[Extract.]
Mr. Prevost to Mr. Seward.
No. 7.]
United States Legation,
Guayaquil,
March 21, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency
that war was declared by the government of Ecuador, against Spain, on
the 27th of February last. I enclose herein copy of Mr. Bustamente’s
note, with the President’s decree, sent to this legation, marked A. A
translation of the same is also enclosed, marked B. The receipt of Mr.
Bustamente’s note was acknowledged by me without comments whatever.
The declaration of war was publicly promulgated in this city upon the 9th
instant, with great pomp. The entire military troops of the place were
under arms; the flags of the republics of Chili, Peru, and Ecuador were
displayed from the government house, and their respective national airs
were played by the military band in front of said building, in the
presence of the governor of the province and members of the local
government of this city. A large multitude of people had assembled to
witness the ceremony.
* * * * * *
The Spanish fleet has been, as I understand, re-enforced in the Pacific
by three first-class iron-clad frigates, making nine men-of-war in the
waters of the Pacific, while four heavy gunboats have already passed the
point of———, bound also for the same station.
It is evident that Spain, with such a force at hand, will require a port
to recruit the sick, to procure fresh water and provision, to make a
coal depot, as well as to make the repairs actually necessary. No port
on the entire coast of the south Pacific offers the inducements as
Guayaquil upon all the points above recited, especially for fresh water,
fresh provisions, good ship timber, and a tide of fourteen feet in the
river, for the repair of ships. It is to be believed, therefore, that
the Spanish admiral will, as soon as necessity becomes urgent, take
possession of this port.
The Peruvian man-of-war steamer Tumbez arrived in this port on the 8th
instant, bringing for this government one thousand old muskets,
(worthless,) and four forty-pounder old style guns. The Peruvian
government has also sent a body of engineers to fortify the entrance of
the city. There are at present five mounted guns in the most populous
part of the city, fronting the river, which, at low water, could not be
depressed sufficiently to play upon a gunboat in the river. These guns
would only serve to draw the fire of the enemy upon a city built
entirely of wood, which in a few hours could be reduced to ashes by a
good gunboat.
I have deemed it to be my duty to address a communication to the acting
rear-admiral commanding the United States naval forces on the Pacific,
informing him of the declaration of war, copy of which I enclose, marked
“C,” which I trust will be approved.
With expressions of respect and high consideration, I have the honor to
remain your excellency’s most obedient servant,
L. V. PREVOST. Acting Secretary of
Legation.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Mr. Bustamente to Mr. Prevost.
The undersigned, minister of foreign affairs of Ecuador, has the
honor to inform L. V. Prevost, esquire, consul of the United States
of America and secretary in charge of the
[Page 462]
legation, remitting a legalized copy of an
executive decree, by which it is declared that Ecuador is at war
with the government of Spain.
The conduct observed by the cabinet of. Madrid towards the republics
of Peru and Chili has not been friendly or just. The supposed right
of revindication was invoked against Peru in order to occupy by
force of arms the Chincha islands, situate in its territory, denying
the independence and sovereignty of the nation, solemnly recognized
by explicit and reiterated acts of the same Spanish monarchy and
several European and American States with which they have existing
treaties.
The war declared against Chili is not less unjust with respect to the
motives alleged by Spain, which are extremely irregular and unusual
in form.
Diplomatic means could and should be employed in the interest of
peace in continuation of the friendly relations and harmony which
subsisted between the two governments; since the representative of
Spain accredited to Santiago had esteemed the excuses given by the
Chilian government to the demands for injuries which Señor Taveira
thought he saw in several events as sufficient, but which were again
revived, declaring that the Spanish chargé d’affaires had exceeded
his instructions, and that his behavior had met the disapprobation
of his sovereign.
The proceedings of her Catholic Majesty’s government with respect to
Chili and Peru have produced alarm on the continent and engendered
distrust for the future of other republics, who fear, not without
reason, to be hereafter attacked under frivolous pretexts and to see
in jeopardy their nationality, irrevocably acquired at the cost of
immense sacrifices and tor rents of blood in order to shake off
opprobrious title of colonies, and place themselves in the rank of
sovereign and independent nations.
Ecuador, to whom, as well as to Chili, has been disputed the right to
declare what constitutes articles of contraband of war, to prohibit
the exportation of coal from its ports during the contention between
Peru and Spain, in which both States assumed the character of
neutrals, has not been able to proclaim, impassively, its liberty
and independence, on seeing that one of the pretexts invocated
against Chili is that already related. In observance, therefore, of
its own well-being, and it not being given to it to look with
indifference on two brotherly and friendly peoples, bound by sacred
ties, who should preserve and respect each other, has ratified an
alliance offensive and defensive with Peru and Chili, and formed
common cause to resist an invasion clearly without foundation, and
condemned by the public opinion of both worlds, and share the glory
of triumph or the consequences of adversity, saving in every case
its dignity and honor.
With sentiments of high esteem and profound respect the undersigned
subscribes himself, &c., &c.,
L. V. Prevost, Esq., Consul of the United States, &c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
President Carrion to Mr. Bustamente.
Jerome Carrion, president of the republic of Ecuador, &c.,
&c., having signed a com pact of alliance, offensive and
defensive, between this republic and that of Peru and Chili in the
war actually existing against the government of Spain, and made
common cause with the three states, decree:
Article 1. That Ecuador declares against
the government of Spain.
Article 2. The ministers of state in their
respective departments are to take charge of the present decree,
which is to be published with due solemnity, and communicated
immediately to whom it concerns.
Given at the government palace at
Quito
27th February,
1866.
J. CARRION
Manuel Bustamente,
Minister of State in the Department of
Exterior Relations
and in charge of the Department of
Interior.
Mr. Prevost to Admiral Pearson.
Legation of the United
States,
Guayaquil,
March 21, 1866.
Sir: The minister resident of the United
States went home last December, leaving the undersigned in charge of
the legation. I deem it my duty to inform you that the government of
Ecuador, on the 27th of February last, formed an alliance with the
republics of Chili and Peru, declaring war against Spain. On the 9th
instant war was promulgated in this city with great pomp, by the
government and the native people of the place.
[Page 463]
The Peruvian gunboat Tumbez arrived here some few days ago, bringing
for this government one thousand stand of arms and four pieces of
heavy guns, with a body of engineers, sent by the Peruvian
government to fortify one of the bends of the river near the city. I
have reason to apprehend that the Spanish admiral will soon send
vessels here to prevent the fortification from being erected, and to
capture this place. I have, therefore, to request of you the
propriety of sending to this port one of the vessels under your
command, not otherwise engaged, to protect American interests.
I remain, sir, &c., &c.,
L. V. PREVOST, United States Consul, in
charge of the Legation.
Acting Rear-Admiral Pearson,
Commanding United States Naval Forces,
&c., &c., Panama.
