Mr. Seward to Señor Asta Buruaga.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 5th instant, in which reference to the note addressed to you by this department under date the 19th of April last, with a view to the restoration of peace between Chili and Spain, you remark that as the bases which this government proposes to suggest for a negotiation on that subject have not been made known to the government of Chili, that government could not, in concert with its allies, determine upon a proper answer to the proposition contained in the note above referred to.
In reply, I am directed to inform you that, as the circular note from this department was addressed to all the belligerents, containing the tender of the good offices of the President of the United States for the purpose of bringing about a peace between them, and as they all have not accepted that tender in so full a manner as to justify a hope that, at the present time, those good offices could be made effectual for the restoration of peace, the President thinks it his duty to retire from the proceeding. He will, nevertheless, continue to cherish an earnest desire for the restoration of that peace and cordial relations between the belligerents which could not be but conducive to the prosperity of all and to the cause of civilization throughout the world.
I avail myself of this occasion, sir, to renew to you the assurances of my distinguished consideration.
Señor F. S. Asta Buruaga, &c., &c., &c.