No. 625.
General Sickles to Mr. Fish.
[Telegram.]
Madrid, November 18,
1873.
Minister of state replies today, under date of 17th, to my note of 15th, making demand in terms of your cable of 14th.
After an inaccurate statement of our negotiations, minister, in reply to the demand, declares—
- First. That Spain will take no resolution until she is satisfied an offense has been committed against the flag of the United States.
- Second. If it shall hereafter appear that, in violation of treaties or of the law of nations, an injury has been done, Spain will cheerfully make due reparation.
Regarding this as a refusal within the sense of your instruction, I propose, unless otherwise ordered, to close this legation forthwith, and leave Madrid, embarking at Valencia for France, taking the secretary and archives with me.
SICKLES.