Office of the Historian

No. 669.

[Circular.]
Department of State,
Washington, December 3, 1873.

To the diplomatic officers and consuls-general of the United States:

I herewith inclose a copy of the President’s message to Congress, and of an accompanying protocol* of a conference between the Secretary of State and the Spanish minister. I invite your particular attention to the latter. There is no reason to believe that Spain will find herself unable to comply with her engagements to the United States respecting the Virginius; yet it is proper that your attention should be called to the emergency, which it is hoped has now passed away, in order that you may exercise vigilance in watching the course of future events.

Your obedient servant,

HAMILTON FISH.
  1. See correspondence with Spanish minister, infra.↩