Office of the Historian

No. 164.
General Schenck to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
London, May 22, 1873. (Received June 3.)
No. 415.]

Sir: In my No. 399, on the 1st instant, I informed you of my interview and conversation with Earl Granville in regard to taking up negotiation again on the subject of a consular convention.

Since then I have had no communication from his lordship on the matter until the day before yesterday, when I received from him a note, of which I inclose herewith a copy. Referring to my suggestion that there should be an article empowering consuls of one country residing in the other to administer oaths, he states that the subject of consular attributes is receiving the attention of Her Majesty’s government, and that he will communicate with me upon it when he is in possession of the materials to enable him to do so.

This, I understand, as an explanation or apology for necessary delay, and I presume I may, after a while, expect to be furnished with the counter project for which I have asked.

I have, &c.,

ROBT. C. SCHENCK.
[Inclosure No. 1.]

Earl Granville to General Schenck.

Foreign Office, May 17, 1873.

Sir: With reference to the conversation which passed between us some days ago with regard to a consular convention between Great Britain and the United States, in which you incidentally remarked that there should be a power of administering oaths in each country, I have to state to you that the subject of consular attributes is receiving the attention of Her Majesty’s government, and that I shall have the honor of communicating with you upon it when I am in possession of the materials to enable me to do so.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

GRANVILLE.

General Schenck, &c., &c., &c.