Mr. Nelson to Mr.
Seward.
No. 252.]
Legation of the United States,
Santiago de Chili,
March 1, 1866.
Sir: On the 27th ultimo I received a note from
the secretary of foregn relations, acknowledging the receipt of my own
of the 23d ultimo, which formed enclosure B, in my despatch No. 250.
This note brings the negotiation in regard to arbitration, initiated by
me on the 12th of February, to a close for the present. (A.) Should the
opportunity occur, however, of preventing further bloodshed, and of
coming to a peaceful arrangement of the questions pending between Chili
and Spain, I entertain an earnest hope that the good offices of this
legation may be the means employed to that end.
Having concluded the only negotiation pending with the government of
Chili, viz., that of arbitration above alluded to, I have hastened to
apply to the secretary of foreign relations, requesting that he confer
with his excellency the president, asking that he grant me an interview
for the purpose of presenting my letter of recall, and at the same time
of presenting my successor for official recognition, as the envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States. For
that purpose I have to day addressed a note to his excellency the
secretary of foreign affairs. (See enclosure B.)
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
A.
[Translation.]
Mr. Covarrubias to Mr. Nelson.
Department of Foreign Relations
of the Republic of Chili,
Santiago,
February 27, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your
excellency of the receipt of your note dated the 23d instant, by
which your excellency is pleased to state to me that the offer of
arbitration made by your excellency in your former communication,
dated the 17th instant, has its origin in the ardent desire of your
government and your own to thus arrive at an honorable and pacific
termination of the existing hostilities between Chili and Spain, and
that consequently it may be considered as a permanent offer, open to
the acceptance of the government of the republic at such time as it
may deem opportune.
In informing your excellency that I have taken note of the foregoing,
I take pleasure in tendering to you the most earnest thanks for the
friendly wishes you express in favor of Chili, and in reiterating to
you the assurances of the very distinguished consideration and
appreciation with which I am
Your excellency’s most obedient servant,
The Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary
of the United States of North
America.
B.
Mr. Nelson to Mr. Covarrubias.
Legation of the United
States,
Santiago de Chili,
March 1, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your
excellency that General Judson Kilpatrick having been appointed by
the President of the United States to succeed me as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States near
the government of the republic or Chili, I respectfully request your
excellency to confer with his excellency the president of the
republic as to the time when it will be convenient for his
excellency to receive General Kilpatrick and myself, so that I may
present my letter of recall and my successor his credentials.
I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of the letter of the
President of the United States, informing me of my recall, together
with a copy of the remarks which I intend addressing his excellency
upon terminating my official relations with the government of Chili.
[Page 383]
A copy of an autograph
letter of the President of the United States accrediting my
successor, the Hon. Judson Kilpatrick, as envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary of the United States near the government of
your excellency, and a copy of the remarks which he will address to
the president on presenting his letter of credence, are also
herewith enclosed.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration and sincere
esteem.
His Excellency the Secretary of Foreign
Relations
of the Republic of Chili, &c., &c.,
&c.
