Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, on the 19th instant, Colonel Prado made an assault on the rebellious city of Arequipa. This movement, after some very severe fighting, resulted in the success of the government troops, as they forced the rebels to retire from their outworks to the center of the city, and, at last advices, Colonel Prado was preparing, from his improved position, to make the final and decisive attack. The losses, as stated in the official reports, are comparatively insignificant, but there is some reason to believe that the real number of casualties has not been made public. In Lima, the partisans of the revolution are very downcast with this intelligence, and those who have always had faith in Prado are more confident than ever of his success.
The rebellion in the north of the republic has, in every encounter with the troops of the government, lost ground, and if Colonel Prado takes Arequipa speedily, as there is every reason to believe, the rebellious faction in the north will instantly disappear.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.