Mr. Nelson to Mr. Seward.
Sir:* * * * * * *
On the 29th ultimo intelligence reached Valparaiso that the Chincha islands, belonging to Peru, had been forcibly seized by her Catholic Majesty’s squadron, under the command of Admiral Pinzon. The whole country was immediately thrown into a state of the utmost excitement. Immense public meetings were held in every province of the republic, composed of all classes of the people of every shade of political opinion. The speeches, resolutions, and proceedings of these meetings evince a perfect frenzy of patriotic enthusiasm. Party lines, for the time being, are obliterated in view of the common danger. In this city, particularly, the popular sentiment is manifested in every mode in which an [Page 180] excited public opinion can find voice. The press teems with inflammatory articles, the public institutions echo their warlike tone, voluntary military organizations are springing up all over the country, and a considerable sum has already been subscribed to aid in the purchase of one or more iron-clad vessels-of war. Various associations have tendered their services in a body. The veterans of the war of independence, without an exception, have offered themselves to the government to repel the insult to a sister republic, to whose independence they had so materially contributed. Never has the public sentiment of any country been more earnestly and unmistakably manifested. All make common cause against what they conceive to be the common enemy.
Every effort has been made to force the government into a warlike attitude and its position became at once delicate and difficult. In the absence of sufficient facts to form an accurate judgment as to the designs of Spain, it was insisted that measures unfriendly, if not hostile, should be immediately adopted.
For the purpose of allaying the popular excitement, as well as to define the position of the government in this important crisis, Mr. Tocornal, the minister for foreign affairs, published a circular addressed to the “governments of America,” dated May 4, 1864, a copy and translation of which I have the honor to enclose herein, marked A.
Although this document is eminently wise and patriotic, and at the same time firm and decided in its tone in regard to the ground that Chili should take in the event that her Catholic Majesty’s government mean to exercise the right of “revindication” or reconquest; yet it was not considered by the press or the people, in the heated condition of the public mind, as sufficiently belligerent. Apparently nothing short of immediate unconditional war would answer.
Mr. Tocornal, I am sorry to say, yielded to the popular clamor, and on the 7th instant resigned his position. His resignation, under the circumstances, I regard as a public calamity. The country thus loses, in a most eventful period of its history, the services of one of its ablest and most faithful public servants. I regret it the more as our official and personal relations were most cordial, and because he has ever been a steadfast and outspoken friend of the United States.
Don Alvaro Covarrubias was indicated as his successor, and on the 11th instant I received the. official announcement of his appointment, to which I responded the same day. (See enclosures B and C.)
* * * * * * * * *
No active hostilities having taken place since the occupation of the islands by the Spanish squadron, the popular effervescence within the past week has somewhat subsided, only, in my opinion, to break out with increased violence if the conduct of Admiral Pinzon should be approved by his government, or any further hostile acts should be committed. This republic will undoubtedly make common cause with Peru. The government will be irresistibly drawn into the conflict, or a domestic revolution is inevitable.
It is understood that orders have been issued to government officials along the coast to refuse coal and supplies to any Spanish vessel-of-war that may touch at any port in Chili.
* * * * * * * * *
In nearly all the public meetings that have been held, the change of conduct and policy of European powers towards the republics of this continent is attributed to the existence of the rebellion in the United States. But for this, it is thought there would have been no interference in the affairs of Santo Domingo, Mexico, or Peru. They, therefore, most earnestly pray for the speedy suppression of the rebellion and the reassertion of our traditional policy.
A few days ago, at a meeting of the officers, professors, and teachers of the University of Chili, the following resolution was introduced by the rector, the venerable jurisconsult Don Andres Bello, which was adopted by acclamation:
[Page 181]“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.