"Resolved, That it is our duty in this crisis to solicit with earnestness the powerful influence of the United States of America. We have a well-founded confidence in the stability of the institutions of that grand people, in the policy of her illustrious chiefs, and in the great soul of Lincoln, the hero destined by Providence to complete the work of Washington." I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State of the United States. THOMAS H. NELSON A. [From the Patria of May 7, 1864.-Translation.] CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF AMERICA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS OF CHIli, Santiago, May 4, 1864 Mr. MINISTER: The occupation of the Chincha islands by the naval forces of Spain, in the Pacific, has caused in the mind of the government of Chili the most profound and painful impression, and has awakened throughout the whole republic lively alarms, which will make themselves equally felt from one ex tremity to the other of the American continent. The commissioner of her Catholic Majesty and the commander-in-chief of her naval forces in the Pacific, under whose immediate responsibility this act appears to have been perpetrated, have not been unaware of its gravity, and have endeavored to justify it, setting forth in the declaration issued from the anchorage of the Chincha islands the reasons which have decided them to take this resolution. If this measure be considered as an act of reprisal, undertaken for the purpose of obtaining reparation for any injury or offence offered to Spain by Peru, it is necessary to inquire whether the moment had arrived to appeal to an almost extreme resource, when the pacific measures employed among nations to avoid the calamities of war had not yet been exhausted. The right assumed by sovereign nations to do themselves justice has welldefined proceedings, which the constant practice of nations has erected into tutelar principles of peace and harmony, whereon repose the mutual well-being of societies. To depart from them without a justifying motive would be an offence affecting not only the interests of the people towards whom it was offered, but also involving a deviation from those common and obligatory laws, in whose faithful observance all the members of the great family of sovereign and independent nations should interest themselves. The declaration issued by the commissioner of her Catholic Majesty and the commander-in-chief of her Pacific squadron, besides being open to just censure under the point of view indicated, involves the sanction of principles which place in doubt the independence of Peru, provoking a conflict for all America. The government of Chili, therefore, cannot otherwise than reprobate, as it does, in the most explicit manner, such doctrines, and protest against them, notwithstanding that it is confident that they will not receive the sanction of the government of her Catholic Majesty. The independence of Peru and her existence as a free and sovereign nation is a fixed fact, and it would be necessary to efface the history of half a century to even place it in doubt, converting into a simple truce that which has been and is a peace of indefinite duration, universally accepted and recognized, in fact, by Spain herself in a long series of public and official acts. The government of her Catholic Majesty for many years has not ceased to call republic that which was formerly her colony; it repeats the same in the credential of the commissioner which it has sent to Lima; it has admitted her consuls, and consented that her ships frequent the ports of the Peninsula; a reciprocal and uninterrupted commerce has been maintained between the two countries, and finally Peruvians have been considered as foreigners on the Peninsula, precisely as the Spaniards have been considered in Peru. As a sovereign state Peru has entered into treaties of peace, friendship, and commerce with nations of both continents; and in presence of these facts, known to the government of her Catholic Majesty, can the absence of a solemn recognition have any importance in the eyes of truth and international law so as to found thereon a state of truce? Every truce supposes a state of incommunication, and it may be even said that this characterizes it. Nor is a close made to an armistice of long and indefinite duration without previous notice of the intention to renew hostilities, an essential formality, as we are taught by the constant practice of ancient and modern nations. In the opinion of the commissioner of her Catholic Majesty and of the commander-in-chief of her squadron in the Pacific, the crown of Castile is disposed to revindicate the proprietorship of the Chincha islands, and appears to derive this right as a legitimate corollary of the supposed state of truce. A nation constituted for forty years, exercising with independence rights belonging to sovereignty within the entire precinct of its territory, is not, nor can it be, subject to the right of revindication. The seizing of the Chincha islands by the Spanish squadron in such case becomes a material act, consummated by force, and, wanting in the proper characteristics of a legitimate act, the right of vindication would become a true right of conquest. The armies of Chili fought together with those of Peru in the war of independence; the two republics were one in a common cause, as were also all the American sections. Were hostilities again to break out, there having been nothing but a truce de hecho, (de facto,) what is the situation in which the ancient belligerents and their allies would find themselves forcibly placed throughout the entire continent? The government of Chili, in presence of so grave an event, considers it its undeniable duty to deny in the most public