Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I deem it important to inform you that on the 8th instant I had a conversation with President Prado, in which he remarked that “Bolivia and Chili” he thought, “would be willing to leave the question of war between the South American republics and Spain to the arbitrament of France and England, but that he did not feel disposed to place the claims of Peru in the hands of either, but would willingly intrust her rights to the United States.”
Yesterday the President requested me to visit him at the palace; the subject was renewed. He said “that the representatives of France and England in Lima had addressed to him a joint note, and had categorically requested him to answer whether Peru would accept the mediation offered by France and England.” He said to me, frankly, “that he did not desire the interference in, or arbitrament of the present difficulty by a European power; that if driven to that necessity, he and his countrymen would greatly prefer the kind offices of the United States, which had been tendered to him in your despatch No. 10, enclosing your letter to Señor F. A. Asta Buruaga, dated April 19th, 1866, and my note to his excellency Señor T. Pacheco, minister of foreign affairs, bearing date of May 24th, 1866, and a copy of which was forwarded to and approved of by you. The President then had the kindness to read to me the rough draught of his reply to the joint note of the English and French representatives. He substantially says, “that an alliance, offensive and defensive, exists between the republics of Chili, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, and that he cannot act without their joint concurrence; that he is indefinitely informed that Chili accepts the mediation, but is ignorant of the terms or conditions accepted; that the good offices of the United States [Page 653] were offered to Peru as early as the 24th of July last, and intimates that courtesy at least would dictate that our kind offices should not be rejected and others of a later date be accepted.”
I sincerely doubt whether the President could stem the popular current that would oppose the mediation of England or of France. The United States might meet with popular favor.
My impression is, that peace will not take place between Spain and the South American republics until all existing claims are abandoned by the former. Peru is in a much better condition than formerly, and is actively engaged in making further preparations for defence, if not for an aggressive movement.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.