Señores Gana and Medina to Mr. Seward
The undersigned, the chargé d’affaires of Chili, and the chargé d’affaires ad interim of Peru, have the honor to address themselves to his excellency the honorable Secretary of State of the United States, and to inform him that reasons of some weight with them induce them to believe that the iron-clad steamer Dunderberg, now anchored in the harbor of New York, has not been sold to the government of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, as the newspapers of this country have affirmed, but to the government of Spain.
For the protection of the interests, and rights of their respective governments, which, in case the sale above indicated be really as they suspect, would be affected in violation of the neutrality laws of the United States, the undersigned request his excellency the honorable Secretary of State of the United States to be pleased to have the proper steps taken in order that the proprietor or proprietors of the above-mentioned vessel may render to the government of his excellency such legal security as it may deem proper, to guarantee that the Dunderberg has not been sold to the government of Spain, and that it will not be delivered to any agent of that government.
And as the Dunderberg is ready to sail, the undersigned request the honorable Secretary of State that, without loss of time, he would be pleased to adopt the measure which they have taken the liberty of indicating, so that the vessel may not leave the waters of the United States without having given the security which the case demands.
The undersigned avail themselves of this opportunity to offer to his excellency the honorable Secretary of State the assurance of their highest and most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.