Seorñ Don Francisco Otin , Chargé d’Affaires for Spain to Otin, November 24, 1873

Mr. Williams to Mr. Otin.

M. le Chargé d’Affaires, and Dear Colleague:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, and to thank you for the copy of the protocol which you signed that day with the three ministers of the foreign office, defining the status and procedure of the commission and the mode of final arbitration.

I beg to congratulate you upon this basis of agreement, which fully meets my view of the understanding arrived at on the 1st of August. The elucidation of the results of Chinese emigration to Cuba during the last twenty-five years will have much effect upon the whole question of contract-labor, and every one who has a regard for the welfare of his fellow-men must desire to see a full and un trammeled inquiry into the matter.

I shall be very willing to lend my aid in the final settlement of the points which may still come up between the Spanish and Chinese governments after the return of the commission, and help to bring this perplexing question to a peaceful and just conclusion.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew the expression of my great regard.