No. 573.
Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish.
Fish, Secretary of State, Washington:
Interview with minister of state last night. He repeated and enlarged upon contents of private note. President decided in July to satisfy the claims of Great Britain and the United States. Delay in latter case produced by absence in the ministry of any official knowledge of its own of details in Cuba. Documents only received in last few days. Ministers of state and colonies diligently occupied now in preference to other matters in the preparation of propositions for submission to the United States. He doubts the possibility of consummating the negotiation in a week, but will spare no effort to hasten conclusion. On this and other considerations he prefers to continue the negotiation at Madrid. I feel confident of his sincerity and good faith for many reasons, but will promptly telegraph every suggestion or incident of possible information for the Department.