RELATING TO PAYMENT OF THE HALIFAX AWARD. 



Mr. Evarts to Mr. Welsh. 



Private. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 



Washington, November 4, 1878. 

 JOHN WELSH, Esquire, 



&c., &c., &c. 



DEAR SIR: I write merely to inform you that while I reserve en- 

 tirely the question of the payment of the Halifax award as yet to be 

 determined, yet I have taken care to have the remittance made. 



The last parcel of exchange went forward by steamer of last Sat- 

 urday, and Morton Rose & Co. have in their hands the means of 

 commanding $5,500,000 in American gold. 



This remittance has been made so as not to attract attention or 

 affect the exchanges, and Morton Rose and Co. have not yet been 

 advised to what credit or by what means of withdraw the money is to 



go- 

 In case the reply of the British Government should seem to war- 

 rant the payment of the award, the money will be placed at your 

 disposal for that purpose and you will be advised in due season of the 

 course to be taken. 



I am, Yours very truly. 



WM. M. EVARTS. 



Mr. Evarts to Mr. Welsh. 



No. 173.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 



Washington, November 8, 1878. 



SIR: The question of the payment of the amount awarded by the 

 Halifax commission is still held under consideration, and may be till 

 the last moment. You will receive timely instructions by telegraph 

 for your guidance in any aspect of the matter which may be pre- 

 sented. 



In the meantime it is not foreseen that the payments, if finally 

 resolved on by this government, could under any circumstances be 

 properly made, without being accompanied by a formal notice of the 

 grounds upon which the payment is made, without any change of 

 views on our part respecting the award and the positions this govern- 

 ment has assumed in its correspondence with the British Government 

 on the subject. 



I therefore inclose a form of notice and protest, with which you will 

 accompany the payment of the money should you be instructed to 

 make such payment. 

 I am, &c. 



WM. M. EVARTS. 



201 



