Mr. Seward to Mr. Hovey.
Sir: I have your dispatch of the 22d of July, No. 131. It affords me much pleasure to know that the secretary for foreign affairs in Chili [Page 870] expressed himself to you as being entirely willing to accept the first proposition of the United States for an indefinite truce in the war between the allied republics and Spain. I take notice further that the Chilian secretary said to you that he had no objections to adjust the matter by means of a congress of plenipotentiaries; as proposed by the United States, but that as a party measure it might materially injure the present administration in Chili.
Insomuch as this information comes in an indirect as well as informal manner, I am obliged to limit myself in the use of it to a simple mention of the matter thus noticed to the Spanish minister plenipotentiary here for the information of his government.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Alvin P. Hovey, Esq., &c., &c., &c.