No. 68.
Mr. Adams
to Mr. Evarts.
Lima, Peru, June 22, 1880. (Received July 29.)
Sir: Since my last dispatch of the 14th instant, in which I had the honor to advise you of the existing uncertainty as to political affairs in Bolivia, advices have reached this city from La Paz to the effect that on the 1st instant General Narciso Campero was elected constitutional President by the Congress, which had met on the 25th ultimo, after his report of the defeat at Tacna had been received, and after it had become known that the remains of his army were scattered and dissolved and that he himself was returning to La Paz with but a few followers.
Taking into consideration the reverses sustained by President Campero in the field, this action of Congress foreshadows a strong government for Bolivia, one that is well supported and therefore likely to endure.
I have the honor also to report that the proceedings of the Bolivian Congress, in its different acts and decrees passed, seem to indicate a further prosecution of the war with Chili, as new levies of men are projected; war material is to be gathered; the revenues of the republic pledged for war purposes, and any correspondence looking towards peace is to be considered treason and to be punished with death.
At the same time that the above news reaches us from La Paz, and without previous intimation whatever, a message of the Dictator of Peru addressed to the council of state is published, submitting a protocol entered [Page 81] into by the representatives of both Peru and Bolivia on the 11th instant, looking towards the unification of the two republics into one, with a full constitution for the new republic, subject, however, to a plébiscite; all of which Mr. Piérola highly indorses, and advises its ratification.
Minister Christiancy will forward copies of the documents relating thereto, and will no doubt also report upon its merits and the probability of its adoption as far as Peru is concerned. Inasmuch as Bolivian advices are entirely silent upon the subject, it is impossible to say whether the people of that country, or even its present government, will agree to this confederation, and I cannot intelligently report thereon until I shall have reached La Paz and examined into the matter thoroughly.
I am notified that the steamer Alaska has finished coaling and will leave for Mollendo to-morrow, so I shall be enabled to reach La Paz by the 1st proximo, where I expect President Campero to be at the same time, and so be able to deliver my credentials to him in person, instead of to the president of the council of ministers, the secretary general of state, or lately the first vice-president, under which different titles different persons have been in power in Bolivia since the flight of President Daza, and the absence from the seat of government of the Provisional President General Campero.
I have, &c.,