Mr. Woodford to Mr. Sherman.
Madrid, April 6, 1898.
Sir: In further fulfillment of your telegraphic instructions which I received yesterday and acknowledged in my dispatch No. 208, dated April 5 instant, I have to-day written the British chargé d’affaires at Madrid, stating that I have received instructions from my Government to place the United States legation, its records and property, together with all American interests in Spain, in the charge and under the care of Her British Majesty’s embassy in case I am compelled to leave Spain, and that if the British embassy has received or shall receive authorization from her British Majesty’s Government permitting the British embassy to undertake this trust, I will execute my instructions at the convenience of the British embassy should the occasion unfortunately arise. I have expressed officially and personally the thanks of my Government to the British embassy for the generous kindness of Her Majesty’s Government, and I am,
Very respectfully yours,