SIR: The Central Cuban Relief Committee of New York, organized by direction and under the authority of the President, for the collection and transmission to Cuba of supplies for the relief of the suffering and destitute in that island, has, after consultation with this Department and with full approval of its course, chartered and dispatched from New York the steamer "State of Texas" laden with supplies and sailing under the ensign of the National Red Cross. The only passengers she carries are officers and employes of the Red Cross for the purpose of assisting in the distribution of this charitable relief. As at present contemplated, the destination of the "State of Texas" is either Matanzas or Cardenas, or perhaps, if circumstances favor, both; but the point of landing will largely be determined by circumstances of which the Admiral commanding the blockading force on the north coast of Cuba will necessarily be the best judge. Miss Clara Barton, president of the American National Red Cross, is about to proceed to Tampa and Key West at which latter point she will go aboard the "State of Texas" upon its arrival there. Upon reaching Key West Miss Barton, as the person in charge of the relief expedition, will report to such naval officer as you may designate and take from him directions as to the movements of the "State of Texas" from that point on. I have the honor to commend Miss Barton to the kind attentions of your Department in order that she may receive, before leaving Washington, such instructions as you may deem it necessary and proper to give her. Respectfully yours, JOHN SHERMAN, _Secretary_. With these credentials, the President and staff of the American National Red Cross immediately proceeded to Key West, and, after reporting to the commandant of the naval station and to the representative of Admiral Sampson, the party boarded the "State of Texas" and awaited an opportunity to carry out the mission of the Red Cross. During the year prior to the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Spain, Cuban families were fleeing from the island, and this exodus continued until war began. The refugees, numbering several thousand, took up their abode at Tampa, Key West and other Atlantic and gulf ports. They had been obliged to leave their native country hastily, leaving nearly all their personal property behind them, and in a short time after their arrival in America were actually without food and with no means wherewith to purchase it.