Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1873

No. 250.
Mr. Fish to Mr. De Long.

Department of State,
Washington, December 28, 1872.

No. 161.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 306, under date of the 21st November, in which, in continuation of previous advices, you describe your later proceedings with regard to the Peruvian bark Maria Luz. The measures which you adopted, as described in your dispatch, at the request of the Japanese authorities, for the safety of the vessel and for the discharge of the crew, appear to have been expedient and proper under the circumstances. The security of the bankers who advanced the money for the necessary disbursements consists in their lien upon the vessel, and the Government of the United States assumes no responsibility for their payment.

I am, &c.,

Hamilton Fish.