No. 304.
Mr. Lowell
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Madrid, October 12, 1877.
(Received November 7.)
No. 15.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that for several
days before the reception of Mr. Seward’s telegram of 26th the legation had
been preparing its statement of the account of claims and interests payable
on the 28th September, being the second and final payment of the awards
passed upon by the mixed commission sitting at Washington, up to and
including the 24th March last. The telegram reached me at nine o’clock on
the evening of the 26th, and the next morning (as I had before intended) I
addressed a note, a copy of which is subjoined, to the minister of state,
inclosing our statement and asking for an interview for the 28th, The same
day I received an answer from Mr. Silvela, informing me that owing to the
occupation of the ministry with the return of the royal family on the next
morning to Madrid, he should be unable to meet me until between two and
three o’clock on the afternoon of Saturday, the 29th. I kept the messenger
waiting while I wrote an answer accepting the appointment and expressing my
satisfaction that His Catholic Majesty’s government would be ready to
conclude the affair on that day.
I accordingly waited on Mr. Silvela at the hour fixed upon, and as I had
already informed him of my object in asking an interview for the 28th, 1
preferred, as a matter of politeness, to speak of other topics first,
leaving it for him to broach the matter of the indemnity, which he
accordingly soon did.
* * * * * * *
He said that as our statement would need to be verified by their own
accountants and the money arranged for, he hoped I should be satisfied if I
received the money within a week. As my instructions were to follow the
precedent set me by Mr. Cushing (and none could be better), and as that
gentleman had waited twelve days, I consented, at the same time saying that,
as I was acting on my own responsibility, and my government would naturally
expect to hear from me at once, I trusted that I could depend upon being
paid within the period for which Mr. Silvela had asked. On Friday evening,
5th October, at eight o’clock, I received a private note from Mr. Silvela,
asking me to meet him on the next day, at 2 p.m., in order to see the
minister of ultramar (to whose department, as relating to Cuba, the matter
belonged), and “to arrange the business of the payment,” &c. I at once
answered by the same messenger that 1 would wait upon him at the ministry at
the time appointed, adding that I was very glad of this exactness on their
part, because, trusting in the; perfect faith of His Catholic Majesty’s
Government, I had already telegraphed to Washington that the money would be
paid within the week. Next day I met Mr. Silvela at the hour appointed, and
went with him to the minister of ultramar, who asked to have the final
settlement postponed until Monday. He asked this as a favor, on account of
unforeseen circumstances, and, as I felt every confidence in their intention
to pay, I consented, but took occasion to inform Mr. Silvela that I had
received a telegram from my government on the subject.
On Monday, at three o’clock, by appointment, I went to the ministry of
ultramar, when I received payment, as promised, in a draft on London at
fifteen days’sight (as in the case of the former half of the indemnity)
[Page 522]
for the sum of £106,768 5s. 1d., which sum included the
interest on such of the awards as bore interest up to the date of payment,
viz, 8th October, 1877.
I subjoin for your further information a copy of our statement of the amount
due on the 28th of September, as also of the one showing the amount of
interest from the 28th September to the 7th October, both inclusive.
* * * * * * *
I sent a special messenger to London at four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon,
that being the first train leaving after receiving the draft. Last evening I
received a telegram from him announcing his safe arrival, and to-day I have
received one from Messrs. Morton, Rose & Co. acknowledging receipt of
the draft.
I beg to add (in my interview with Mr. Silvela) he seemed to think that the
promptitude with which Spain had paid the awards of the mixed commission
entitled her to some consideration from the Government of the United States,
and expressed a hope that future claims should be severely scrutinized, as
he feared that the ready payment of those already passed upon might
encourage claimants with less substantial titles or even tend to create
them. He spoke with much emotion of the difficulties under which his country
labored, and of the efforts she was making to extricate herself, hoping that
our own government would be generous under the circumstances, and that the
American member of the commission would in all doubtful cases strengthen the
hands of his Spanish colleague. He told me that he wished I would
communicate to my government the substance of what he had urged, and I
promised to do so. Mr. Cushing, I am sure, will agree with me in believing
that Spain is sincerely anxious to maintain her friendly relations with the
United States, and willing to do all she can to satisfy all our claims
against her.
A copy and translation of the receipt which I gave, together with a copy of
my note to Mr. Silvela, acknowledging the receiption of the draft, are also
transmitted herewith. * * * *
I trust that my action in the matter may meet with your approval.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure A in No. 15.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, September 27,
1877.
