No. 408.
Dr. Aceval to Mr. Evarts .

[Translation.]

Sir: I have had the honor to receive your note of the 13th instant, inclosing the document which contains the decision of His Excellency President Hayes, umpire in the question between Paraguay and the Argentine Republic, concerning the territory of the Chaco, comprised between the Pilcomayo and the Rio Verde.

The umpire, being guided by the lofty principles of justice, has rendered his decision in favor of Paraguay, as I had always expected, in view of his enlightenment and rectitude, and I now have the satisfaction of conveying [Page 712] through Your Excellency to His Excellency the President, the expression of the heart-felt gratitude with which the people and Government of Paraguay will hail his decision.

In the mean time, let me be permitted, as their representative, to express to His Excellency the President, in the name of the people and Government of Paraguay, my warmest thanks for the very important service which he has rendered them.

I have, &c.,

BENJ. ACEVAL.