Mr. Seward to Mr. Barreda and Mr. Buruaga.
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to address this note to his excellency the minister plenipotentiary of Peru and his excellency the chargé d’affaires of Chili, concerning and explanatory of the engagement which is made on behalf of the United States, in a previous note of this date, bearing upon the subject of a default of the government of Ecuador.
While the United States will consent to receive the arrear payment in question from the republic of Ecuador through the good offices of Peru and Chili, according to said engagement, yet it must be understood that in no case will the United States be willing to receive these moneys or any part of them at the hands of the friendly states of Peru and Chili or either of them. This government cannot, indeed, omit its proper duty of prosecuting just claims of its citizens against the republic of Ecuador in a reasonable and customary manner. At the same time the United States by no means indulge in a disposition to make unbecoming exactions upon the friendly republics which are allies of Ecuador, nor could they consent to accept unrequited pecuniary favor from any nation.
The undersigned avails himself of the occasion to offer to Mr. Barreda and Mr. Asta Buruaga renewed assurances of his high consideration.
Señor F. L. Barreda, &c., &c., &c., and
Señor F. S. Asta Buruaga, &c., &c., &c.