Excellency: In accordance with the precedent of
my predecessor, Mr. Cushing, I have the honor to inclose a statement of
the second moiety of the sums awarded to citizens of the United States
by the mixed commission sitting at Washington, and payable on the 28th
of the present month, under the agreement arrived at by our respective
governments on the 8th of March last. The award to Theodore Cabias (No.
10) having been made no longer ago than 24th March last, was, of course,
not included in the statement of Mr. Cushing, and that of Gonzalo Poey
(No. 66) was, on further consideration by the commission, increased by
the amount of a little more than two thousand dollars. This fact being
brought to the attention of your excellency, it was agreed to include
the whole amount of the two awards in this payment. The interest, as
your excellency will see, is calculated from the 17th March last, that
being the date up to which it was paid on the 28th of the same
month.
I should be greatly obliged if your excellency would appoint an hour
to-morrow in which I could have the pleasure of a few moments’
interview, in order to conclude an affair the prompt settlement of which
has been so honorable to His Catholic Majesty’s government and so
acceptable to that of the United States.
I gladly avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
[Page 523]
[Inclosure B in No. 15.]
Calculated statement of capitals and interests due
on the 28th of September, 1877, from the Government of Spain (in conformity with agreement) on the awards
made in favor of citizens of the United States by the mixed
commission sitting in Washington, up to and including the 24th of March, 1877.
| Number of claim. |
Name of claimant. |
Date of award. |
Amount of award. |
Terms of interest. |
Time of interest. |
Unpaid remainder of principal. |
Interest on remainder of award. |
Interest from March 16 to March 28 (11 days), on first
payment. |
Total amount due September 28, 1877, with interest
included. |
Equivalent in pounds sterling at $4.86.65. |
| Years. |
Months. |
Days. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£. |
s. |
d. |
| I |
Henry Story |
Jan. 4, 1874 |
$1,200 00 |
No interest |
|
|
|
$600 00 |
|
|
$600 00 |
123 |
5 |
10 |
| 4 |
Peter Moliere |
Nov. 2, 1875 |
3,000 00 |
6 per cent., September 1, 1870, to
payment. |
7 |
|
27 |
1,500 00 |
$636 65 |
$2 71 |
2,139 36 |
439 |
12 |
3 |
| 5 |
James M. Edwards |
Dec. 20, 1875 |
5,000 00 |
No interest |
|
|
|
2,500 00 |
|
|
2,500 0.0 |
513 |
14 |
4 |
| 10 |
Theodore Cabias* |
Mar. 24, 1877 |
3,000 00 |
6 per cent., January 15, 1869, to
payment. |
8 |
8 |
13 |
3,000 00 |
1,566 41 |
|
4,566 41 |
938 |
6 |
10 |
| 13 |
Joaquin Gr. de Angarica |
Nov. 2, 1875 |
748,180 00 |
6 per cent., November 1, 1875, to
payment. |
1 |
10 |
27 |
374,090 00 |
12,810 24 |
676 43 |
417,576 67 |
85,806 |
7 |
4 |
| 14 |
Gideon Lowe & Co |
Dec. 12, 1874 |
175 00 |
6 per cent., January 5, 1869, to
December 12, 1874. |
5 |
11 |
2 |
87 50 |
31 10 |
|
118 60 |
24 |
7 |
5 |
| 23 |
José Yicente Brito |
Nov. 14, 1874 |
600 00 |
6 per cent., February 12, 1869, to
November 14, 1874. |
5 |
9 |
2 |
300 00 |
103 60 |
|
403 60 |
82 |
18 |
8 |
| 31 |
Joaquin de Delgado |
Feb. 27, 1875 |
133,360 00 |
8 per cent., May 5, 1869, to
February 24, 1875. |
5 |
9 |
19 |
56,680 00 |
26,308 84 |
|
82,988 84 |
17,053 |
1 |
8 |
| 41 |
José de Jesus H. y. Macias |
June 26, 1875 |
3,000 00 |
No interest |
|
|
|
1,500 00 |
|
|
1,500 00 |
308 |
4 |
7 |
| 66 |
Gronzalo Poey† |
Mar. 24, 1877 |
2,585 60 |
6 per cent., March 8, 1876, to
payment. |
1 |
6 |
19 |
2,387 15½ |
240 76 |
|
2,627 91½ |
540 |
0 |
0 |
| 87 |
Joseph Griffen |
Apr. 10, 1875 |
500 00 |
No interest |
|
|
|
250 00 |
|
|
250 00 |
751 |
7 |
5 |
| 108 |
|
Apr. 8, 1876 |
5,000 00 |
6 per cent., December 4, 1869, to
payment. |
7 |
9 |
24 |
2,500 00 |
1,172 36 |
4
51 |
3,676 87 |
55 |
11 |
0 |
|
|
|
885,600 60 |
|
|
|
|
445,394 65½ |
72,869 96 |
683 65 |
518,948 26½ |
106,636, |
17, |
4 |
[Page 524]
[Inclosure C in No. 15.]
