Mr. Prevost to Mr. Seward.
Sir: On the 17th of the present month the first instalment of the claims against the government of Ecuador, adjusted by the mixed commission under the convention between the United States and Ecuador, became due.
On the 24th of January last I directed an official note to Mr. Bustamente, the minister of exterior relations at Quito, advising him of the day the said first instalment would become due; and, strange to say, up to the present time Mr. Bustamente has neither caused the amount to be paid into my hands, nor has he had the civility to answer or even to acknowledge the receipt of my official communication.
I shall now await until the arrival of the mail from Quito, the 24th instant. If payment be not then made, I shall deem it to be my duty to direct another note to Mr. Bustamente, protesting against such a violation of treaty stipulations.
I have the honor to remain your excellency’s obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.