No. 533.
Mr. Christiancy to Mr. Evarts.
Lima, Peru, April 14, 1880. (Received May 5.)
Sir: * * * * * * * *
The Chilians have full command of the sea, and on Saturday last, the 10th instant, a portion of the Chilian fleet, consisting of Blanco Encalada, Huascar, Angamos, Pilcomayo, and Matias Cousino, and two other vessels (whose names are not yet ascertained), with some torpedo launches, appeared at the northern entrance of the port of Callao, just before daylight, and an attempt was made by a torpedo launch to blow up the Peruvian corvette Union, which failed on account of the launches and timber collected around the Union for the purpose of making repairs. On the same day a notice was given by the Chilian admiral to the dean of the consular corps of Callao, of his intention to blockade that port, and giving eight days for the neutral vessels then in port to load, unload, and depart; at the same time intimating his intention to attack the military defenses of that port, and that it might become necessary for him, in attacking such military defenses, to fire upon and endanger the town.
[Page 843]The fair inference from his language was that the same period of eight days would be given for the peaceable inhabitants to remove themselves and their movable property out of the range of the guns. The consular corps subsequently requested of him to extend the period of eight to fifteen days, to which he, on the 13th, by letter addressed to the corps, assented to add to the former notification two days, making the period ten instead of eight days, and at the same time signifying that the same length of time would be given for neutrals and non-combatants to remove from the town before he should open fire upon its defenses, unless, in the mean time, he should be provoked to an earlier attack by being fired upon by the Peruvian forces, or an earlier attack should become necessary by some demonstration made by such Peruvian forces.
Considering that Callao is a fortified town, defended by forts, batteries, and military forces, which, by the laws of war, the Chilian fleet have a right to attack, I deem this notice entirely reasonable.
In the mean time it is understood that the regular line of mail steamers from Panama to Callao and back will be allowed to enter and depart with the mail and passengers, but we have no assurance, as yet, that a similar privilege will be accorded after the ten days expire, the 20th of this month.
It is therefore quite probable that it may be several weeks before I shall again be able to communicate with you.
The inhabitants of Callao are fleeing with their property to Lima, and American citizens both of Callao and Lima are appealing to this legation for protection, and though I am out of health, and have no means of protecting them, except such as the United States flag and the position of a minister of the United States may give, I propose to remain at my post and afford them all such protection as may be in my power; though my own private affairs make it imperative that I should leave for the United States at the first moment I can receive leave for that purpose.
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I have, &c.,