No. 15.
Mr. Jay to Mr. Fish.
Vienna, March 12, 1873. (Received March 27.)
Sir: Yesterday afternoon Mr. Delaplaine went to the bureau of the exposition to see the Baron Sellwarz-Senborn in regard to the programme [Page 63] of the international congress and the concessions to our Department of a part of the South American transept. Mr. Delaplaine reported to me in the evening, bringing a proof-copy of the programme, and stating that the baron thought it doubtful if we could have much of the South American space, from Brazil claiming a much larger share than she at first asked.
The baron told Mr. Delaplaine that he was annoyed at an application from one Hitzel, who had brought a letter from General Van Buren and a permit for a restaurant; that he did not wish to do anything to displease General Van Buren, but that they had enough restaurants already, and that this would, as he believed, not be to American but a German one, and one of the partners being from Nuremberg. The baron asked for my advice as to what he should do, and begged that I would give it immediately.
Unprepared to meddle in the matter, I sent you, through Stevens, the following: “Fish, Secretary, Washington: Schwarz asks advice. Hitzel, with restaurant-permit, demands place. Schwarz, reluctant, says enough already, and this would be German, not American. What answer? Eleventh, evening. Jay.”
Mr. James, who was here this morning, tells me that he was mistaken in stating to me that there was to be only one French restaurant. There are to be two by first-class Parisian houses.
James showed me the proposed contract for roofing the court, and it will probably be signed to-morrow, the contractors being recommended by both the Baron Schwarz and by the French commissioner. Mr. James asks if the Secretary of the Navy will permit him to bring fifty sailors from the Supply to Vienna for two or three weeks, and to retain six during the exposition. This will enable him, he thinks, without doubt to complete the arrangements in time and at small expense. The English commissioner has a detachment of navy reserves.
Mr. Jewett called upon me this morning and mentioned that Mr. Mayer had demanded from him that he (Jewett) should pay to Hitzel one thousand dollars which Hitzel had paid to Mayer, and that, on Jewettfs refusing to do this, Mayer had demanded that he (Mayer) should have ten per cent. interest in his (Jewett’s) restaurant at the exposition. This demand was also refused. Mr. Jewett says that his lawyer, Mr. Erhart, at 247 Broadway, is acquainted generally with the transaction.
I have, &c.,