and solemn manner the principles which serve as a base to the declaration, protests against the occupation of the Chincha islands by the naval forces of her Catholic Majesty, and does not recognize, and will not recognize, as the legitimate owner of the said islands, any other power than the republic of Peru. I feel convinced, nevertheless, that the government of her Catholic Majesty will not approve the principles proclaimed in that declaration, since, if the principle of revindication be sanctioned, that of reconquest would be approved by implication, and the American republics would find themselves obliged to unite their forces in order to maintain the integrity of the territory of a sister and independent republic. It would be painful that the rapid and inevitable development of events should cause complications to arise, either retarding the settlement of an international question, to which the government of Peru manifests itself disposed to lend due attention, so as to arrange in a stable and permanent manner its differences with Spain, or preparing new difficulties which considerations of a supreme order would counsel the American governments to avoid opportunely. The manifestation which I have just made, in compliance with the orders hich I have received from the President of the republic, will be deemed, I st, by the government of your excellency as the faithful expression of senents common to all America. The government of —, abounding in the sentiments, will be pleased doubtless to know the views of that of Chili, and her disposition to act in accord and prevent a conflict which might disturb the peace of this continent, interrupting the friendly relations which happily she has cultivated, and earnestly desires to cultivate, with the Spanish nation. I have the honor to offer to your excellency the testimony of my highest consideration with which I subscribe myself your excellency's most obedient MANUEL A. TOCORNAL. servant, The Most Excellent MINISTER OF FOREIGN RELATIONS of B. Mr. Covarrubias to Mr. Nelson. [Translation.] DEPARTMENT of Foreign RELATIONS, REPUBLIC OF CHILI, Santiago, May 11, 1864. SIR: The honorable Señor Don Manuel A. Tocornal has placed in the hands of the President of the republic his resignation from the charge of minister of foreign relations, and his excellency having deigned to accept the same, has been pleased to honor me with his high confidence, calling me to occupy the post left vacant by that distinguished citizen. In beginning my official relations with your excellency, I am flattered with the hope that they may be ever animated by the same spirit of cordiality and good understanding which presided over those which existed between your excellency and my illustrious predecessor. I have the honor to offer to your excellency the assurance of my most perfect consideration with which I subscribe myself your excellency's most obedient servant, ALVARO COVARRUBIAS. The ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY C. Mr. Nelson to Soñor Don A. Covarrubias. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a note from your excellency, dated this day, informing me that his excellency the President of the republic, having accepted the resignation of the honorable Señor Don Manuel A. Tocornal as minister of foreign relations, has been pleased to appoint your excellency to that high and honorable position. Allow me to respond cordially to the hopes expressed by your excellency, and to manifest the earnest desire that our official relations may be such as may tend to strengthen the friendly relations happily subsisting between the United States and the republic of Chili. In tendering to your excellency my earnest congratulations upon your elevation to a position so responsible, I have the honor to offer to your excellency the assurances of most distinguised consideration with which I am your excellency's most obedient servant, Señor Don ALVARO COVARRUBIAS, THOMAS H. NELSON. Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Chili. No. 65.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Nelson. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I thank you for the information you have given me in your No. 127 concerning what has occurred in Chili in relation to the seizure of the Chincha islands by the admiral of the Spanish fleet in Peruvian waters. Very full accounts of that controversy have been received here from Mr. Robinson, our representative at Lima. At an early day Mr. Koerner, our minister at Madrid, was instructed to use his good offices to arrest a serious conflict, and effect a reconciliation between Spain and Peru. Thus far we have no advices from Mr. Koerner upon the subject, but we are now daily expecting his reply. Some incidents have occurred at Madrid which enable us to hope that Spain will not proceed further in the direction of hostilities. On the other hand we learn from Peru that the admiral and the late commissioner of Spain have disavowed any design or purpose to assail the sovereignty of Peru, and have defined the seizure of the Chincha islands as an act of mere reprisal, and the commissioner at the same time announced that he had resigned his special trust. Your own proceedings in regard to the matter are fully approved. I am, sir, your obedient servant, THOMAS H. NELSON, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Nelson to Mr. Seward. No. 140.