Mr. Seward to Mr. Tassara
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note addressed to him on the 15th instant by Mr. Tassara, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of her Catholic Majesty, and to state that the same has been submitted to the President of the United States.
The note announces that in consequence of the declaration of war against Spain by the government of Chili, General Pareja, the commanding general of [Page 584] Spanish squadron in the Pacific, acting under instructions, had declared the ports of Chili blockaded from the 24th of September last.
War having actually begun between the two sovereign states, doubtless with a due conviction of the solemnity and importance of the transaction entertained by both of them, a discussion by the government of the United States of the merits of the controversy would not be compatible with the respect which it entertains for these two friendly nations. Nevertheless, the undersigned trusts that each of them will allow the united States to say, with the utmost kindness and respect, that the war ought to have been averted, since the issue joined involves nothing more than the question whether one of the parties ought to pay to the other the courtesy of an artillery salute. The United States cannot but hope that the war, since it involves no other issue than this, will, through the good sense and friendly spirit of both countries, be brought to a speedy and harmless end.
It seems to remain to say, on this occasion, only that while the war shall last, the government of the United States will observe the neutrality which is enjoined by its own municipal law, and by the law of nations. No armed vessel of either party will be allowed to bring their prizes into the ports of the United States.
The undersigned offers to Mr. Tassara renewed assurances of his highest consideration.
Señor Don Gabriel Garcia Y. Tassara, &c., &c., &c.,Washington.