No. 658.
General Sickles to Mr. Fish.
United States Legation in Spain,
Madrid, November 28, 1873. (Received December
23.)
No. 887.]Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith
copies of communications recently exchanged between the Count
Maffei, the Italian charge d’affaires in Madrid, and myself,
respecting the authorization granted to the former by the cabinet of
Rome to take charge of the effects of this legation and of American
interests in event of my departure from Spain.
I am, sir, &c,
[Inclosure 1 in No
887.]
General Sickles to Count Maffei.
United States Legation in Spain,
Madrid, November 24, 1873.
Confidential.]My Dear Count: I conveyed to my
Government the intimation you kindly gave me, that if a request
were made by the President through the diplomatic channel, leave
would be granted to you to take charge of the effects of this
legation, if an occasion should arise to ask your good offices
in that regard.
In reply I am informed that my Government has sent such a
communication to that of His Majesty the King of Italy.
I will thank you to acquaint me with the further instruction you
may receive on this subject, and I in turn shall not fail to
give you timely notice of my movements.
I am, &c,
[Page 965]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
887.]
Count Maffei to General Sickles.
Royal Legation of Italy,
Madrid, November 26,
1873.
Confidential.]My Dear General: I hasten to inform
you, in reply to your note of yesterday’s date, that I have just
received a telegram from my government by which I am authorized
to take charge of the archives of the United States legation and
of American interests and subjects, should you be compelled to
leave this country.
This intimation is made to me in consequence of an official
communication addressed to the Italian government by Mr. Fish;
and while expressing the hope that the present difference may
yet receive an amicable as well as satisfactory solution, I need
not tell you how highly honored I feel by the confidence you
have placed in me, and how earnestly I shall direct all my
efforts, in the event of a complication, to deserve that of your
Government and of any of your countrymen.
I thus hold myself at your entire disposal, and remain,
&c,
[Enclosure 3 in No.
887.]
General Sickles to Count Maffei.
United States Legation in Spain,
Madrid, November 28, 1873.
My Dear Count: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your kind note of 26th instant, in
which you acquaint me of the favorable action of your government
in response to the request of the United States, authorizing you
to take charge of such American interests here as might need
protection in the event of the possible interruption of
diplomatic relations between the United States and Spain.
I thank you sincerely for the cordiality and frankness with which
you have signified your readiness to undertake this task, should
the emergency unhappily arise.
To-day I am able to state, at least semi-officially, that the
question of the Virginius may be regarded as having reached a
diplomatic solution, which I trust will be promptly followed by
the acts of reparation agreed upon, thus avoiding any necessity
to trouble you with an addition to your important duties.
Believe me, &c,
