Charles R. Lowell to Evarts, October 12, 1877

No. 304. Mr. Lowell to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have the honor to report that for several days before the reception of Mr. Seward’s telegram of 26th the legation had been preparing its statement of the account of claims and interests payable on the 28th September, being the second and final payment of the awards passed upon by the mixed commission sitting at Washington, up to and including the 24th March last. The telegram reached me at nine o’clock on the evening of the 26th, and the next morning (as I had before intended) I addressed a note, a copy of which is subjoined, to the minister of state, inclosing our statement and asking for an interview for the 28th, The same day I received an answer from Mr. Silvela, informing me that owing to the occupation of the ministry with the return of the royal family on the next morning to Madrid, he should be unable to meet me until between two and three o’clock on the afternoon of Saturday, the 29th. I kept the messenger waiting while I wrote an answer accepting the appointment and expressing my satisfaction that His Catholic Majesty’s government would be ready to conclude the affair on that day.

I accordingly waited on Mr. Silvela at the hour fixed upon, and as I had already informed him of my object in asking an interview for the 28th, 1 preferred, as a matter of politeness, to speak of other topics first, leaving it for him to broach the matter of the indemnity, which he accordingly soon did.

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He said that as our statement would need to be verified by their own accountants and the money arranged for, he hoped I should be satisfied if I received the money within a week. As my instructions were to follow the precedent set me by Mr. Cushing (and none could be better), and as that gentleman had waited twelve days, I consented, at the same time saying that, as I was acting on my own responsibility, and my government would naturally expect to hear from me at once, I trusted that I could depend upon being paid within the period for which Mr. Silvela had asked. On Friday evening, 5th October, at eight o’clock, I received a private note from Mr. Silvela, asking me to meet him on the next day, at 2 p.m., in order to see the minister of ultramar (to whose department, as relating to Cuba, the matter belonged), and “to arrange the business of the payment,” &c. I at once answered by the same messenger that 1 would wait upon him at the ministry at the time appointed, adding that I was very glad of this exactness on their part, because, trusting in the; perfect faith of His Catholic Majesty’s Government, I had already telegraphed to Washington that the money would be paid within the week. Next day I met Mr. Silvela at the hour appointed, and went with him to the minister of ultramar, who asked to have the final settlement postponed until Monday. He asked this as a favor, on account of unforeseen circumstances, and, as I felt every confidence in their intention to pay, I consented, but took occasion to inform Mr. Silvela that I had received a telegram from my government on the subject.

On Monday, at three o’clock, by appointment, I went to the ministry of ultramar, when I received payment, as promised, in a draft on London at fifteen days’sight (as in the case of the former half of the indemnity) for the sum of £106,768 5s. 1d., which sum included the interest on such of the awards as bore interest up to the date of payment, viz, 8th October, 1877.

I subjoin for your further information a copy of our statement of the amount due on the 28th of September, as also of the one showing the amount of interest from the 28th September to the 7th October, both inclusive.

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I sent a special messenger to London at four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, that being the first train leaving after receiving the draft. Last evening I received a telegram from him announcing his safe arrival, and to-day I have received one from Messrs. Morton, Rose & Co. acknowledging receipt of the draft.

I beg to add (in my interview with Mr. Silvela) he seemed to think that the promptitude with which Spain had paid the awards of the mixed commission entitled her to some consideration from the Government of the United States, and expressed a hope that future claims should be severely scrutinized, as he feared that the ready payment of those already passed upon might encourage claimants with less substantial titles or even tend to create them. He spoke with much emotion of the difficulties under which his country labored, and of the efforts she was making to extricate herself, hoping that our own government would be generous under the circumstances, and that the American member of the commission would in all doubtful cases strengthen the hands of his Spanish colleague. He told me that he wished I would communicate to my government the substance of what he had urged, and I promised to do so. Mr. Cushing, I am sure, will agree with me in believing that Spain is sincerely anxious to maintain her friendly relations with the United States, and willing to do all she can to satisfy all our claims against her.

A copy and translation of the receipt which I gave, together with a copy of my note to Mr. Silvela, acknowledging the receiption of the draft, are also transmitted herewith. * * * *

I trust that my action in the matter may meet with your approval.

I have, &c.,

Calculated statement of capitals and interests due on the 28th of September, 1877, from the Government of Spain (in conformity with agreement) on the awards made in favor of citizens of the United States by the mixed commission sitting in Washington, up to and including the 24th of March, 1877.

Calculated statement of interests due from the Government of Spain (from the 28th day of September to the 7th day of October, 1877, both inclusive) on such of the awards made in favor of citizens of the United States by the mixed commission, sitting in Washington, as bear interest up to the date of payment.