No. 527.

Mr. Reed to Mr. Frelinghuysen .

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.,

DWIGHT T. REED.
[Page 700]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 314.—Translation.]

Baron Blanc to Mr. Reed .

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.,

BLANC.

I have directed a similar communication to the minister of state.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 314.]

Mr. Reed to Baron Blanc .

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.,

DWIGHT T. REED.