.
SIR,
I have, &c.,.
W. WYNDHAM,
H.M. Consul.
BRITISH CONSULATE,
BARCELONA,
March 31st, 1897.
The old "Spanish Swindle" which has been so long practised from this city, of which you are doubtless fully aware, the story told being the old one of the prisoner who has secreted money and has a daughter for whom he proposes to find a guardian, has, I am happy to say, through the efforts of this Consulate, the Foreign Office and Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid, become for the time being. almost extinct at Barcelona, where the police have been obliged to follow up the swindlers.
As it is very probable that they may change their base of operations to Tarragona or Valencia, I shall feel obliged if you will do all in your power to check the Swindle by reporting to me at once every case that comes to your notice, with copies of letters received and replies thereto, at the same time informing the local authorities of your district of all cases and the addresses to which correspon-
dence is sent.
An energetic campaign conducted against this long-established fraud will, I hope, drive it out of this Consular district.
I have, etc., etc.,
The British Vice-Consul,
Tarragona-Valencia.
WM. WYNDHAM,
H.M. Consul.
No: 10.
SIR,
TARRAGONA,
April 2nd, 1897.
I have to acknowledge receipt of your despatch No. 6, dated March 31st, informing me of the efforts of yourself, the Foreign Office and Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid to suppress, in this Consular district, the operations of the gang of swindlers who carry on the "Spanish Swindle."
I am aware of the method by which it is sought to extract money from British Subjects, for enquiries have been made at this Vice-Consulate by persons who have received letters and documents purporting to emanate from the prison of Tarragona, and I have the honour to enclose a copy of the last enquiry received together with a copy of my reply.
I will report to you any other case that comes to my notice.
Captain WYNDHAM,
H.B.M. Consul,
Barcelona.
I have, &c., &c.,
THOS. ROBINSON,
British Vice-Consul.