No. 419.
Mr. Adee to Mr. Fish.
Madrid, April 18, 1872. (Received May 7.)
Sir: With reference to your instruction No. 67, of the 1st instant, and the expression conveyed therein of the President’s gratification on learning “that the Spanish government is at length awaking to the necessity of marking with its displeasure some of the atrocities of which Cuba has so long been the theater, and that a pardon is to issue to the [Page 552] unfortunate young students whose companions were so cruelly murdered under the sanction of a pretended judicial decree, which outraged humanity, defied civilization, and put justice to scorn,” I have the honor to observe that, although the language condemnatory of that occurrence used by Mr. de Bias in our conference of the 12th ultimo was even stronger and more unequivocal than the words of my report, his excellency has not since seen fit to allude to the circumstance on the several occasions on which we have met, nor has any official action in the premises yet been made public. A ministerial journal, (not an official organ, however,) in a recent issue, alluding to the rumor that a pardon of the students was contemplated, confined its remarks to a statement that full details had been asked for from Havana, and an opinion that no imputation could be fixed on the “chivalrous and patriotic volunteers.”
I shall take an early opportunity to mention to Mr. de Bias the pleasure with which the President has learned of his frank expressions, communicated to you under reserve, in accordance with his permission.
I am, &c.,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.