No. 136.]
Legation of the United
States,
Santiago de
Chili,
August 2, 1861.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State of the United States.
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
information, [Page 430] 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
Of the Republic of Chili.
