No. 640.
Mr. Fish to General Sickles.
Your telegram, suggesting a possible difference of attitude on the part of Spain in Madrid, and here, which you think calls for your withdrawal from Madrid, and asking a request to the Italian government to authorize its representative to take care of our library at Madrid, has been laid before the President, who decides that public interests require that you should remain at your post until expiration of time heretofore named, or until further orders. If a difference exists, as you suggest, the President feels it his duty to take into consideration the representations made at Washington, which approach most nearly to compliance with our just demands, and he depends upon you to co-operate with our efforts to induce Spain to make such concessions as may avert a rupture between the two republics, without questioning the sincerity of the Madrid cabinet. It will not be possible to send a vessel to Valencia.