Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward
Sir: The steamer just arrived from the north brings the intelligence that, on the 15th instant, the gens d’armes, composing the garrison of the city of Trujillo, rebelled against the constituted authorities and assassinated Colonel Zavala, the prefect of the department. The officers of the revolted battalion, disgusted with the conduct of their men, have presented themselves in Lima ready to obey the orders of the constitutional government.
In this affair, as in all similar ones in Peru, personal ambition appears to have been the principal motive. The insurrection is considered insignificant, and does not in the least shake my confidence in the ultimate success of Colonel Prado.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.