417.41/20

The British Chargé ( Lindsay ) to the Acting Secretary of State

No. 685

Sir: In your note of July 17th last on the subject of the so-called “Legation Claim” against the Government of Nicaragua, you were good enough to inform me that the Public Credit Commission at Managua would extend until July 30th the time of acceptance by the British authorities of the offer made in settlement of the claim of £9000 in cash and £4000 in bonds.

I had myself informed Mr. Polk verbally in June that His Majesty’s Government would be willing to accept this offer; and the extension of time was granted in order to allow His Majesty’s Government to consult Mr. Consul Martin then proceeding to England from Nicaragua, and so satisfy themselves that they should accept. Till now I have been under the impression that His Majesty’s Government had notified acceptance at Managua and that the matter was ended, but I learn that owing to a misunderstanding between this Embassy and the Foreign Office no such notification has been made.

I am now instructed to state officially that His Majesty’s Government are willing to accept the award of £9000 cash and £4000 bonds in final settlement of the Legation Claim and in view of the explanation in the foregoing paragraph, I beg to express the hope that the Public Credit Commission will not allow an inadvertence to prevent the definite closing of a long outstanding case. I trust you will find it possible to influence the Nicaraguan authorities in this sense. If they consent, I would request that payment be made to His Majesty’s Representative at Guatemala.

I have [etc.]

R. C. Lindsay