Emilio Castelar to Daniel E. Sickles, March 7, 1873

Mr. Castelar to General Sickles.

Sir: The executive power has learned with the most profound satisfaction of your note of yesterday’s date, in which you are pleased to communicate to the government of the Spanish Republic, under instructions from the President of the United States, the resolution adopted by the American Congress congratulating the Spanish people in the name of the people of the United States upon the proclamation of the republic in Spain, and upon the principles of liberty inherent to this form of government.

The Spanish nation cannot but see in this act of the Congress of the United States, as solemn as it was spontaneous, a new proof of the sentiments of amity and sympathy that have ever existed between the two countries, and that the community of political institutions they both possess will tend to bring them closer together, to the mutual benefit of their interests.

The executive power, as the exponent of this sincere aspiration of the Spanish people, begs through me that the President of the American Republic will be pleased to convey this response to the houses of Congress in Washington, together with the expression of our liveliest sympathies.

I avail myself of this opportunity to repeat to you, sir, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.