Mr. Taylor to Mr. Gresham.

No. 357.]

Sir: I have the honor to report the receipt yesterday morning of the following telegram:

Postpone formal acknowledgment of Spain’s last reply in Alliança affair until instructed by the Department after examination.

At the same moment I received the Spanish Government’s last reply in the Alliança affair, which I inclose herein, with translations.

I have simply acknowledged the receipt of this note, stating at the same time that a copy thereof has been forwarded for your consideration.

I am, etc.,

Hannis Taylor.
[Inclosure in No. 357—Translation.]

The Duke of Tetuan to Mr. Taylor.

My Dear Sir: I have had the honor to receive your note dated the 6th instant, in which you inform me that you have transmitted to your Government the text of my note of the 18th of April last, relative to the Alliança incident. In your said note you also embody the telegram addressed to you by the Secretary of State, saying that he awaits the promised further action.

The Government of His Majesty considers it its duty to inform your excellency, as another proof of its sincerity, that by the reports received in this ministry the fact is proven that when the official commanding the Venadito, during the absence of the commander, fired upon the Alliança with the sole purpose of stopping her, and having special care not to hit the American steamer, the latter was outside of the jurisdictional zone of Spain. There was, therefore, an error, though certainly involuntary, and no one laments it more than the Government of His Majesty, whose purpose never was to set obstacles or hindrances to the legitimate commerce of the United States and much less to give the slightest offense to the flag of a friendly power.

As I have already told your excellency, instructions have been sent to the commanders of the ships of the navy in order to avoid the repetition of events similar to that now in question, which is disavowed by the Government of His Majesty.

In order to remove any doubts which might arise if certain wholly unfounded rumors should be taken as true, I take pleasure in assuring [Page 1185] you that when the incident of the Alliança took place the commander was not on board, but only the second chief, Señor Ibarra, who has been removed to another post of the same grade.

I shall not conclude this note, Mr. Minister, without expressing my hope that the United States will find in the preceding spontaneous manifestations one more proof of the interest which Spain takes in all that relates to the great American Republic, and of the warm desire which animates the Government of His Majesty to contribute, for its part, to the definite and most satisfactory termination of this affair.

I avail, etc.,

The Duke of Tetuan.