Mr. Hay to Mr. Russell.

No. 113.]

Sir: The Department is in receipt of a Rote of the 28th ultimo from the minister of the Netherlands at this capital, stating that Charles Augustinus Henri Barge, LL. D., former governor of Curaçao, has been designated by the Queen of the Netherlands to act as umpire on the commission to meet at Caracas to consider the claims of the United States against Venezuela.

The selection of Doctor Barge is satisfactory to the Department, and the minister of the Netherlands at Washington has been so informed.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.