No. 250.
Mr. Gibbs
to Mr. Evarts.
Lima, Peru , June 12, 1877. (Received July 9.)
Sir: Since my dispatch No. 159, of 9th instant, an apparent conspiracy to change the government was attempted and has failed. The excitement of the affair of the Huascar and Her Britannic Majesty’s ships Shah and Amethyst had subsided, but a deep feeling remained against the government by charges that there had been connivance with the British admiral to attack the Huascar.
The press of the evening of the 1st instant published the information that the ministers had resigned in a body; Mr. Buendia, minister of war interim, also, as the actual minister, Mr. Bustamente, was in charge of the troops at the south. The resignations were accepted by the President, except Mr. Buendia, as he was acting only, as stated, and was retained. On the 2d, 3d, and 4th great excitement continued, the stores and principal places of business being closed; on the 4th, groups were scattered through the streets, some crying out “Viva Pierola,” others “Pardo,”and many “Prado.”
On the morning of the 5th, the city was startled by the information that the troops in Callao had seized the castle, deposing General Prado and naming in his place General La Puerta, the first vice-president of the republic. At 11 news was published that the movement had been crushed, the conspirators all having surrendered to the forces sent from this city, the President giving a proclamation.
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I am, &c.,