Mr. Nelson to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to advise that from the date of my last despatch to the present, the war between Chili and Spain has not presented any new features of importance. The blockade of the six ports, announced by Admiral Pareja, is still maintained, but no further acts of hostility have occurred, and I have merely to confirm my opinion that the admiral will now await fresh instructions from Madrid before proceeding to operations of more serious character. These instructions will arrive here at the close of December or the middle of January, when it is my impression that he will either withdraw from Chilian waters or proceed to a more active class of hostilities.
Rumors of attempts soon to be made to destroy the vessels of the blockading squadron by means of iron torpedo-boats are rife here, and the Chilians look forward with confidence to the assistance of the Peruvian navy, should the revolutionary cause then triumph.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.