No. 12.
Mr. Osborn
to Mr. Evarts.
Buenos Ayres, May 26, 1877. (Received July 30.)
Sir: The festivals known here as the May festivals, beginning on the 23d instant and closing last night, the 25th, in honor of the independence of the Argentine Republic, passed off with much splendor and enthusiasm.
The Te Deum at the cathedral on the 25th was attended by the President, his cabinet, and the foreign representatives.
During the ceremonies at the cathedral, all the troops in the city were drawn up on parade, and after the church ceremonials were concluded they were reviewed by the President.
In the afternoon, at the Colon Theater, there was held, a literary conference, where orations by General Mitre and others, and a poem by Señor Olegario Andrada, were read. The subject of the “literary conference” was to raise money for the “San Martin fund.”
Some few weeks ago President Avellaneda addressed a public letter to the different provinces and societies of the republic, asking each and all to contribute money for the purpose of bringing the remains of General San Martin from Europe to this country.
General San Martin was born in Entre Rios, now a province of this republic, and was one of the revolutionary heroes of South America. He was in command of the army on the west coast when the independence of the Argentine, Chilian, and other republics of South America was acknowledged by Spain, and when peace and independence were obtained he resigned his command, and, saying td his countrymen, “I know nothing about governments or making laws; my work is done,” sailed for Europe, where he died some thirty years after.
I understand that quite sufficient money has already been contributed, and the government will send a war-vessel to bring back his remains, although the Chilian Government has offered the iron-clad Al mi rante, now in Europe, for that purpose.
I am, &c.,