Calculated statement of interests due from the
Government of Spain (from the 28th day of September to the 7th
day of October, 1877, both inclusive)
on such of the awards made in favor of citizens of
the United States by the mixed commission, sitting in Washington, as
bear interest up to the date of payment.
| Number of
claim. |
Name of
claimant. |
Date of
award. |
Amount on
which interest is calculated. |
Terms of
interest. |
Time of
interest. |
Amount of
interest. |
Equivalent in
pounds sterling at $4.86.65. |
|
|
|
|
|
Days. |
|
£. |
s. |
d. |
| 4 |
Peter Moliere |
Nov. 2, 1875 |
$1,500 00 |
6 per cent., September 1, 1870, to
payment |
10 |
$2 46 |
0 |
10 |
1½ |
| 10 |
Theodore Cabias* |
Mar. 24, 1877 |
3,000 00 |
6 per cent., January 15, 1869, to
payment |
10 |
4 93 |
1 |
0 |
3½ |
| 13 |
Joaquin G. de Angarica |
Nov. 2, 1875 |
374,090 00 |
6 per cent., November 1, 1875, to
payment |
10 |
614 94 |
126 |
7 |
3½ |
| 66 |
Gonzalo Poey† |
Mar. 24, 1877 |
2,387 16 |
6 per cent., March 8, 1876, to
payment |
10 |
3 92 |
0 |
16 |
1½ |
| 108 |
Charles Jemot |
Apr. 8, 1876 |
2,500 00 |
6 per cent., December 4, 1869, to
payment |
10 |
4
10 |
0 |
16 |
10½ |
|
|
|
383,477 16 |
|
|
630 35 |
129 |
10 |
8½ |
[Page 525]
[Inclosure E in No.
15.—Translation.]
As the representative of the United States near the Government of His
Catholic Majesty, I declare that I have received on this date the sum of
one hundred and six thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight pounds
sterling five shillings one penny, in a draft on London, at fifteen
days’ sight, to the charge of the London Banking Association, of this
date, acknowledging myself satisfied, in the name of my nation, by the
second installment of the indemnification declared up to the present day
by the arbiters, including the interests of all the credit included in
the foregoing balance due as therein expressed up to this day.
Madrid, 8th October, one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven.
J. R. LOWELL.
[Inclosure F in No. 15.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, October 10,
1877.
Excellency: I cannot allow my dispatches
announcing the payment of the second half of the indemnity to go home
without at the same time expressing to you, and through you to the
Government of His Catholic Majesty, my very great satisfaction at this
renewed proof of the sincere desire of Spain not only to fulfill all her
obligations toward the United States, even when it might seem most
difficult to do so, but to put out of the way every obstacle to cordial
understanding, and every motive of suspicion and ill-will. Of such
obstacles and such motives none could be of a more irritating nature
than those assumptions of irresponsible power on the part of subordinate
officers far from the controlling oversight of the imperial government,
only too natural in troubled times, and whose threatening consequence,
thanks to the considerate policy and cordial good faith of the
government over whose foreign relations your excellency so worthily
presides, are now in course of friendly and honorable settlement without
leaving behind them any seed of bitterness in the wounded pride of one
nation or in the unsatisfied rights of the other.
That such complications should have arisen was only to have been expected
under the circumstances, but that Spain, which in the mean while was
undergoing two changes of dynasty, and had upon her hands two civil wars
in opposite quarters of the globe, should have been willing and able to
fulfill her international obligations with such fidelity and promptitude
is a fact which I am sure I am warranted in saying the President will
appreciate as it deserves.
Let me express the hope that in the few cases of like nature which still
remain under discussion, the Government of His Catholic Majesty will
complete what it has so happily begun, and that the last question at
issue between two nations which have a common interest in peace and the
development of their commercial relations with each other, may be
arranged, as these others have been, to the satisfaction and advantage
of both.
I gladly avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
