Mr. Provost to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Since my despatch No. 12, addressed to your excellency, the government of Ecuador has been constantly occupying a large body of men erecting a new fortification below the city. The several vessels sunk at Sono, some eight miles below, will not, it is believed, prevent the Spanish squadron from entering the port. The reported victory of the Peruvians at Callao, of the Spanish squadron, seems to have revived the energy of this government and filled the inhabitants with courage.
The government has served a notice to all foreign consuls in this place that it had caused the river to be obstructed and a line of torpedoes placed at Sono; that vessels bringing freights to Guayaquil must discharge their cargoes on the island of Puna, some forty miles from the city.
All the business houses continue to be closed; provisions of all kinds are becoming very scarce; should such a state of things continue, the suffering will become very great.
I have the honor, sir, to remain, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.