Richard Loewenstein to John A. Adee, July 25, 1873

Mr. Loewenstein to Mr. Adee.

Sir: I have respectfully to inform you that on the 23d instant I received and accepted an invitation from the British consul to assist at a meeting of all the consuls here in order to treat of a subject of interest to them all.

The subject being to form a commission of five, that is to represent all the consular body, (composed of twenty-one individuals.)

This consular commission proposed and accepted is composed of the representatives of the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and England.

The consul of Italy, M. Guido Cialdini, brother of the general and minister of that name, has been elected unanimously the president, and the British consul the secretary of this commission. The inclosure No. 1 is a copy of the proceedings of our meeting.

There was another reason for naming said commission not contained in the inclosure No. 1. That is, considering the actual political circumstances of this country, and that the majority of the consuls are Spanish subjects, they would rather be a difficulty than a help in resolving important questions which may arise between foreign and Spanish subjects. This will be avoided by the commission thus composed of five of the most powerful nations, acting in the name of the whole body.

I have also the honor to forward to you a copy (No. 2) of a circular received by the president of the junta revolucionana of Valencia, and our collective answer to it, (No. 3.)

I would also mention that a Spanish merchant here, Mr. Casimiro Luna, selling American and other sewing-machines, intended to fix, during the fair here, on the outside of his tiluda the American flag, but I told him that this being prohibited by the law he would, by insisting upon it, oblige me to apply to the government to take it down, as I think it improper that the American flag should cover a commercial charlatanry, or perhaps a fraud.

I am, &c.,