Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1882

No. 69.
Mr. Martinez to Mr. Frelinghuysen .

Legation of Chili in the United States,
Washington , January 18, 1882. (Received January 21.)

Sir: I continue the agreeable task of communicating to you the news brought by the last mail.

The rumor current after the arrival of the last mail, to the effect that the municipal authorities had been discharged from their duties in Lima, has proved correct. The general-in-chief of the Chilian army felt himself obliged to take this measure because the municipality wished to act with absolute independence of the executive authority, which was in every way impossible, and also because the management of the municipal funds was in every way improper. On the other hand, the municipality failed to make the necessary expenses for the police, and security and cleanliness of the city, notwithstanding the fact that they had more than sufficient resources for it.

These circumstances induced the general-in-chief of the army of occupation to name a superintendent of the municipality; and since the mayor (alcalde) refused to recognize the measure, the rear-admiral was forced to issue a decree with the date of 7th of December, declaring that the functions of the municipality had ceased, and that Señor Adolfo Guerrero was nominated as political chief of the department of Lima.

This measure was indispensable, and, for considerations which had no right to exist, had not been taken beforehand because it was impossible to maintain a system whose political and local administration obeyed principles, interests, and regulations completely independent and opposite.

At present there are in Peru four supreme chiefs: General Montero in the north; General Cáceres in the center; Colonel Latorre in Arequipa, Puno, and Cuzco; and another, Colonel Pacheco Cespedes, in Moquegna, none of whom recognizes the other as superior.

A manuscript of a letter said to have been sent by General Hurlbut to the guerrilla chief Cáceres has been very widely circulated in Lima. In Lima the authenticity of this document was not doubted, and Mr. Hurlbut took no steps to deny it. Your excellency will permit me to inclose a copy of this strange document, which has been published in the press of Panama. I received a manuscript copy, with the assurance that it was authentic.

I take pleasure, &c.,

M. MARTINEZ.

[Inclosure in note from Mr. Martinez, of January 18, 1882.—Translation.]

Mr. Hurlbut to General Cáceres

Dear Sir: I did not, for weighty reasons, answer your letter by the same person who brought it to me.

The United States have already recognized the constitutional government, first in the person of Dr. Don Francisco Garcia Calderon, and afterwards in that of the Vice-President, Rear Admiral Montero.

It is, consequently, evident that it is impossible for it to recognize any other government.

The plan of a junta appears to me to be altogether impracticable in fact and inadmissible, in theory. A government under this form would, in my judgment, only lead to disagreement and discord, and instead of assuring unity of action, would involve uncertainties and hesitations.

I am anxious to see the speediest disappearance of all parties, and that all Peruvians may be united for the maintenance of a constitutional régime. This would demand sacrifices on the part of some, but all good causes are strengthened precisely in this way—by sacrifices.

Within ten days or two weeks there will reach this city special commissioners sent out by the United States. It is of the highest importance to say to them that all Peru is at last united in the sole aim of saving the country.

I see no other way by which you can add additional luster to your high reputation, nor by which you can render such good service to the cause of the independence of Peru.

I am, &c.,

S. A. HURLBUT.

Lima , December 11, 1881.