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The President has promised me to issue instructions to all comandantes de puerto of the republic prohibiting admission of all vessels under that [the confedate] flag into its ports, except in cases of distress. I could not obtain from him their complete denunciation as pirates.

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CHILI.

Mr. Bigler to Mr. Seward.

[Extract]

No. 136.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Santiago de Chili, August 2, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith, marked A, a copy of a note by me addressed to his excellency the secretary of foreign relations of Chili, dated July 31, 1861.

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I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State of the United States.

JOHN BIGLER.

A.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Santiago de Chili, July 31, 1861.

SIR: The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the honor to inform your excellency that, in consequence of the President of the so-called "Confederated States of America" having issued a proclamation announcing that he has been empowered and is prepared to issue letters of marque to all who are willing to enter the service of the said States as privateers, he, the undersigned, has been instructed by his government to be vigilant to the extent of his power to prevent vessels from being fitted out in the ports of Chili under the authority of the said "Confederated States." The government of the undersigned, denying the right of the States composing the so-called "Confederated States of America" to secede, as they have done, from the American Union, and maintaining that the people of the States which have so seceded still owe fealty to the Constitution and laws of the United States, has determined to enforce obedience thereto on the part of the whole people thereof, and has solemnly proclaimed and declared that any person who shall, "under the pretended authority of the Confederated States, or under any other pretence, molest a vessel of the United States, or the persons or cargo on board of her, such person will be held amenable to the laws of the United States for the prevention and punishment of piracy."

Information has recently been communicated to the undersigned of such a character and from such sources as to induce the belief on his part that there are now, or have very recently been, in Chili parties endeavoring to effect a purchase of munitions of war to be used in fitting out privateers for the service of the so-called "Confederated States of America."

Although the undersigned cannot vouch for the correctness of this informa

tion, he can assure your excellency that he regards the same of sufficient importance, in view of the before-mentioned instructions of his government, to require him to inform your excellency thereof, and to very respectfully suggest to your excellency's government to adopt such measures as it may deem advisable to secure vigilance on the part of the proper officials to prevent the fitting out of privateers in the ports of Chili with a view of committing assaults upon the lives and property of citizens of his country engaged in lawful commerce.

In conclusion, the undersigned begs to add that he has directed inquiries. to be made at the different ports in Chili, and that he will promptly impart to your excellency's government any important facts relating to the object of this note which may hereafter come to his knowledge.

The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your excellency assurances of his sincere respect and high consideration.

His Excel'y the SECRETARY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS

JOHN BIGLER.

Of the Republic of Chili.

Mr. Bigler to Mr. Seward.

No. 138.]

[Extract.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Santiago de Chili, August 17, 1861.

SIR: "In my despatch, No. 136, dated August 2, 1861, I had the honor to enclose a copy of a note by me addressed to his excellency the secretary of foreign relations of Chili, inviting his attention to the instructions given me by my government, and also to rumors which had reached me concerning efforts making in the city of Valparaiso to obtain munitions of war to be used, as was feared, in fitting out privateers, under the authority of the socalled 'Confederate States of America.'

"I now have the honor to enclose herewith, marked A, a copy and translation of his excellency's reply to my note above alluded to, and which, as it is exceedingly cordial, and in every respect highly satisfactory, it is hoped will be read with care and pleasure by you."

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State of the United States.

JOHN BIGLER.

L. S.]

A.

Mr. Varas to Mr. Seward.

[Translation.]

SANTIAGO, August 7, 1861.

SIR I have had the honor of reading the note dated the 31st ultimo, which your excellency was pleased to address me. In it your excellency

informs me that you have received instructions from your government to endeavor to impede, as far as your powers will permit, that in the ports of Chili privateers be armed for the service of the States which have recently declined to recognize the authority of the government of the Union, and have constituted themselves under a de facto government, with the title of Confederated States of America-instructions given to your excellency in consequence of a recent proclamation of the President of these States, wherein he announces that he is empowered and prepared to issue letters of marque.

At the same time your excellency informs me that you have recently received information inducing you to believe that there are at present, or recently have been, in Chili, persons endeavoring to purchase munitions of war, in order to employ the same in arming privateers for the service of the said Confederated States of America; and in view of this information your excellency signifies to me a desire that my government adopt such measures as it may deem expedient, in order to prevent the fitting out of such privateers in the ports of the republic.

I must assure your excellency, in reply, that my government, complying with the duties which it owes to a friendly state, is disposed to prevent preparations of warlike character, or any other operations hostile to the United States, from being effected in any port whatever of the territory of the republic; and that consequently the necessary orders will be given to the respective authorities to keep especial watch in this particular. However, as far as regards privateering expeditions which may prepare or arm themselves on the coasts of Chili, it might happen in many cases that the zeal and vigilance of the authorities might prove inefficacious to discover them; so that it is to be desired that whatever news your excellency might obtain on the subject, you would have the kindness to transmit the same to me, in order that I might, in view thereof, issue the most opportune instructions to frustrate the carrying out of such expeditions.

In the mean time will your excellency be pleased to accept the assurances of my distinguished consideration, with which I remain your excellency's most obedient servant,

ANTONIO VARAS.

The ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY

Of the United States of North America.

No. 139.]

Mr. Bigler to Mr. Seward.

[Extract.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Santiago de Chili, September 2, 1861.

"Herewith I have the honor to enclose, marked A, a copy of a communication by me addressed to his excellency the secretary of foreign relations of this republic, under date of August 21, 1861, in acknowledgment of a note from his excellency, dated August 7, 1861, upon the subject of the suppression of rumored privateering expeditions, which note formed enclosure A in my despatch No. 138."

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I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN BIGLER.

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