Mr. Nelson to Mr.
Seward.
No. 248.]
Legation of the United States,
Santiago de Chili,
February 15, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that during
my late visit to Valparaiso I called upon the commander-in-chief of the
Spanish squadron, Admiral Casta Mendez Nunez, and had a long and
interesting conversation with him. We conversed freely upon the existing
conflict between Chili and Spain, and it was most gratifying to me to
find in him a spirit of conciliation and a desire for a peaceful
solution to the pending difficulties, in marked contrast to the
persistent hostility manifested by the late admiral.
I returned to Santiago immediately afterwards and sought an interview
with the secretary of foreign relations. I informed his excellency of
the deep interest with which our government had pursued the course of
events, subsequent to the arrival in the waters of Chili of the Spanish
squadron, under the orders of Admiral Pareja, and the earnest desire of
that government to bring about a peaceful solution of the pending
difficulties; that the true interests of Chili as well as Spain would be
promoted by such solution, and that I had been instructed from time to
time to omit no effort to that end.
I stated that it was the opinion of our government that Chili had already
evinced so much chivalry and national spirit, in her acceptance and
conduct of the war, as to render it perfectly consistent with her honor
to offer or accept negotiation with a view to peace. I likewise informed
him that the United States had manifested so severe an impartiality
since the opening of the contest as to render that government, perhaps,
the most acceptable arbiter of the question, and besought that of Chili
to accept the friendly offices of the United States as such arbiter.
Mr. Covarrubias informed me that the government of Chili had manifested,
from the very beginning of the difficulties, an earnest desire for
peace; that she was willing at any moment to conclude the strife, if it
could be done consistently with her honor and dignity; that he accepted
the idea of arbitration, but feared that several difficulties lay in the
way of its practicable realization; that in the first place, France and
England had recently, through their representatives in Santiago,
tendered their mediation in the question between Chili and Spain, a
mediation which had been accepted by the latter, but which Chili could
not at present accept; that since the instructions were written ordering
that mediation to be tendered, complications had arisen which were
unforeseen, and which those instructions did not cover, alluding to the
treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, between the republic of
Chili and that of Peru, for carrying on hostilities against Spain; that
he had consequently replied to those offers of mediation, stating that
he could not accept the same unless the questions between Peru and Spain
were included in the same, nor even then, save upon bases which Chili
would present, should the mediation ever become practically realizable.
He further stated that it might be deemed discourteous to England and
France, were his government, after declining, although only
conditionally, the offered mediation, should accept a similar tender
from the United States, but that he would lay the subject before the
president, and inform me of the result. I then informed Mr. Covarrubias
that I would present my proposition in writing, and on the 12th instant
addressed him a note, embodying the views expressed in the interview,
and including in my proposition, as will be perceived by its perusal,
the Peruvian-Spanish question, so as to save the government of Chili
from all embarrassment.
I called upon Mr. Covarrubias this afternoon to learn the result of his
conference with the president. He informed me that the mails for Europe
and the north closing to-day, he feared it would be impossible to hand
me to-day the
[Page 373]
written official
opinion of his government, but would do so to-morrow, and meanwhile
again informed me that, while he accepted the idea of arbitration with
gratitude, he could not, for the reasons hereinbefore stated, accept the
proposition itself at present, or until the negotiations in regard to
mediation pending with England and France should be concluded.
I then informed his excellency that so desirous was my government to
witness a peaceful solution of the pending difficulties, that I would,
upon receipt of his reply, address him a further communication,
informing him, in view of the embarrassment preventing the present
acceptance of my proposition, he might consider that offer as a
permanent one open for the acceptance of his government at any future
time when those obstacles should be removed.
I have also the honor to transmit herewith, marked B, a copy and
translation of the joint protest of the consular corps of Valparaiso
against the decree of Admiral Mendez declaring Chilian coal to be
contraband of war, and also, marked C, a note from the admiral to the
United States consul, embodying his views on the subject and his
determination to carry out his decree. This note is very severe in its
tone, and characterizes the consular protest as hostile, and its signers
as liable to be considered enemies of Spain.
A want of time has rendered it necessary to write very briefly and
hastily; but these facts are of such interest that I deem it my duty not
to postpone their transmission until the next mail, when I will forward
the note of Mr. Covarrubias.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
P. S —The mail being about to close, enclosure C will accompany my
next despatch.
Mr. Nelson’s note to government of Chili, offering
arbitration.
Legation of the United
States,
Santiago de Chili,
February 12, 1866.
Sir: The government of the United States
has followed with the most profound interest the course of events
subsequent to the arrival in Valparaiso of the squadron of her
Catholic Majesty in September last, and has seen with deep regret
the existence of hostilities between the nations towards which it
entertains a sincere friendship, and with both of which it
cultivates the most cordial relations. Believing, as my government
does, that the true interests of Chili, as well as those of Spain,
would be promoted by a peaceful settlement of the questions at issue
between them, it has instructed me from time to time, both before
and since the opening of hostilities, to omit no effort, to lose no
favorable opportunity to bring, if possible, the discussion of those
questions to the calmer ground of arbitration.
The adoption at this time of a course so eminently prudent and wise
can in no manner affect injuriously the interests of either of the
belligerent parties. Chili, in the opinion of the government which I
have the honor to represent, has already evinced so much chivalry
and national spirit in accepting the war, and in the measures
adopted for carrying it on, as to render it perfectly consistent
with her honor to offer or accept negotiation with a view to
peace.
