Layard to the Earl of Derby.— (Received December 5.), November 25, 1874

No. 4. Mr. Layard to the Earl of Derby.— (Received December 5.)

My Lord: Señor Ulloa expressed the greatest surprise when I told him two days ago that the indemnities to the families of the British subjects taken on board the Virginius and executed at Santiago had not been paid to your lordship. I could scarcely persuade him that such was the case. He said that he would go at once to the minister of finance and ask for an explanation. In the evening he informed me that he had seen his colleague on the subject, and that peremptory orders would be given on Wednesday (to-day) for the payment of the money without further delay. I trust, therefore, that your lordship will now have received it, or that M. de Comyn is prepared to hand it over to you.

I have, &c.,