No. 594.
Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, April 16, 1875.
(Received May 7.)
No. 349.]
Sir: I inclose herewith annexed copy and
translation of a note of this date from the minister of state, informing
me of the determination of the Spanish government to anticipate payment
of the indemnity money in the matter of the “Virginius” by the immediate
delivery of the whole of the first installment and of one-half of the
second.
I shall to-morrow call at the treasury department, and, on receiving the
money, remit the same immediately to Messrs. Morton, Rose & Co., as
instructed by your telegram of the 7th instant, on the best terms
attainable at Madrid.
* * * * * * *
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
349.]
Mr. Castro to
Mr. Cushing.
[Translation.]
Ministry of
State,
The Palace, April 16,
1875. (Received April 16.)
Your Excellency: I fulfill with pleasure
the duty of announcing to your excellency that, according to
information I have received from the minister of finance, there is
[Page 1253]
now current for
collection and at your disposal a treasury order to the value of
225,000 pesetas, the amount of the first installment and half of the
second of the indemnification in the “Vrginius” matter, which sum
will he paid as soon as your excellency is pleased to present
yourself to receive it.
The Spanish government, in anticipating a part of the second
installment of the said indemnification, desires that the Government
of the United States may see therein a proof of the consideration
which is its due and a mark of deference to its representative at
this court for the worthy and noble intervention he has had in this
matter.
I improve this occasion to repeat to your excellency the assurance Of
my most distinguished consideration.
The Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
349.]
Mr. Cushing to
Mr. Castro.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, April 16, 1875.
Sir: I have received with lively
satisfaction your excellency’s note of this date, announcing the
intention of the government of His Majesty to anticipate payment of
the indemnity stipulated by agreement of the 11th of March in the
matter of the “Virginius,” and to that end inviting me to receive
from the minister of hacienda a treasury order for the sum of
225,000 pesetas.
It does not become me to attribute this act in any degree to the
personal considerations kindly suggested by your excellency. I
regard it only in the light of a testimony of fact to the sincerity
of the assurances given by His Majesty on the occasion of my
official reception of his desire to maintain and strengthen the
relations of good-will between our respective governments, in
response to the similar assurances given by the President of the
United States. In this sense, it will be my duty and my pleasure to
transmit your note to my Government.
I embrace the present opportunity of repeating to your excellency the
declaration of my most distinguished consideration.
His Excellency The Minister of
State.
