No. 5.
Mr. Osborn
to Mr. Evarts.
Buenos Ayres, October 8, 1877. (Received November 30.)
Sir: The proclamation of amnesty, in the annual message of President Avellenada to the Argentine Congress of May last, and noted in my dispatch number 140, to all in exile, and the restoration of the officers of the army to their former ranks, who were implicated in the revolution of 1874, was formally accepted on yesterday (Sunday, October 7) at a public meeting in the Plaza, in front of the government house, by General Mitre and his political friends.
Since the date of the President’s message many conferences have been held, from time to time, between General Mitre and his friends on the one side and the President and General Alsina, who is considered the real leader of the government party. As a result of the common understanding and reconciliation arrived at between the parties, a change in the cabinet of the President has taken place, in which Dr. Irigozere, who, up to the 2d instant, was minister of foreign affairs, has been appointed [Page 9] minister of the interior and chief of the cabinet; Dr. Don Rusino de Elizalde as minister of foreign affairs. Dr. Elizalde was minister of foreign affairs under the administration of President Mitre, and at the breaking out of the revolution of 1874, left the country and went to Montevideo.
Dr. Don Carlos Tejedor, who was minister of foreign affairs under the administration of President Sarmiento, has been nominated governor of the province of Buenos Ayres, on the reconciliation ticket, and will doubtless be elected.
After the meeting in the Plaza, General Mitre, Alsina, and the governor of this province, arm in arm, marched to the government house, where lunch was spread, and to which the President had invited the leaders of both parties, government officials, the diplomatic corps, and many ladies. Speeches were made by the President, General Mitre, Alsina, and others, after the reading by the secretary of the following address:
The committees of the rival parties which have agreed on reconciliation congratulate the people on this great event, which makes Argentinas one great family. Now we may expect peace will bring us order, liberty, and progress; every man will be able to vote according to conscience as a free citizen. Some months ago the United States set us this example, and now we shall all do our best to follow in the glorious footsteps of Moreno, Rivadavia, and Belgrano.
General Mitre and companions accepted their restoration to the army. The reconciliation appears to be complete, and it is hoped that it may be lasting.
I am, &c.,