Delaplaine to Count Andrássy, May 16, 1874

Mr. Delaplaine to Count Andrássy.

To his Excellency the Count Andrássy, Imperial and Royal Minister for Foreign Affairs:

The undersigned, chargé d’affaires of the United States of America, has the honor to advise his excellency the Count Andrássy, minister of the imperial house and for foreign affairs, that he has received a communication from the State Department, at Washington, inclosing copy of a letter dated 24th April last, addressed to Messrs. Wm. T. Otto and Luis de Potestad, arbitrators in the American and Spanish Claims Commission, by his excellency the Austro-Hungarian envoy, Baron de Lederer, announcing his excellency’s resignation of the position of umpire to that commission.

The undersigned has been instructed by the honorable Mr. Secretary Fish to express to the imperial and royal government the regret with which the President learns of the retirement of Baron Lederer from duties for which he has shown such qualification, and the sense of the President of the ability and learning with which the baron has devoted himself to their performance.

The undersigned has been further instructed to request his excellency the minister for foreign affairs to be pleased to convey to Baron Lederer the thanks of the President for the valuable services rendered by him in the interest of the two governments represented in the commission.

The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to his excellency the Count Andrássy the assurance of his distinguished consideration.