Mr. McKenzie to Mr.
Olney.
United
States Legation,
Lima,
Peru, July 15, 1895.
(Received August 31.)
No. 223.]
Sir: Referring to Department’s No. 115, of June
7, 1895, inclosing a letter of Mr. William Shaud’s, etc., in relation to
the claim of the Hydrographic Commission of the Amazon against Peru,
etc., I have the honor to notify you that I have this day sent the
inclosed communication to the Peruvian foreign office, and will do what
I can to secure the payment of this just and long-deferred claim.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 223.]
Mr. McKenzie to
Senor Candamo.
United States Legation,
Lima
Pent, July 15,
1895.
Mr. Minister: I am directed by my
Government to call your excellency’s attention to the fact that the
long-pending claim of the Hydrographic Commission of the Amazon
against Peru, the justice of which has been acknowledged by the
Peruvian Government, still remains unpaid, and to urge your
excellency to make presentation of the subject before the Peruvian
Congress soon to assemble, and urge that body to make provision for
its early payment.
This is no ordinary case. It is an absolutely just claim, and its
justice has been conceded by your excellency’s Government. It is a
debt clue on contract to American citizens, who imperiled their
lives in the hazardous work of surveying the Amazonian regions of
Peru.
The amount of this claim, as appears by a letter of Dr. Manuel
Yrigoyen, your excellency’s predecessor, to the American minister to
Peru, Mr. Gibbs, of date January 17, 1879, was $11,447.63 gold,
which, at 6 per cent interest for 17 years, amounts to $23,124.08
American gold.
I indulge the hope that your excellency will take such steps that
there be brought about a prompt and final settlement of this
long-standing and very meritorious claim.
I have, etc.,
