Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to report that since my last despatch another bloodless revolution has taken place in Peru.
General Pedro Diez Canseco was, on my arrival, regarded by every one here as the lawful president of Peru. First, as was said, because Pezet had assumed command of the army in the field, and thus under the organic law constitutionally deposed himself; and, secondly, because he had abdicated, leaving neither friends, adherents, nor an army supporting his cause.
The people, under a feverish excitement, induced by the recent contest with Pezet, and the threatening attitude of Spain, seem willing to rush to the greatest political extremes.
On the 26th instant about sixty officers of the army met and resolved to appoint a dictator. It is said that they tendered the position to the president, who, with his entire cabinet, rejected it. A large meeting, numbering about two thousand persons afterwards took place in the plaza, which resulted in proclaiming Colonel Mariano Ignacio Prado dictator of Peru. He will announce his cabinet to-day. It is believed by many that Canseco will make no opposition.
Rumor says many things, but, having lost her character in our revolution, I shall not respect her language until I have some assurance of its truth.
I have not yet been presented and shall not be until I receive further instructions from the department.
In my special instructions No. 1 I am directed to “only recognize the constitutional government,” &c., and am further informed and directed that “the United States are slow to recognize revolutionary governments, and, should you find the revolutionary party in power at the capital of Peru, on your arrival there, you will report the facts to this department and await its further instructions before taking any steps towards its recognition by this government.”
Under the above instructions I now await the further orders of the department.
I shall have no difficulty in offering to the authorities a proper and plausible excuse, as my letter of credence is directed to the President and not to the dictator of Peru.
On my arrival in Lima I was struck with the fact that the whole diplomatic body here, (including my predecessor,) had made haste in recognizing the new government under Canseco, and I now perceive the signs of a like hasty action in recognizing the dictator. What the motives may be for this speedy concurrence I do not now pretend to understand, but trust I shall be enabled to unravel it in the future.
I regard Canseco as a weak, good, patriotic man, without much ability to govern. Prado, on the contrary, has great energy, considerable ability, and some military [Page 622] pretensions. The creation of the dictatorship and his assumption of its powers shows that he at least possesses great nerve and ambition.
The cabinet it is said will be Pacheco, foreign affairs; Tejeda, interior; Galvez, war and navy; Quimper, justice; Lavelle or Althouse, finance.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.