Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I yesterday communicated to Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys the contents of your despatch, No. 551, in reference to the difficulties which have arisen between Peru and Spain. He assured me that the government of the Emperor would cheerfully advise the peaceful settlement of these questions, and that it had already done so to the Spanish ambassador at this court. In reference to your suggestion, that, in the present condition of things, it was desirable that a new effort should be made by the French government to avert the occurrence of war between Spain and Peru, and restore amicable relations between them, he said that he would, by their very next courier to Madrid, send an earnest despatch to that government, counselling and sincerely advising it to settle their difficulty with Peru in a spirit of peace, and without resort to war. He said that France did not assume to judge who was right and who was wrong in the controversies that had arisen, and could go no further, therefore, than earnestly and in good faith urge its counsel. He had, it would seem, already had communication with the Spanish government, and was informed by it that they did not seek in Peru the acquisition of any territory, &c.; that they required only a settlement which would satisfy their honor, &c. These generalities, of course, amount to nothing.
At the request of the Peruvian minister at this court I telegraphed on Wednesday to Mr. Koerner, at Madrid, to know if the existing government there approved of the action of its officials in the Pacific, in seizing the Chincha islands, &c.; and last night I received from him by telegraph the following answer: “Government will not approve, unless official information, not received yet, vary facts reported.—Koerner, United States Minister.”
The French government, in all these questions, consults first and last its own political policy, and one of its lines of policy is, as supposed, to keep its relations good with Spain; so that, in the event of trouble on the continent, its enemies may be in front, and everything peaceful and quiet behind it. Its present influence with Spain is believed to be great; and inasmuch as that government is now vacillating or hesitating as to its course of action in respect to Peru, the minister of Peru at this court thinks it possible that the interference or counsel of France, if frankly given in favor of a peaceful solution of the question, may determine the result. * * * * * *
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.