No. 57.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Logan
.
Washington , July 30, 1883.
Sir: Your various interesting and Ml dispatches in relation to the negotiations and the progress of events on the west coast of South America have been received and carefully and attentively read and considered. The Department appreciates the energy which you have exerted in endeavoring to discover a method upon which all parties could consistently and honorably agree to bring about a permanent peace, and your suggestion as to the increase of your powers and jurisdiction has not been passed upon lightly or hastily, but has received that careful consideration which the importance of the subject and the strength of the arguments which you have advanced in its support so clearly merit.
The President, however, has deemed it inexpedient in the present state of affairs to accede to your suggestion, but has concluded that the consistent policy of equal and unprejudiced friendship towards three sovereign republican states required the appointment of a minister to each of the posts where the vacancy existed. He has therefore appointed as minister to La Paz, Mr. Richard Gibbs of New York, who, as you well know, was for several years minister at Lima, where he performed creditable service; Capt. S. L. Phelps has been named to the mission in Peru, for which his previous experience as an officer of the Navy on duty for some time on the South Pacific station, and his other experiences in South American countries, eminently fit him.
You are requested to confer frankly and freely with these gentlemen in all matters which concern the efforts now being made to secure a basis of peace. Their instructions refer them primarily to instructions heretofore issued to Mr. Trescot, Mr. Partridge and yourself, as indicating the policy of the United States Government, and they are directed as a first duty to examine into the situation of the present political parties in Peru with a view to advising this Department as to the standing, support, and power of the two contending aspirants for executive control in that country. Not doubting that your relations with these gentlemen will be mutually cordial, agreeable, and frank,
I am, &c.,