Lederer to Messrs. Otto and Potestad, arbitrators, April 24, 1874

Baron Lederer to Messrs. Otto and Potestad, arbitrators.

Gentlemen: By your communication of May 31, 1871, you were pleased to inform me that the international commission, appointed in pursuance of the stipulations between Spain and the United States of February 11, 1871, had just selected me as an umpire for the settlement of all questions concerning which the members of said commission should fail to agree.

I had the honor to accept this appointment, with the consent of the imperial and royal government, as a proof of confidence on the part of the high contracting parties, and at the same time to refuse the compensation provided for by Article VI of the said convention.

For three years I have devoted myself to the conscientious decision of all the cases which have been presented to me.

I now have the honor to inform you, gentlemen, that I have just been notified by my government that I am shortly to be recalled from my post as minister at Washington, and being on the point of delivering my letters of recall, intending to sail for Europe very soon afterward, it will, in future, be out of my power to continue to hold the appointment with which you have been pleased to honor me.

I therefore deem it my duty to resign my position as umpire in the aforesaid international commission, in order that you may be enabled to proceed, in time, to the choice of my successor, according to Article I of the convention in question.

Returning to you my thanks for the kind support which you have been pleased to give me in the performance of my duties, I avail myself, &c.