Mr. Kilpatrick to Mr. Seward.
No. 15.]
Legation of the United States,
Santiago, Chili,
July 16, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of June 2d, No. 9, and the one dated May
30th, No. 8. I learn that my refusal to assemble the diplomatic corps
for a united action in reference to the property destroyed in
Valparaiso, by the bombardment, has been approved; but it has been
thought proper to modify the course proposed by me; this modification
will at once be made.
Your communication, in answer to mine of the 7th day of April, has also
been received and forwarded to this government, with an explanatory note
of which I enclose a copy (marked A;) a copy, also, of the reply of
Covarrubias, which I enclose (marked B.)
You will see by this reply that the government of Chili now fully
understands and appreciates the policy of the United States in reference
to our sister republic, and that this understanding has been arrived at
(which I venture to say has been a most difficult task) without injury
to the good feeling heretofore existing between the two countries. In
fact I believe a stronger friendship now exists than ever before, for it
is founded upon truth, justice, and a perfect knowledge of our true
policy abroad.
To convince this government and the people that it was useless to expect
assistance from us; that they had been deceived, but through no fault of
the government; that we could not violate our obligations to other
nations far away, even to assist Chili, and at the same time retain
their friendship and respect, has been my task; and I feel now, and time
will show, that I have succeeded.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
A.
Mr. Kilpatrick to Señor Covarrubias.
Legation of the United
States,
Santiago, Chili,
July 12, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your
excellency that in my despatch of May 2, to my government, I took
occasion to state that there was a feeling in Chili among many that
the United States had more real friendship and sympathy for Spain
and her cause than for Chili, and although this feeling was without
foundation, and more the result of wilful misrepresentation made by
the known enemies of the United States and false friends to Chili, I
desired that such assurances of friendship and good feeling be sent
me from the Department of State as would disabuse the government of
Chili, and through it the people, of the prejudicial impression
referred to. I have to-day received a reply from Mr. Seward, the
Secretary of State, a copy of which I herewith transmit.
This exposition of the foreign policy of the United States fully
explains the course pursued by my government and its representatives
in relation to the respective powers engaged in the Spanish-American
war; and while I indulge in the gratifying belief that the
circumstances which called it forth have now ceased to exist, I
offer it to your excellency as additional evidence of the sympathy
of the United States with Chili, and of her desire to perpetuate the
bond of friendship so long existing between my country and the
republics of South America.
Accept, sir, the renewed assurances of my most distinguished
consideration.
His Excellency Alvaro Covarrubias,
Secretary of State, Republic of
Chili.
[Page 418]
B.
[Translation.]
Señor Covarrubias to Mr. Kilpatrick.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the note which your excellency had the goodness to send
me, dated the 12th of the present month, enclosing a copy of a
recent despatch from his excellency the Secretary of State of the
United States. In this despatch the Hon. Mr. Seward explains the
spirit which guides, and has guided, the policy of his government in
respect to the other American republics, and thus endeavors to
satisfy those wishes which your excellency has manifested in regard
to a cordial understanding between Chili and the United States, of
seeing removed certain misapprehensions prejudicial to this cordial
understanding.
My government has highly appreciated a communication in which are
shown the illustrious and noble efforts of your excellency to
strengthen the friendship which happily exists between the two
countries. In such efforts your excellency may be certain of seeing
yourself always seconded by the government of Chili, whose acts
abound in proofs of its sincere desire to maintain its friendly
relations with the cabinet at Washington.
Giving to your excellency, in the name of my government, the most
hearty thanks for the communication referred to, which I have judged
proper to have published, I hasten to offer the reiterated
expression of the most distinguished consideration with which I am
your obedient servant,
His Excellency J. Kilpatrick,
United States Minister.
