Cãnovas del Castillo to Cushing, March 5, 1877

Mr. Cánovas del Castillo to Mr. Cushing.

His Excellency Mr. Caleb Cushing:

Dear Sir: I have just received the letter which you have had the goodness to write to me to-day, wherein you remind me of a note which you were pleased to address to the minister of state under date of the 6th of last month, relative to the payment, on the part of the Spanish Government, of the reclamations, which, among various others, of citizens of the Union, have been declared competent and accepted by the mixed commission established by the convention of the 12th of February, 1871.

Notwithstanding that the minister of state is at present absent, I have occupied myself, and the Government of His Majesty has preferentially occupied itself, with so important a matter, and I am enabled to say to you in anticipation, without prejudice to the communication to be made to you by the minister of state on his return in the ordinary form, that the Spanish Government, recognizing the justice of the reclamation which you refer, would desire, nevertheless, if that of the United States find no inconvenience therein, to satisfy its import in the terms and forms following:

• Paying forthwith one-half of the total amount of the reclamations in question and which have been recognized.
• Paying the other half in six months from the time of effecting the first payment.

It would give great pleasure to the Government of the King were that which you so worthily represent to accept forthwith this proposition, which, in the name of the Government of Spain, I have the honor to present to you.

And with this motive I repeat myself your most attentive friend and obedient servant,