Office of the Historian

Mr. Brown to Mr. Hay.

American Legation,
Guatemala and Honduras,
Guatemala, May 23, 1904.
No. 175.]

Sir: Referring to instruction No. 97 of February 25 last, concerning the Renton claim against Honduras, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy with translation of the reply received to the legation’s representations, stating that the Honduran Government desires a just solution of the matter and expressing the hope that it will be possible for Minister Combs to confer personally with the Honduran Government at Tegucigalpa respecting this case.

I have, etc.,

Philip Brown.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Mr. Vasquez to Mr. Brown.

Republic of Honduras,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Tegucigalpa, May 4, 1904.

Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to receive the memorial and the documents related thereto of the claim of Mrs. Emma G. Renton and Ella Miller Renton, presented to the Department at Washington, and which originated in a crime which foreigners committed against Charles W. Renton in Honduran territory.

The claimants took steps in this direction in 1894, as you know, the year in which the crime occurred.

My Government is not only interested in arriving at a solution of this affair in accordance with justice and right, but also in preserving the cordial relations of friendship that bind it to the Government of the United States, and has given me instructions to make known to your excellency that in due time there will be forwarded the reply that the study of the documents and antecedents of the case may bring forth.

I cherish the hope that upon the return from the United States of His Excellency Mr. Leslie Combs, he will come by way of this capital, when we can personally take up this affair.

With assurances, etc.,

Mariano Vasques.

(Note.—The above-mentioned claims, and the claim of the estate of Jacob Baiz, were settled on November 25, 1904, by the subjoined agreement.)