AUGUSTUS ADEE, United States Chargé d’Affaires to Mes, July 24, 1877

Mr. Adee to Messrs. W. C. Bevan & Co.

Sir: Referring to my letter to you of the 1st ultimo, I have now the honor to inform you that I have received the expected instructions of the honorable Secretary of State concerning the subject-matter of your letter to me of the 28th of May last.

The Department of State is disposed to regard your inquiry as more or less directly bearing upon the question of the hours during which the consulate is to be kept open for the transaction of business; and it has, therefore, been deemed advisable to bring the matter to the attention of Mr. John F. Quarles, the newly-appointed consul of the United States at Malaga, prior to his departure for his post,’ in order that he may be guided by the views of the Department in the premises. Mr. Quarles has accordingly been instructed that he is to conform to the seventy-second paragraph of the consular regulations, and keep open the consulate daily during the usual business hours observed at Malaga; but, should it be especially necessary, during the vintage or busy season for the convenience of business or the interest of commerce, to occasionally extend the office-hours of the consulate the Department is of the opinion that it should be done,, even to the inconvenience of the consul.

Mr. Quarles will, however, be expected to investigate the point for himself on reaching his post, and to acquaint himself with the usages and customs prevailing at Malaga with regard to the hours of consular business; and the Department prefers not to-give him any definite instructions on the subject in advance. The matter will be left to his discretion, in the belief that he will be enabled to judge correctly how far it may be desirable to accommodate the merchants who export goods to the United States, and that he will decide the question to the satisfaction of those who have official business transactions with him as well as to that of the Department.

I am, &c.,