Mr. Robinson to Mr. Seward.
Sir: On Saturday evening, the 16th of December, I received from Mr. Pacheco, the minister of foreign relations, the note, a copy of which in translation is adjoined, in reply to my note of the 20th of November, requesting the appointment of a time to present my letter of recall. The note of Mr. Pacheco was accompanied with a verbal message, requesting me to fill the blank designating a day to suit my convenience.
My despatch requesting the appointment of a day to present my letter of recall was addressed to the government of General Canseco, the second vice-president of the republic, who, by the abdication of General Pezet and his withdrawal from the country, was the person upon whom, by the constitution and laws, the executive power devolved. He was, in law and fact, the actual president of the country as fully and legally as General Pezet, who succeeded to the presidential chair through the death of General San Roman.
Some three or four days after the date of my note of the 20th of November, I received a verbal message from the Foreign Office, informing me as well as my successor, General Hovey, that as soon as the palace or government house (which had been sacked by the mob on the morning of the 6th of November) could be placed in a proper state of repair for the ceremonies, a day would be appointed for the presentation of my letter of recall, and for the reception of my successor.
Before this time arrived, however, on the 26th, 27th and 2Sth of November, another and thoroughly radical change was made in the government by the withdrawal of General Canseco, under protest, from the chief command, and the assumption of a dictatorship by Colonel Prado, under the title of “Supreme Provisional Chief of the Republic,” an office unknown to the constitution and laws, and to whom my letter of recall was not addressed.
On Monday, the 18th, I sought an interview with Mr. Pacheco, the minister of foreign relations, stated to him my difficulty in the matter, and suggested that I would have a private interview with Colonel Prado on the following day and explain to him my position.
The interview was had; I stated to him very frankly the embarrassments in which I was placed, at the same time assuring him that the government of the United States entertained the warmest sympathy for the republic, and earnestly wished its advancement and prosperity. He assured me that the change in the government was made to effect reforms which could not otherwise be accomplished, and which when effected would speed the progress of the country and relieve it from the heavy and oppressive expenses which have been the great obstacle to the development of its resources. He also expressed his earnest desires for the prosperity of the United States, and their speedy recovery from the injuries occasioned by the rebellion.
The interview was brief, but his remarks expressed an earnestness in accomplishing the reforms he contemplated.
I shall leave for my home in the steamer which sails for Panama on Thursday, the 21st instant.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.