Mr. Hovey to Mr.
Seward
No. 74.]
Legation of the United States, Lima,
Peru,
June 22, 1867.
Sir: The annexed law, with translation, in
relation to the question of peace between Peru and Spain, will be read
by you with interest. Its provisions, if carried into effect, must
inevitably suspend ail action for peace for months, and possibly for
years to come.
[Page 770]
The feeling in Peru is adverse to any adjustment until Spain retires from
the present contest, abandoning all claims, public or private.
The port of Callao, now, with proper defence, could, in my opinion,
resist successfully the combined fleet of Spain; and the people and
government here are anxious that a second attack should be made.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Department of War and the Navy.
Mariano I. Prado, provisional President of the republic, since
congress has decreed the following law:
The annexed law is resolved by the constituent congress :
Article 1. The executive power will
continue the war with the government of Spain until the legislative
power may otherwise resolve.
Art. 2. The executive power cannot
initiate, on its part, negotiations which may tend to suspend or
terminate the state of war. Neither can it sign treaties or the
preliminaries of treaties with Spain without the corresponding
instructions from congress.
Art. 3. The law of the 9th of September,
1864, is hereby annulled, and all other laws of the republic which
may be contrary to this.
Given in the halls of congress, in Lima, the 21st of May, 1867.
JOSÉ JACINTO IBARRA, President.
Ambrosio Becerril, L. Garcia, Secretaries.
The Provisional President of Peru.
Therefore this law must be executed, archived, and published.
Lima, June 13,
1867.
M. I. PRADO.
[Translation.]
Department of War and Marine.
Mariano I. Prado, provisional President of the republic.
The constituent congress has passed the following law:
Article 1. The executive power shall
continue the war against the government of Spain till the
legislative power passes a contrary resolution.
Art. 2. The executive power shall not
initiate, on his part, any negotiations tending to suspend or put an
end to the state of war. Neither shall he sign treaties or
preliminaries of treaties with Spain without proper instructions
from the legislative power.
Art. 3. The law of the 9th September, 1864,
and all other laws of the republic contrary to the present law, are
hereby repealed.
Let this be made known to the executive power for his observance.
Done at Lima on the 21st of May, 1867.
JOSÉ JACINTO IBARRA, President.
Ambrosio Becerril, L. Garcia, Secretaries.
The Provisional President of the
Republic.
Let this law be recorded, promulgated, and obeyed.
Lima, June 13,
1867.
MARIANO I. PRADO.
