[Extracts.]
Mr. Koerner to Mr. Seward.
No. 102.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, June 14, 1864.
Sir:Whilst the ministers here were waiting to
hear from Mr. Salazar before taking a decided course in the Peruvian
difficulties—it being, however, well understood that, unless an entirely
different face should be put on the matter by his despatches, his acts
and those of the admiral would be disapproved and disavowed—telegraphic
despatches have arrived from Southampton last night of a character which
may change the aspects of things considerably.
Mr. Salazar Ms reached Southampton, and has telegraphed an account of his
adventures in leaving Peru and passing through Panama, calculated to
create considerable excitement here. I enclose you an article in last
night’s Epoca, containing the substance of what he telegraphed. That
this account was exaggerated and highly colored, I had not the least
doubt the moment I read it.
I called upon Mr. Pacheco early this morning. In spite of several efforts
I had not been able to see him since his return from Aranjuez, which
took place on the 10th instant, and since I had received your despatch
No. 95, of 19th May last, marked confidential.
* * * * * *
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He developed these ideas in various ways, leaving, however, the
impression upon my mind very firmly that the ministry would use every
exertion to avoid hostilities. On day after to-morrow is the regular day
for the diplomatic corps to hold interviews with the minister. By that
time Mr. Pacheco may be able to indicate to me the course which the
ministry propose to take, in view of the new phase of the question.
* * * * * *
The surrender of Arguelles has given umbrage to the enemies of General
Dulce here. They pretend that General Dulce himself is at the bottom of
all those speculations in negroes, and that Arguelles would have made a
clean breast of it, and exposed the duplicity of that person.
Dulce’s antecedents in the revolution of 1854 are certainly of a
character that would lend color to almost any charges of deceitfulness
and treachery. But, at the same time, I know too well the disposition of
the politicians of this country to pursue one another with unscrupulous
and unrelenting fury, as not to be very cautious in believing such
accusations as are now launched against General Dulce by his enemies, of
which he has a good many.
I am, &c.,
[Translation.]
VERY IMPORTANT.
From our special correspondent we receive to-day from England
telegraphic despatches, the gravity of which will be understood by
the simple relation made to us, and upon which we abstain from any
commentary until there be official confirmation of them.
Mr. Salazar y Mazarredo landed yesterday at Southampton. With
reference to the passengers who came with him, and with reference to
himself, it is said, the agnation was extraordinary in Peru and
other neighboring republics; in Chili preparations were making for
war, to hasten to the aid of the neighbor republic.
The diplomatic corps had intervened and proposed a solution, in
virtue of which Messrs. Pinzon and Salazar had offered to evacuate
the Chincha islands; but although the Peruvian government was
favorable, the pressure of the people prevented acceptance, and all
negotiation was refused whilst Peruvian territory was occupied by
foreign forces.
The authorities wished to detain the English packet Talca, which had
received Mr. Salazar y Mazarredo on board, who, in view of the
dangers hovering around him, had arranged to go to Spain. The
commander of the packet defended Mr. Salazar energetically,
declaring that if the least violence was done to him, the English
forces would take possession of the Peruvian squadron anchored at
Callao.
Among the passengers on the Talca were, it is said, emissaries
charged to assassinate Mr. Salazar. He, however, got safe and sound
to Panama, where the populace made a disturbance and broke the
windows, and trampled on the flag of the French consul, in whose
house Mr. Salazar had sought refuge. On the 21st May he left Panama,
incurring great risks, and owing his safety to the English. Mr.
Salazar, who landed yesterday at Southampton, and is somewhat out of
health, was to-day to have continued his voyage to Spain. He will
not reach Madrid till Thursday or Friday.
At the latest moment we receive the following despatch from the Havas
agency: “Paris, 13th, (at 10 o’clock;) Southampton, 13th.—Mazarredo
has reached here in the mail steamer Sena.”
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Peru.—The foreign ministers in Peru have
sought to arrange the difference. Peru refused to treat while
Spanish troops occupied its territory. The Peruvian authorities
sought to detain the mail steamer Talca, on its way to Panama to
catch Mazarredo. The captain of the English war steamer Leander
hindered this project, notifying the Peruvian admiral that, in case
of such an outrage, he would capture all the Peruvian vessels in the
harbor.
Among the passengers in the Talca were four Peruvian emissaries, who
paid several negroes to assassinate Mr. Salazar y Mazarredo. On
reaching Panama, in consequence of the threatening of those negroes,
Mazarredo sought refuge in the house of Mr. Nelson; this saved his
life, but the consulate general of France was attacked, the windows
broken, and the flag trampled on; many other injuries being done in
the belief that Mazarredo was within. He left Panama on the 21st,
early in the day, followed by a band of assassins to Aspinwall,
where his life was safe, thanks to the courage and generosity of the
officers of the English Mail Steam Company.
