Mr. Hall to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your despatch (No. 35) of the 28th of September. General Melgarejo, with his army of fifteen hundred men, is still [Page 329] in Potosi. This city continues in the possession of the constitutionalists. General Castro Arguedes, who has been all along the head of the part}7 in the city and department of La Paz which has declared against Melgarejo, and which is too strong to be subdued by him, has established a provisional government. His programme is simple and effective; the “constitution,” and, as soon as Melgarejo shall be put down, a congress and a constitutional government. The intelligent portion of the population in this city is very nearly unanimous in its support of Arguedes and the policy he has pledged himself to pursue.
A gentleman in La Paz, a foreigner, who has resided there for some years, and on whose judgment I rely, has spoken very highly of him to me.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.