Mr. Dawson to Mr. Hay.

No. 76.]

Sir: This morning the President informed me that he had changed his mind and determined not to make the request, which he has the privilege of making under the award, that the American financial agent take charge of the custom houses at Monte Christi, Sanchez, and Samana.

He was brought to this decision by the threat of the minister of finance to resign, by the pressure of ex-President Vasquez and other Horacistas, who virtually notified him that they would withdraw their support, and by the fact that Governor Arias at Monte Christi has agreed to the appointment of a Horacista collector in preference to turning the custom house over to Mr. Abbott.

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I have, etc.,

T. C. Dawson.