Office of the Historian
[Translation.]

Mr. Pacheco to Mr. Seward.

Department of Foreign Relations of Peru, Lima, December 5, 1865.

The undersigned, secretary of state for foreign affairs of Peru, has the honor to address himself to his excellency the secretary of same rank in the United [Page 657] States of America, for the purpose of requesting him to please to place in the hands of his Excellency the President of that country the autograph letter addressed to him by his excellency Colonel Don Mariano Ignacio Prado, informing him of his elevation to the rule of Peru, with the title of provisional supreme chief of the republic. This event has taken place in the midst of circumstances most flattering for the future of the nation and for the supreme chief. The people and the army, convinced that the constitution was incompatible with the establishment of the reforms called for by the revolution, were anxious for the establishment of an extraordinary power, endowed with the faculties which the situation should make necessary. This full authority was offered first to the vice-president, General Canseco, and, in consequence of his refusal, to his excellency Colonel Don Mariano Ignacio Prado, who has assumed the plenitude of public authority, with the title of provisional supreme chief.

In communicating this event to you the undersigned has also the honor to send you an authentic copy of the letter mentioned, and is gratified to assure you that the same friendly sentiments which are expressed in it inspire the undersigned in regard to his excellency the secretary for foreign relations of the United States of America, and that he will address all his efforts to maintain and strengthen the good relations which bind the two countries together.

The undersigned avails of the occasion to offer the honorable secretary the assurance of the high consideration with which he has the honor to be his obedient servant,

T. PACHECO.

His Excellency the Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the United States of America.

[Translation.]

President Prado to President Johnson.

Sir: Called by the unanimous will of the people of Peru, and of its army and navy, to exercise the supreme power of the republic, I have the honor to place in the knowledge of your Excellency that on the 28th of last month I entered into possession of the chief magistracy.

On announcing this event to your Excellency, I am gratified to assure you that all my endeavors and efforts will have for object to cultivate, maintain, and strengthen more and more the good and friendly relations which happily exist between Peru and the United States of America.

I beg your Excellency to deign accept the assurances of my inviolable friendship and the sincere wishes I offer for the personal happiness of your Excellency, and of the people whose destinies you administer.

Given, signed with my hand and countersigned by the secretary of state for foreign affairs, at the government house in Lima, on the fifth day of the month of December, in the year 1865.

MARIANO Y PRADO, Provisional Supreme Chief of the Republic of Peru.

T. Pacheco, Secretary for Foreign Relations.

His Excellency the President of the United States of America.

A copy:

I. A. BARRENUHM, Sub-Secretary.