No. 250.
Mr. Schlözer to Mr. Fish.
Washington, December 14, 1874. (Received Dec. 14.)
Sir: During the late absence of a German diplomatic representative in Peru, the United States Government had kindly authorized their legation at Lima to protect German interests in that country.
[Page 577]The secretary of the United States legation and chargé d’affaires ad interim, Mr. Brent, and afterward the minister, Mr. Thomas, have, during the said period, by very wise and energetic action, succeeded in making the Peruvian government agree on an arbitrary settlement of a number of German claims pending since 1868. The work of the mixed arbitrary committee being now complete, and the payment of the claims not far distant, my government is fully aware that a difficulty of long standing between German subjects and the government of Peru has thus been finally and effectually solved through the instrumentality of the United States legation.
Prince Bismarck has, therefore, requested me to transmit to the United States Government the very warmest thanks of the imperial government for such effective protection of German interests in Peru, and he also particularly wishes me to express the full appreciation and sincere gratitude of the German government to Minister Thomas and Mr. Brent for their successful efforts in this matter under difficult circumstances. In carrying out the chancellor’s request through this note, I beg you respectfully to have the kindness to be the interpreter of the thanks of my government to Minister Thomas and Mr. Brent. Accept, &c,