Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
A.
Mr. Kilpatrick to Señor Covarrubias.
Legation of the United
States,
Santiago, Chili, June 14, 1866.
Sir: Heretofore, for good and valid
reasons, I have not thought it advisable to answer or deny any of
the very many statements that have appeared, from time to time, in
the papers of this city prejudicial to the republic I have the honor
to represent, and most injurious to the long-established friendship
existing between Chili and the United States. I am now, however,
convinced that to remain longer silent would be to do my country and
myself great injustice. I cannot permit the people of Chili to think
that my government would send a representative
[Page 416]
to a sister republic who could do one
single act against her welfare or honor, much less display such
contemptible duplicity as the remarkable report of the Spanish
admiral, Casto Mendez Nunez, would lead them to believe. You, better
than all men, know the real motives that actuated me in striving for
peace, and that while my action was not official, yet it was, in
every respect, open and honorable. From the official report of the
Spanish admiral it may well be inferred that I acted for the
interests of Spain alone; that I considered his unreasonable terms
for peace most reasonable and just; that I openly complimented him
for, and approved of, his determination to destroy Valparaiso, and,
in fact, approved of his entire course. To say that this is not only
not true in word, but in spirit also, is the object of this
communication.
The first proposition submitted to you for your consideration by
Commodore Rodgers and myself was a complete cessation of hostilities
and a mutual salute, in order that the War might end by peaceful
negotiation. I thought it my duty to recommend this and this only,
and this proposition was rejected by the Spanish admiral, as he says
in his report. So far from recommending this ultimatum of Nunez,
which included the rendition of the “Cova-donga” with her flag and
armament in exchange for captured merchantmen, I distinctly told him
Chili could not accept it; that there was a vast difference between
a vessel of war taken in honorable combat and helpless merchantmen
seized by a powerful fleet, and to which but little honor attached;
and you will remember that when I presented to you these terms of
the Spanish admiral I took particular pains to state that I simply
gave them to you as coming from him for what they were worth, and
did not, by any means, recommend them. Again he says that Commodore
Rodgers approved of his resolution to bombard Valparaiso, and that I
repeated the same words. This also is untrue. I not only did not
approve of this unjust act, but I advised him to delay the execution
of his cruel orders until others could be sent him, rather than do
an act that would disgrace his country forever. I did say to him on
parting that we had met and would part friendly; that in the
performance of our respective duties each must be the judge of his
own actions, and that if I found it necessary to come in conflict
with him it would not destroy that respect which I entertained for
him as a soldier.
By my protest, a copy of which I herewith enclose, you will see that
I do not approve, by one word, the course taken by Spain, and that
her representative in his official report has entirely
misrepresented me and my feelings towards the nation and people
among whom I am sent to reside.
I met Admiral Nunez not officially, but in the character of an
individual desirous for peace between two nations which war could do
no good, but much injury, not only to them but to commerce and
civilization. I had no quarrel with him; and if he thinks because I
met him frankly and openly—that because I did not meet and leave him
coolly, I approved of his course or sympathized with the cause of
Spain, he makes a great mistake.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
His Excellency Alvaro Covarrubias,
Secretary of State, Republic of
Chili.
B.
[Translation.]
Señor Covarrubias to Mr. Kilpatrick.
Santiago,
Chili,
June 15, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of yesterday, in which you rectify the false
assertions and contradict the erroneous impressions caused by the
report of Brigadier Mendez Nunez, in reference to his bombardment of
Valparaiso, to the Spanish minister in the United States.
The President has read with great interest the contents of your
letter, and is pleased to witness the noble efforts you exhibit to
maintain the friendly relations and good understanding now existing
between Chili and the United States.
With reiterated expressions of my most distinguished consideration, I
have the honor to be your obedient servant,
His Excellency the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States of North
America.
