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188 by April 15th of $600,000 in settlement of the reduced claims without interest, the removal of certain offending officials, and the observance of favorable reciprocity toward French residents, with exemption from forced contributions or any peremptory interference with their retail trading. The government replied on the 25th of March that the national honor could not admit a favorable consideration of the document unless the squadron retired. This dignified though somewhat abrupt answer received the approval of the congress, which that very night met in extraordinary public session to listen with tumultuous disapproval to the ultimatum. It was not expected that France would be able to carry out her threats in view of the approaching yellow-fever season along the coast and the subsequent northers, which must play havoc with both ships and crews, as indeed they did.

No satisfaction being tendered, Bazoche on April 16th declared diplomatic relations suspended and the ports under blockade, a measure dictated, he said,