Mr. Hicks to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of the United States,
Lima, Peru, October 1, 1891.
(Received October 27.)
No. 304]
Sir: Referring to my No. 179, of November 3,
1890, and Department’s No. 90, of December 3, 1890, in regard to the
claim of the Hydrographic Commission, I have to say that I have urged
the matter upon the attention of the minister of foreign affairs and in
reply he has stated that the claim has been placed before Congress by
the minister of the treasury, as the amount must be appropriated by
Congress. In order to bring it forcibly to the attention of Congress and
get it acted upon, I have addressed to the minister of foreign affairs a
note on the subject, a copy of which I inclose herewith.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 304.]
Mr. Hicks to Mr.
Elmore.
Legation of the United States,
Lima, October 1, 1891.
No. 58.]
Sir: I beg to call your excellency’s
attention to the debt known as the Hydro-graphic Commission claim,
now before the honorable the Congress of Peru. Your excellency will
remember that a number of American citizens, known as the
Hydro-graphic Commission, contracted with the Peruvian Government to
survey the Amazonian provinces; that the work was done in a
satisfactory manner, and on the settlement it was found that the sum
of $11,447.63, more or less, was due the commission; that an order
was drawn for the amount, but never paid.
[Page 1049]
Subsequently, during the time when his excellency Dr. Yrigoyen was
the minister for foreign relations, about the year 1879, the matter
was again presented and again recognized and filed for payment, but
never paid. I beg to call your excellency’s attention to the fact
that this is no ordinary claim; that it is a debt of honor,
unquestioned and undisputed, and that every consideration of justice
and equity suggests its payment. I trust that a mere reference to
the foregoing facts will be sufficient to induce the high-minded and
honorable members of the Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies
to allow the bill at once.
