Mr. Hovey to Mr.
Seward.
No. 156.]
Legation of the United States,
Lima, Peru,
October 28, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copies of a resolution of thanks passed by the Peruvian congress on the
19th instant, together with the note of his excellency the minister of
foreign affairs, and my reply thereto, (inclosures Nos. 1, 2, and
3.)
The sympathy lately expressed by the journals of the United States, in
relation to the sufferings caused by the late terrible earthquakes in
[Page 888]
Peru and Ecuador, has
created the warmest demonstrations of gratitude towards our country.
Every article of the least importance has been translated and published
in the newspapers of Peru, and it is ardently hoped that our congress
may act towards this country as it did for Ireland in days gone by.
Thousands have been reduced from competency to absolute suffering, and
the terrible visitation still continues in several parts of the country.
In Caldera, (Chili,) and Cuzco, severe shocks were felt on the 15th
instant, causing, it is said, considerable damage, but the full details
have not yet been received.
Between earthquakes, yellow fever, and revolutions, Peru, for the last
few years, has been sorely afflicted, and the hourly expectation of like
calamities has thrown a dark shade over the country, and paralyzed its
energies.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Most Excellent Sir: Congress has passed a
vote of thanks to the Chilian and Bolivian nations, to the envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of
America, and the charge d’affaires of France, on account of their
generous conduct towards the people residing in the south of this
republic, who suffered from the effects of the earthquake of the
13th of August last; and has resolved that your excellency inform
the said nations and diplomatic agents of the same.
God preserve your excellency.
ANTONIO ARENAS, Vice-President of the
Senate.
FRANCISCO CHAVEZ, Secretary of the
Senate.
JUAN OVIEDO, President of the Chamber of
Deputies.
P. BERNALES, Deputy Secretary of the
Chamber of Deputies.
His Excellency the President of the
Republic.
Lima,
October 19, 1868.
Let this he fulfilled and published.
Sign manual of his excellency.
BARRENECHEA.
[Translation.]
Señor Barrenechea to Mr. Hovey.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to your
excellency the authentic copy of the vote of thanks passed by the
national congress to the republics of Chili and Bolivia, and the
representatives of the United States and France, for the generous
conduct observed by them towards the people of the south of Peru who
suffered the consequences of the earthquake of 13th of August
last.
The celerity and zeal with which your excellency and the estimable
officers of the American navy hastened to relieve the necessities of
the south, in the most pressing moments, fully justify this solemn
manifestation of gratitude, which causes me such pleasure and honor
in communicating to your excellency.
Reiterating, on my part, in the name of the government, the assurance
of the same feeling, I am your attentive and very obedient
servant,
His Excellency General Alvin P. Hovey,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America.
[Page 889]
Mr. Hovey to Señor Barrenechea.
Legation of the United
States,
Lima, Peru,
October 28, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor and pleasure to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note of the 23d
instant, transmitting the resolution of thanks passed by the
congress of Peru on the 13th October, and for which honor I beg your
excellency to convey my sincere thanks to the proper
authorities.
The nattering manner in which your excellency has thought proper to
allude to the action of myself and the officers of the navy of the
United States gives me great pleasure. I only regret that we could
not have done more at the time for suffering humanity, but ardently
entertain the hope and conviction that my country and countrymen
will further evince the sincere regard which they hold towards
Peru.
I beg to assure your excellency of my most distinguished
consideration.
His Excellency Señor Dr. Don J. A.
Barrenechea,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
