The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Minister Russell.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Caracas, September 9, 1909.
Mr. Minister: In connection with the protocol of settlement just signed between the United States of Venezuela and the United States of America, on behalf of the Orinoco Corporation and of its predecessors in interest, the Manoa Co. (Ltd.), the Orinoco Co., and the [Page 629] Orinoco Co. (Ltd.), I have the honor to state to your excellency that it is understood that the United States of Venezuela also agrees to adjust, satisfy, and discharge the fees which may be due the defendant attorneys of the Manoa Co. (Ltd.) and the Orinoco Co. (Ltd.) in the suit instituted by the Republic against the Manoa Co. (Ltd.) and the Orinoco Co. (Ltd.) in the Federal court arid of cassation, and to forever save harmless the United States of America and said Manoa Co. (Ltd.), Orinoco Co. (Ltd.), Orinoco Co., and Orinoco Corporation from any and all liability to make further compensation for such services.
It is likewise understood that the United States of America undertakes to pay out of the sum of $385,000 to be received from Venezuela in settlement of this case, a reasonable compensation, the amount thereof to be fixed by the Secretary of State of the United States of America, to the defendant attorney or attorneys in the suit instituted on or about March 18, 1905, in the Federal court and of cassation of the Republic by Mr. Padron Uztariz against said Manoa Co. (Ltd.) and Orinoco Co. (Ltd.), as compensation for the professional services of said defendant attorney or said defendant attorneys in said suit.
I thus answer the courteous note of your excellency of even date herewith in regard to the foregoing.
Please accept, your excellency, etc., etc., etc.
To His Excellency William W.
Russell,
E. E. and M. P. of the U. S.
A.