Mr. Seward to Mr. Koerner.
Sir: I give you for your information a copy of two despatches, which have just been received from Mr. Robinson, our minister in Peru, upon the subject of the disturbed relations existing between that country and Spain.
I have already authorized you to say to Mr. Pacheco that the President feels a deep interest in the preservation of peace between these countries. I have now to enjoin upon you as earnest an exertion of your good offices in that matter as shall be consistent with the sincere respect and courtesy which are entertained by this country towards Spain. It would not be any more useful than it would be becoming for the United States to assume a right to investigate the circumstances which are understood to threaten a collision. They will confine themselves to the expression of a hope, that both nations may both be willing to each confer in a spirit of conciliation, so long as no sacrifice of any important right or of honor may be exacted on either side. Mr. Pacheco need hardly be informed that the United States are enduring, not without profound sadness and sorrow, the calamities of civil war, and that their best efforts are directed to bring that unhappy conflict to a close as speedily as possible in the only form consistent with the integrity of the American republic. They deplore the war which is exhausting the neighboring state of Mexico, and they witness with pain the scenes of strife that are now exhibited in Dominica. While they do not falter in performing their duty as neutrals in the two foreign wars I have mentioned, they think it not improper to exert every effort they can to favor the return of peace, and to prevent the spread of war over regions of the American continent which are yet safe from its visitation. The President of the United States has on many recent occasions manifested his sincere desire to respect the position which Spain held at home, as well as the position she held in America, when our own unhappy civil war began; and to conduct our necessary correspondence with the Spanish government in such a manner that when that strife shall come to an end, it shall leave no sentiments of alienation or discord between the two countries. This desire is no less earnestly entertained now than it has been heretofore. It is hardly necessary, however, to say, that there is a sympathy which has long existed, and which constantly gains growth and strength, between the South American nations on this continent and the United States, and that it is hoped, on our part, that Spain will think it wise, as well as liberal, to regard with complacency and favor the progress and development of those States; partly, because that progress reflects honor upon Spain herself, by whom most of them were instituted as colonies, and in some measure because they are, and must continue ever hereafter to be, neighbors and friends, in whose welfare the United States are deeply interested.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Gustavus Koerner, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Madrid.