The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-05

ing, when he was informed by the Spanish govern
ment that protocol had been signed in Washing
ton between Mr.. Fish and the Spanish Minister.
negotiating. by order OF Mr.. Fish. for
an ulumatum demanded by Grant at Madrid,
Secretary Fish was engaged at the same time with
Admiral Polo upon basis that relinqutshed every
important demand Of the American government.
When General Sickles learned that the negotiation.
which he had brought TO q head In Madrid, had
been completed in Washington by the concession
Of those important points he telegraphed to Mr..
Fish, and was answered that everything had been
concluded and he should learn particulars by
mail. or course the General felt that he had been
dishonored by his government in the presence of q
foreign Power, and therefore he telegraphed on
the 9Th of December the letter rendering his resg
nation, which appeared in your issue of the a1st
ult, but which reproduce here for the purpose OF
making this statement complete:-
MADRID Dec. g. 1873.
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary OF State Washington
1t Ia published semi-ofrlcially that the govern
ment disapproves Of my conduct in the case Of the
vtrginius IT, in the opinion Of the President, my
resignation would facilitate satisfactory termi-
nation of that question or be otherwise advan-
tageous to the public interests such resignation
may by considered hereby respectfully rendered.
SICKLES.
These are the
EXACT WORDS
OF General Sickles' resignation, and it was upon
this statement that the Madrid despatch appeared
in the HERALD announcing the resignation OF Mr..
sickles-a despatch which you will remember was
also denied at the time by the authority Of the
State Department. President Grant, however,
took the matter in his own hands and telegraphed
in his own name to General Sickles as follows, on
the 9Th Of December. two days after the reception
of the despatch from Madrid:-
PRESIDENT GRANTS LETTER TO GENERAL sICKLEs.
The President disavows any expression of disap-
prevail OF General Sickles' course at Madrid in the
question Of the virginius, and declines to accept
his resignation as inconsistent with public In.
terests.
In other words, General Sickles was commanded
to remain at his post even at the sacrifice imposed
upon him. To this he consented, at the same time
addressing private letter to the President, which
has been received in Washington, asking for his
immediate recall from Madrid.
THESE ARE TIE FACTS
that have transplred in Washington as portion
of the secret history Of the negotiations concern
ing the virginius, and telegraph them to you
partly because they are interesting historically,
but more particularly because they confirm, in
such an admirable manner, all the points en-
braced in the dispatches published in the HERALD.
With reference to the attack upon General
sickles' house, one disputed point is con-
frmed in detail by direct advice from
Madrid. So incensed were the people as
regards the Minister that guard was placed
by the Spanish government over the Legation.
Those who know che INSIDE history Of the negotia-
ton see plainly that all that was gained in Madrid
was destroyed in Washington. As one high In
authority under our government and familiar with
the Spanish question said to your correspondent
to-day, "wlthout the punishment of those respon-
sible for the capture and massacre at Santiago it
is mockery to say that we have received any rep
mains
THE GRAvEsr QUESTION OF ALL,
"What security have we for the futures"
81 trust the matter will not be suffered to rest
until the atroclous despotism in Cuba, from which
we have suffered so much, shall be finally and for
ever ended. am persuaded cannot be mistaken
in believing this to be the wish Of public opinion
in Europe as well as here at home.'
1t Is furthermore felt that If the correspondence
between General sickles and the American govern
ment should be published Just it is, and without
any emendations on the part Of the state Depart
ment, the fact that have here given you win be
more fully confirmed.
Another incident that comes from the Spanish
authorities here is that
CAsTELAR's COURSE IN THE vrRaINIUs CASE
was only q part Of his reactionary programme,
such as the appointment OF monarchical generals,
intriguing with members Of the radical or Zorrlla
party, the probable appointment Of Concha to the
Captain Generalshlp Of Cuba, and the marked at
tentions paid by the family Of Castelar, to the men,
bers Of the FAMILY Of General Burriel now residing
in Madrid. It is known also that the Spanish gov
eminent has manifested its satisfaction with all
chat Burriel has done.
THE TONE OF THE PRESS IN MADRID
is vindctivs and implacable an one familiar with
Spanish sentiment said this evening that the only
thing the Spaniards seem to regret is that they
xvere not nresent at the shooting which would
have been junction de prtmeva, or first class spec
tace.
POLITICAL
The Maryland Legislature meets on Wednesday
next and the first important business to be con-
sidered is the election Of q successor to United
States senator william T. Hamilton, whose term,