Mr. Hovey to Mr.
Seward
No. 71.]
Legation of the United States,
Lima, Peru,
June 14, 1867.
Sir : Castilla died on the 30th ultimo from
disease, at the head of a rebellion against the government, which has
been entirely suppressed. It is now scarcely possible that another
revolution will have the least chance of success.
The magician has departed, and there is no one left with sufficient
prestige to raise even the ghost of discontent.
This is, indeed, a strange country, where the extremes of liberty are so
intermingled and interwoven with despotism, that a spectator would
rarely be able to draw the line where the one commences and the other
ends.
They have, within the last two months, rejoiced for a curse and mourned
for a blessing. The adoption of the section establishing religious
intolerance was hailed with bonfires; and now, the death of a traitor,
marching with his forces to destroy the remnant of organized government,
thrills the heart of the nation with pain.
The extracts from the Commercio and the Nacional, (marked No. 1 and No. 2
respectively,) the two leading papers in Lima, must strike you as
remarkable productions under the circumstances.
That Castilla was a great man with this people, cannot be doubted, but
his death alone has poured oil upon the troubled waters. With his
virtues and his crimes he has gone, and thousands now mourn for him who,
had he lived but a few weeks longer, would have left many of their
houses filled with sorrow and desolation.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
No. 1.
[Translation from the newspaper
Comercio, of June
6, 1867.]
THE DEATH OF GENERAL CASTILLA.
This news has caused a profound sensation in Lima.
In a small hamlet, near Arica, the most prominent man in the modern
history of Peru expired.
To the name of Grand Marshal Castilla is linked the memory of all the
events which have glorified the country since the day of
Ayaeucho.
On the 9th of December, 1824, Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Castilla
entered the camp of Ayaeucho, and in the beginning of 1867 Grand
Marshal Castilla died, while for the third time engaged in an
enterprise whose precursors had met with success through his
efforts.
In the time intervening between these two periods the figure of
Castilla is always prominent in the vicissitudes, the revolutions,
the progress, and the glory of Peru.
By his own weight he has many times caused the banner which he
followed to be victorious.
An indefatigable soldier, his success was sometimes the more
marvellous from the scanty resources at his disposal.
Civil wars form the most mournful portion of Peruvian history.
In the midst of anarchy appeared the strong mind of Salaveney, and by
him the people were called to do battle for their constitution
against the encroachments of the then President, General Santa Cruz.
Salaveney was successful, but influenced by weak and evil advisers,
his government was found not to be worthy of the people’s
confidence.
Castilla understood the situation; he examined the mode of action
alone, carrying on his back his saddle and bridle, reached the
south, placed himself at the head of a powerful party, was
victorious, and proclaimed constitutional President.
His administration covered Peru with glory; peace, political quiet,
liberty of the press, abolition of the Indian tribute, establishment
of the national credit, and the prosperity of
[Page 769]
the country, were the fruits of an
administration which, when its term expired, presented the novel
spectacle of resigning its power without being compeled to do so by
the bayonet.
In 1854 the will of the people called for a revolution; Castilla was
the chosen and victorious chief. A second time did he resign his
power peacefully to his successor.
The Spanish question arose; Castilla was torn from his family by hate
and force, and was destined to exile from his home; advanced in
years, infirm and feeble, the cruel treatment shown him hastened the
event we now deplore.
Castilla is dead!
Let party passions be silent before the open grave. Forget private
quarrels, and assume the honor reflected on Peruvians by the dead
hero, a glory which belongs to his country.
He had his faults; during his long public life he committed errors,
but on the tomb that covers his loved remains always will be
read—
Liberty of the Press! Redemption of the Indians ! Liberty of the
Slave!
No. 2.
[Translation from the newspaper
Nacional of June 6,
1867.]
THE DEATH OF GRAND MARSHAL CASTILLA.
The steamer Tumbez has brought to us the sad intelligence of the
death of Grand Marshal Castilla.
This event happened in Tibiliche, on the 30th of May.
When political fury is calmed and the great questions of the moment
are forgotten, then this public loss will be felt fully, because
with this loss has disappeared that man who symbolized the greatest
glories of the country, who was the most characteristic
representative of democracy, the most sincere republican, the most
valiant soldier. For him this fleeting moment of pain, called life,
has terminated, but now commences the glory of his memory, which
when time has passed slowly by will still be gilding the brightest
page of Peru’s history.
From Ayacucho to Tarapacahe always worked in obedience to his
conscience, and he has left those indellible memories only left by
men, who, like him, arise to show a people their true destiny and to
leave them a great patrimony of fame.
The national gratitude, if it is not entirely given up to the
conquerors, will render to that memory an immense tribute of
admiration, that which civilized people should render to their
illustrious men, who, like Castilla, devote their lives to only one
idea, liberty, and one only sentiment, national honor.
What Peruvian has ever passed from the seats of power leaving such
conquests as he? The manumission of slaves, suppression of the
Indian tribute, liberty of the press! These are the glories that
will shine around his memory.
A hundred battle fields and a hundred triumphs are his military
records.
This privileged man, great as a statesman, great as a warrior, has
died solitary and alone.
Full of grief for the fate of his country, and suffering cruel
iujustice, he died as he lived, battling for his constant
principles.
A soldier of the law, he has given his soul to the God of mercy.
Humiliated, pursued, proscribed, he felt all of the saddest
deceptions; but always proud, it was permitted to him to raise the
cry of battle once more, and gain enough of his beloved country for
his grave.
There is something mysterious, yet providential, in this brilliant
end. He who suffered more from injustice than from age, returned to
his country to be exiled for the second time.
He returns to his native land through the ranks of his foes, he meets
his friends, the old war spirit bursts forth afresh, and—he
dies!
His public life commenced at the foot of the banner
of liberty, and there it closed.
We give to his memory our tribute of profound grief and sincere
admiration.
