General Sickles to Mr. Fish
Sir: Yesterday, as I have already informed you by my telegram of the 2d instant, I called on the minister of state, it being his customary day for the reception of the diplomatic body. I remarked to Mr. Sagasta that I had not yet had the pleasure to receive his reply to the proposition made in my note of October 14; to which the minister replied that I would very soon hear from him, as he had obtained from the colonial office the information he desired in regard to our reclamations. He gave no intimation of the probable tenor of his answer. I mentioned, on the authority of our minister to Brazil, who is passing a few days in Madrid, en route to Rome, that several troublesome questions, growing out of claims upon that government for injuries to American citizens, had recently been adjusted by means of a similar arrangement, and which had much to commend it when friendly powers desired to settle such controversies. This allusion drew no direct response, but Mr. Sagasta observed that he had heard the day before, from Mr. Roberts, that the arbitrators named to pass upon the “Lloyd Aspinwall” case had awarded a large sum to the owners. I expressed my hope that the decision would be satisfactory to all parties, and that the amount would be promptly paid, to which his excellency replied that payment would be ordered without delay.
I am, &c.,