Mr. Fish to General Sickles
Sir: I have received your No. 223, dated the 20th ultimo, inclosing a copy of Mr. Sagasta’s note of the 19th ultimo, relative to the reclamations [Page 759] for injuries done to American citizens in Cuba by the Spanish authorities. I also received your telegram of the 27th ultimo, suggesting a proposal of certain modifications of the Spanish bases set forth in Mr. Sagasta’s note, the effect of which not being entirely comprehended by the President, I telegraphed you to that effect, and added that I would await the arrival of the text of the note; and, in my No. 234, of the 27th ultimo, I transmitted to you a copy of that telegram. Since then I have further received your telegram of the 13th instant, informing me that you had replied to Mr. Sagasta’s note of the 19th ultimo. I shall await the receipt of that reply before making farther comments. You correctly characterize the Spanish conditions as “plainly inadmissible,” It is sincerely to be hoped, in the best interests of both countries, that these negotiations may at an early day reach, a satisfactory conclusion.
I am, &c.,