Mr. Prevost to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The British mail steamer from the south arrived here on the 30th of April, bringing the news that the Spanish fleet had entered the port of Callao on the 26th, and the commander had given notice to the “intendente” of the port that he should proceed to bombard the place on the 1st of May.
The government of Ecuador has received no official communication from Señor Mendez Nunez, the Spanish admiral, yet it is believed by every one here that the Spanish fleet is now on the road to this place. For thirteen days the community has been in a constant state of excitement; most of the merchants have removed the most valuable portion of their goods up the river by chartering, at a fabulous rate, every available launch, raft, canoe, and chata. A large number of families have retired themselves from the city. What little goods and necessaries of life remains in the town is sold at an unheard of price.
The government of Ecuador, with what little aid Peru has sent, are erecting a new battery near the city upon the river side. The government have also sunk three vessels in the channel of the river some eight miles below the city, and have also placed a chain across the river, attaching a number of torpedoes [Page 469] with the view of preventing the Spanish squadron from getting up to this city; but those who are expert in engineering seem to think that the obstructions thus placed will not prevent the squadron from passing.
Don Ignacio Veintimille, the minister of war from Quito, arrived here yesterday; the defence of the city is to be under his direction.
The city of Guayaquil is entirely built of wood and timber; should the squadron shell or bombard it, the entire city must fall a prey to fire; misery, distress, and famine must result.
Two months ago I had requested the commander of the United States naval forces on the station to order one of the vessels under his command to this place to protect American property and interests. Again, on the 1st instant, learning that he was at Callao, I addressed him another communication, urging upon him the necessity of detaching one of his vessels with orders for this place. Up to this date no vessel has reached this port; and in case of a bombardment or other trouble, the Americans here, notwithstanding the large squadron on the station, will be without protection.
I have the honor, sir, to remain your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.