No. 427.
Mr. Muruaga to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, October 16, 1886. (Received October 18.)
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, has the honor to acknowledge to the honorable Secretary of State the receipt of his note of the 14th instant, with which were transmitted five copies of the proclamation of the President of the 13th of the present month.
The undersigned deplores that, in compliance with his legal duty, the President of the United States has found himself constrained to suspend the effects of the commercial agreement of February 13, 1884, especially at a time when the Government of Spain, by means of considerable reductions in its tariff of consular fees, was endeavoring to smooth the way for the conclusion of a convention; but, nevertheless, the undersigned cherishes the firm, hope that, the American Government being fully convinced of the loyal and sincere disposition of the Spanish Government, fresh negotiations, inaugurated in the arena of equity and reason, will put a speedy end to the present disagreement.
The undersigned improves, &c.