Mr. Seward to Mr. Koerner.
Sir: In relation to the difficulties which have arisen between Spain and Peru, there is one suggestion which, while it is my duty to make it, I desire to submit in a manner as entirely inoffensive as possible to the government of Spain, and to the other maritime powers of Europe. I have, therefore, reserved it for communication in this separate and confidential note.
If we can safely infer anything concerning the deliberate intentions of Spain from your despatches to this government, and by the declarations made by the Spanish special commissioner and the Spanish admiral when they seized the Chincha islands, it is that Spain does not desire or design to carry her proceedings [Page 24] to the extreme of open war. Nevertheless, when reprisals are made, neither one nor both of the parties can be certain of their ability to confine the consequences within the limits previously fixed. Nor is it to be forgotten that Peru, in appealing to the United States and to other friendly nations, is at liberty to argue that Spain, by adopting the measure of reprisals, precipitately and unnecessarily, as Peru contends, manifests a purpose to overthrow the independence of that country, and subvert its government This argument derives at least apparent support from the recital of the Spanish agents of the fact that Spain has not acknowledged Peru, and the assertion that upon some principle, not fully explained, Spain can rightfully recover her ancient property in the Chincha islands.
It will be your duty to make it known to her Catholic Majesty’s government that the United States cannot yield their assent to the positions thus assumed in the name of Spain, or regard with indifference an attempt to reduce Peru by conquest and re-annex its territory to the kingdom of Spain.
This government, seriously pre-occupied with domestic affairs, has deemed it prudent and just, and has found it possible thus far, to hold itself, as well as the whole American people, absolutely neutral in two wars which are waged by European states in portions of America. I refer to the war of France against Mexico, and to the civil war to which Spain is a party in the island of St. Domingo. This government has been able to practice this neutrality and enforce its observance upon American citizens, because all the maritime powers of Europe, while they have constantly assured the United States of their purpose to maintain neutrality in our own unhappy civil war, have also disclaimed designs of political conquest in America. Several of the South American republican states, however, naturally sympathizing, as they must, with the republic of Mexico, and with the revolutionists of Spanish St. Domingo, allege, on the contrary, that several of the European states, which once had colonies here, are now seeking to reduce them again to the condition of dependencies. These apprehensions are not unlikely to be entertained by the whole people of the United States. The proceedings of Spain in Peru give them color which is deeply to be regretted. Indeed a general discontent with the forbearance of the government is already manifest. Should the sentiment of this country demand a reconsideration of the policy of neutrality which the government has hitherto maintained, it is very much to be feared that new complications might arise, which would not merely disturb the existing systems of commerce, but might endanger the general peace of nations. I need not enlarge upon the subject I have thus presented. It was fully discussed by me, when, in an early stage of our civil war, I endeavored to set forth the evils which it was foreseen here must result from any favor shown by the maritime powers to the existing insurrection in the United States. Subsequent events have not impaired the arguments which were then presented. The United States are no more prepared now than they were then to surrender either their own integrity or their proper position in the family of nations.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Gustavus Koerner, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Madrid.