Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the government forces under Colonel Cornejo, the minister of war under Prado, have been completely [Page 845] defeated by Colonel Balta, in attempting to capture the town of Chiclayo, defended by the latter. Although the government troops had almost entirely demolished the town, by means of their artillery, yet in the final assault, through the treachery of one of their battalions, they were forced to fly.
By this victory the whole of the republic is under the unquestioned control of the revolution.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.