Mr. Olney to Mr. Pringle.

No. 180.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Young’s dispatch, No. 179, of the 25th ultimo, in which he reports the settlement with the Guatemalan Government of the claims of Argall, Thomas, and Pardee, on a basis of the payment of $1,000 to Argall, $100 to Thomas, and [Page 775] $100 to Pardee. It appears from Mr. Young’s dispatch that there was a discrepancy in the accounts of the trouble given by the Guatemalan authorities and by the claimants, the former alleging and agreeing to furnish proof that Argall had struck the subofficer who gave him the blows with the lash, and the claimants declaring under oath that such was not the case. The imprisonment lasted only twelve days.

Under these circumstances, and in view of the fact that the parties are all satisfied, the action of Mr. Young in thus settling the case is approved.

I am, etc.,

Richard Olney.