I would, therefore, ask the government of Chili, in the name of that
of the United States, to seriously meditate whether it would not be
better for the interests of the republic, and for those of the
civilized world, that a combat injurious to each should cease, and
whatever questions of difference exist be referred to the arbitral
decision of some friendly power. And I desire still further to
manifest the sincere wish of my government for peace, by hereby
tendering to Chili its good offices as arbiter in the premises. The
United States have since the beginning of the present conflict,
evidenced so deep an interest in the welfare of the contending
parties, and have maintained so strict an impartiality, that I
cannot but entertain an earnest hope that this offer may meet the
cheerful acquiescence both of your excellency’s government and that
of her Catholic Majesty, to which I am confident that a similar
proposition has been or will soon be made.
[Page 374]
It is true mat since the date of the instructions from Washington, to
which I have alluded, new complications have arisen, which might, if
their consideration were not embraced in the present communication,
embarrass the action of the government of Chili to this suggestion.
I allude to the treaty, offensive and defensive, between the
republics of Chili and Peru, by the terms of which they have agreed
to afford to one another mutual aid in the prosecution of
hostilities against the forces of Spain. The solemn ratification and
promulgation of that treaty render it necessary that, in order to
accept the offer of arbitration herein contained, the goverment be
also consulted, and the questions of difference between that country
and Spain included in said arbitration. Anticipating this possible
embarrassment, I do not hesitate to embrace, in this tender of good
offices of my government as arbiter, the questions likewise pending
between these two nations.
The government of Chili, whose relations with my own have ever been
most cordial, will, in accepting this proposition, give a new and
gratifying evidence of its sincere desire to strengthen these
relations by listening to the friendly voice which counsels the
relinquishment of the stern measures of war, and the recourse to the
decision of a just and impartial tribunal.
I avail myself of this occasion to reiterate to your excellency the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration and respect.
His Excellency the Secretary of Foreign
Relations
of the republic of Chili.
B.
[Translation.]
Protest of the consular corps.
The following is the note with which the said corps has replied to
the declaration of the commander-in-chief of the Spanish squadron in
the Pacific, in regard to the coal from Chilian mines:
Valparaiso,
February 6, 1866.
The undersigned members of the consular corps, assembled at the
consular general of his Faithful Majesty the King of Portugal, have
made themselves aware of the contents of the note which his
excellency, the commander-in-chief of the squadron of her Catholic
Majesty in the Pacific, was pleased to address to the dean of the
consular corps of this city on the 29th of January last. In that
note and the accompanying resolution, the commander-in-chief is
pleased to set forth that he has declared the coal of the different
mines of Chili to be contraband of war, and that consequently
neutral vessels on board of which those of the squadron of her
Catholic Majesty may find this combustible, whatever be its port of
destination, will be subject to the provisions of the fourth article
of the blockade instructions.
It is not the intention of the undersigned to enter into a discussion
either upon the greater or less right possessed by the
commander-in-chief to make the said declaration, nor upon the
considerations upon which it is founded, nor upon the consequences
to be deduced therefrom, and they leave to their respective
governments the reservation to discuss with that of his excellency
the questions involved in the measure adopted.
The undersigned, in conformity with the principles contained in the
protest which they presented to the predecessor of his excellency,
under date of the 5th of October last, deeming it their unavoidable
duty to assist and protect the commerce of their peoples and the
free navigation of the vessels bearing the flag of their respective
nations, whenever they are employed in lawful traffic, cannot do
otherwise than protest in the most formal manner, and make the
government of the commander-in-chief responsible for all damages
that may be caused to their people in consequence of the said
resolution relative to coal from the different mines of the republic
of Chili.
For this purpose the undersigned have likewise agreed that the
present be drawn up in duplicate, one being addressed to the
commander-in-chief of the squadron of her Catholic Majesty in the
Pacific, through Mr. George Lyon, consul general of his Faithful
Majesty and dean of this consular corps, and the other of the same
tenor filed in the consulate general of his Faithful Majesty the
King of Portual.
[Page 375]
The undersigned, begging the commander-in-chief to be pleased to
acknowledge the receipt of the present communication, have the honor
to offer to his excellency the assurances of their high
consideration and respect.
GEORGE LYON, Consul General of
Portugal.
CARLOS PERIE, Consul General of Hamburg
and in charge of the Consulate of
Mecklenburg-Schwerein.
CARLOS BAHLSEN, Consul General of Sweden
and Norway.
G. ROSENBERG, Consul of the Republic of
Salvador.
G. GIRANDOT, Consul of his Majesty the
Emperor of the French.
DAVID THOMAS, Consul General of the
Sandwich Islands.
FELIPE CALURAUN, Consul of the Republic of
Guatemala.
OSCAR AD. BERCKEMEYER, Consul General Y.
R. of Austria.
ARNALDO TH. DROSTE, Consul General of
Bremen and Consul of Oldenburg.
F. MATTHAEI, Consul of his Majesty the
King of Hanover.
B. FISCHER. Consul of
Switzerland.
NICHOLAS C. SCHUTH, Consul General of his
Majesty the King of Denmark.
JOSÉ CURLETTI, Deputy Consul of
Italy.
JOHN HEYER, Consul of the Kingdom of
Saxony.
J. H. PIERSON, Vice-Consul of
Brazil.
JULIO GRISAR, Consul of Belgium and in
charge of the Consulate of Holland.
A. W. CLARK, United States
Consul.
GREGORIO BEECHE, Argentine Consul
General.
His Excellency D. Casto Mendez Nunez,
Commander-in-chief of the squadron of her
Catholic Majesty in the Pacific.
