No. 48.
Mr. Reynolds to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
La Paz,
Bolivia, February 19, 1875.
(Received April 3.)
No. 45.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch in relation to the
attempted revolution under the leadership of General Quevedo and C. Corral,
(No. 42,) I failed to inform the Department of the fact that at the last
hour, viz, the night of the 18th of January, Messrs. Quevedo and Corral
addressed a note to me, authorizing me to mediate with the constitutional
government of Bolivia, under President Thomas Frias, so as to stop the
effusion of fraternal blood.
I transmit herewith a copy of the note signed by General Quevedo and Casimiro
Corral, with translation of the same, and my note of reply. It will be
noticed that while Dr. C. Corral in former correspondence could not
recognize me as “minister-resident from the United States because I had not
been publicly received,” &c., yet in the note signed by both Corral and
Quevedo they address me as “minister-resident,” &c. Upon receiving my
reply, they both fled the city without further note.
Asking for the approval of my action, I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
45.—Translation.]
The directory of the
revolution to Mr. Reynolds.
The directory of the revolution authorizes the honorable Mr. Robert M.
Reynold, minister of the United States of North America, to make a
compact of arrangement with the president, Mr. Frias, that may save the
shedding of fraternal blood, with a view to the dignity of both, and
this gives full power to him, so that he may interfere and make a
pacific and honorable mediation; giving the said minister full power or
right to say and be believed in the name of the undersigned.
- QUENTIN QUEVEDO.
- CASIMIRO CORRAL.
La
Paz, January 18,
1875.
[Page 82]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 45.]
Mr. Reynolds to the
directory.
Legation of the United States,
La Paz, Bolivia, January 18, 1875.
Gentlemen: I thank yon most heartily for the
confidence expressed in your memorandum just received, yet I feel that
the responsibility you wish me to assume is more than I can do, without
further expression of what you may desire.
In order to secure an arrangement by which further effusion of blood will
be arrested, it may become absolutely necessary that a full and an
unconditional surrender of all the troops under your command be tendered
to the general in command of the government forces. This I cannot assume
to offer without your authority and consent in writing.
You will please communicate with me at once and fully state your wishes
in the premises, and make any proposition or propositions which you may
desire to offer to the government of Bolivia.
Anything I may do must be done in an unofficial capacity, as I am not
authorized by my Government to offer any mediation or intervention
whatever; yet I shall promptly act as you request, if the proposition or
propositions are such as shall promise to secure
peace to the country and an honorable adjustment of the present unhappy
conflict.
Assuring you that I shall rejoice if in any way I may be able to serve
this republic, I am, sirs, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
To Dr. Casimiro Corral,
General Quentin Quevedo.
