Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on my arrival in Lima, on the 20th instant, I found the congress recently elected engaged in the preliminary labors of qualifying their members. As a general thing there are two contestants for every seat, yet both classes claim to be the supporters of Colonel Balta, the President elect, the contest simply being for personal advancement and ambition.
The general impression is that peace will prevail, and that Balta will assume his seat undisturbed, although it is difficult to predict with any degree of accuracy the future action of the people of Peru.
I have some difficulty in clearly understanding my duties under your dispatch No. 83, dated May 7, 1868, and will wait further advices as to when I shall recognize the government here.
Balta has been elected by the entire vote of the people, and my opinion is that it would be the best policy to recognize his government after his inauguration.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.