Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Sherman to Mr. Woodford.

Department of State,
Washington, December 11, 1897.

No. 95.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt, on the 9th instant, of your No. 81, of the 27th ultimo, transmitting duplicate copies of each of the decrees signed by Her Majesty the Queen Regent on November 25, of which the first extends the provisions of the Spanish constitution over Cuba and prescribes the electoral law of the island, while the second establishes the new system of autonomy therein.

An effort will be made to have these important papers translated in the Department with all possible dispatch. It is cheerfully recognized that you could not have undertaken this task with the limited force at your command except at the cost of delay, which would have impeded the needful early examination of these measures.

You will please transmit hither, to complete the record of the correspondence in the matter, copy and translation of the note of Señor Gullon sending you the decree in regard to autonomy, and copy of your reply acknowledging his marked courtesy in the matter.

Respectfully, yours,

John Sherman.