that, meanwhile, the further migration of these people to Cuba has been
prohibited. It appears that the commission includes, besides a manda-
rin, an American and a Frenchman employed in the Chinese adminis-
tration. These appointments, and especially that of the American, are
regarded as offensive to Spanish dignity, and loud protests have come
from Cuba against what is called an American intrigue to deprive the
planters of Chinese laborers by means of an unfavorable report to be
made by the investigating committee. I have reason to believe that
this government, through its representative at Pekin, has remon-
strated against the appointment of any other than native Chinese
officials as members of the commission, and that Spain proposes to insist
upon the removal of the restrictions imposed by China on the coolie-
trade with the Spanish possessions in America.
       I am, &c,,
                                                  D. E. SICKLES.


                               N.o. 549.

                       General Sickles to 31r. Fish.
No. 973.]                UNITED STATES LEGATION IN SPAIN,
                    Madrid, February 3, 1874. (Receivedi March 20.)
   SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a copy and translation of
a decree declaring the northern coast of Spain, from Cape de Pefias to
Fuenterrabia, in a state of blockade. The ports of Gijon, Santander, and
San 8ebastian are excepted. The blockade includes some two hundred
and fifty miles of coast.
   It will be observed that the blockade is declared effective from the
twentieth instant; that vessels bound for the open pcits of Gijon, San-
tander, and San Sebastian are liable to search and detention, and to
certain penalties denounced in the blockade regulations prescribed for
the Spanish Pacific squadron November 26, 1864, and that no informa-
tion is given as to what will be deemed "contraband of war." With
reference to the rules of the Peruvian blockade of 1864, Mr. Layard in-
forms me he applied at the state department for a copy of them, but
they could not be found.
   It seems, according to Article V, that the necessary war-vessels are
 ordered to the coast to make the blockade effective; but one may per-
 haps venture to intimate a doubt whether, considering the resources of
 the Spanish navy, the execution of these orders is practicable.
   Under all the circumstances, it is not likely that the European powers
 will suffer the rich commerce of the Bay of Biscay to be subjected to
 annoyance and interruption by a blockade of this character.
       1 am, &c.,
                                                  D. E. SICKLES.

                                [Inclosure.]
  Decree of January 31, 1874, declaring the Biscayan ports of Spain in a
state of blockade.
               [Translated from " La Gaceta de Madrid," February
-, 1874,]
                              PREAMBLE.
  Among the highest duties imposed upon the present government of the republic
by
  public opinion, by the spontaneous and. energetic act from  hich it sprung,
by its own


85"'7


SPAIN.