No. 527.
Mr. Reed to Mr.
Frelinghuysen
.
Legation of
the United States,
Madrid
,
March 3, 1885.
(Received March 23.)
No. 314.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 312, I have now
the honor to inclose herewith a copy and translation of a note from Baron
Blanc, dated the 2d instant, accepting the position of arbitrator in the
case of the Masonic. I also inclose a copy of my note in reply thereto of
this date.
As Baron Blanc is ready to enter at any time upon the examination of the
case, I beg to renew the suggestion contained in my No. 308, in regard to
any evidence which the owner of the Masonic may desire to furnish.
I have, &c.,
[Page 700]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
314.—Translation.]
Baron Blanc to Mr.
Reed
.
Legation of Italy,
Madrid
,
March 2,
1885.
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I have the pleasure to
acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated the 28th of February
last, in which you inform me that the Government of His Majesty the King
of Spain and the Government of the United States of America having
agreed to submit to the decision of an arbitrator the amount which the
Spanish treasury must pay as indemnification to the owner of the North
American bark Masonic, in virtue of the decreed sentence of the council
of state, dated the 16th of October, 1884, the two Governments had done
me the honor to invite me to accept their powers in order that within a
period which cannot exceed six months, I might examine the damages and
injuries duly proven by the owner of the Masonic, and determine the
pecuniary indemnification which in justice and equity I believe ought to
be assigned to him in view of the liquidation of the interested party,
and of the antecedents which will be furnished me by the ministries of
ultramar and of state and by the legation of the United States in
Madrid.
Believing it my duty to ask the Government of the King, my august
sovereign, authorization to accept so honorable a charge, and it having
conceded such authorization, I put myself at the disposition of the
Governments of Spain and of the United States to fulfill in the most
faithful manner possible the commission mentioned in the cited
communication.
In giving to you my sincere thanks for the flattering phrases with which
you were pleased to inform me of a confidence for which I am profoundly
obliged, I avail myself, &c.,
I have directed a similar communication to the minister of state.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 314.]
Mr. Reed to Baron
Blanc
.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid
,
March 3,
1885.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your excellency’s note of the 2d instant in reply to the note
of his excellency the minster of state and of myself of the 28th ultimo,
inviting your excellency in the name of our respective Governments to
accept the charge of arbitrator in regard to the amount which the
Spanish Government should pay the owner of the North American bark
Masonic as indemnification for the damages and injuries suffered by him
in the seizure and sale of his vessel by the Spanish customs authorities
at Manila.
I have transmitted a copy of your excellency’s note to Washington and my
Government will receive with pleasure the announcement that your
excellency accepts the charge intrusted to you by it and by the
Government of Spain.
I gladly avail, &c.,