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: The 88th anniversary of our independence was celebrated in this city by all ranks and classes of the people and by all political parties with a cordiality and unanimity almost, if not entirely, unprecedented. The whole population seemed to join in the demonstration, and with a patriotic enthusiasm rarely surpassed in similar celebrations in our own country, and certainly unparalleled elsewhere. At daylight on the 4th instant the bands of the different military organizations played "Hail Columbia" in front of their barracks instead of the customary reveillé, and at sunrise and at noon salutes were fired by an American citizen who had obtained permission from the government for the purpose. At 7 o'clock the band of the artillery regiment appeared beneath the windows of the legation and played our national airs. At noon, by order of the President, every military band in the city, numbering over 200 performers, assembled in front of my residence, and in unison played "Hail Columbia," the "Star Spangled Banner," and the national hymn of Chili, while an aide-de-camp of his excellency called to tender the congratulations of the President. At the same hour, in obedience to a public call, a large mass meeting was held upon the "Alameda," or public walk, at the foot of the statue of General San Martin, where enthusiastic and patriotic addresses appropriate to the day were delivered by the members of the Society of the American Union and others; after which, forming a procession, the members of the Union bearing the flags of all the American republics, with that of the United States at the head, marched to the legation. Upon their arrival repeated and enthusiastic cheers burst from the multitude for the United States, for American independence, for President Lincoln, &c., &c., &c. Accepting these manifestations as evidencing the cordial good will existing between the republics of Chili and our own, I briefly addressed the multitude, thanking the government and people of Chili for this hearty expression of sympathy and respect, and invited the Society of the American Union, as representatives of their fellow-citizens, to enter my house, where, during an hour or more, a pleasant interchange of courtesies took place. I have the honor to enclose herein a copy of my remarks. (Enclosure A.) During the day the minister of foreign affairs, the secretary of the treasury, the President, and secretary of the house, Admiral Blanco, and a large number of officers of the government, members of Congress, officers of the army and navy, municipality, &c., and private citizens, called to pay their respects. The republican members of the diplomatic corps also called, while those of Europe sent their cards, and all hoisted their flags in honor of the day. In the evening the orchestra of the municipal theatre gave a beautiful serenade at the legation, playing our own national airs and those of Chili and Peru. These spontaneous manifestations by this government and people are, I believe, unexampled. The recent aggressive attitude of various European nations towards the South American republics has awakened in the latter an interest, and compelled a study of our own affairs, which have tended to convince them that their only safety lies in the success of the Union arms and the reassertion of our integrity and power as a nation. It is a source of profound congratulation that the eminently wise and prudent course of the government of the United States in its foreign relations is fully understood and appreciated by the statesmen, the press, and the people of Chili. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS H. NELSON. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State of the United States. [Enclosure A.] Remarks of Hon. Thomas H. Nelson, United States Minister Plenipotentiary at the Legation of the United States in Santiago de Chili, on the 4th of July, 1864. GENTLEMEN: As the representative of the government and people of the United States, and as an American citizen, I am deeply grateful for this spontaneous and unparalleled demonstration. I thank his excellency the President of the republic for directing all the military bands of the city to come to this legation to play the patriotic airs of both North and South America, and also the leaders and members of those bands for the tasteful manner in which they performed that duty. Words cannot express the pleasing emotions excited in the hearts of my countrymen and in my own by the thrilling music of our national hymns, "Hail Columbia" and the "Star Spangled Banner," admirably played by more than two hundred instruments. We felt that we were no longer strangers in a distant land, but among friends and brothers, whose patriotic impulses, hopes, and aspirations were in unison with our own. I am deeply grateful for the spirit and enthusiasm I see here manifested by so many thousands of your patriotic people, and for the hearty vivas with which you greet the names of "Washington" and "Lincoln." It tells me in a voice not to be misunderstood that the great heart of Chili is for the Union and the success of the federal cause. I appreciate the significance of this ovation and its moral effect, both here and elsewhere. It will be most gratefully appreciated by the government and people of the United States, and, above all, it will cheer and encourage the patriotic soldiers who are perilling their lives upon the battle-field for the sacred cause of freedom. It will cheer them to know, that even in the darkest hour of the rebellion, when the life of the nation seemed to be suspended by a thread, the government and people of Chili never for one moment faltered in their devotion to the cause of the Union. Your heartfelt prayers and aspirations have ever been for the triumph of the federal arms, and the restoration of our glorious Union. And now again, in this most unequivocal manner, you have come to this legation on this the jubilee of American independence, to tender me your congratulations and sympathies, and to renew your devotion to those great principles of liberty which form the basis of all free |