Office of the Historian

Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Santiago, April 6, 1891. (Received June 3.)
No. 151.]

Sir: To-day I had the honor to inform you by telegraph of the decree published by the Chilean Government closing to commerce the ports of Chañaral, Taltal, Antofagasta, Tocopilla, Iquique, Caleta-Buena, Junin, and Pisagua. I now beg to inclose copy of said decree in Spanish, with translation of same.

I have, etc.,

Patrick Egan.
[Inclosure in No. 151.—Translation.]

Decree of Government of Chile declaring certain ports closed to commerce.

Ministry of Hacienda,
Santaigo, April 1, 1891.
No. 923.]

Whereas by article 7 of the law of the 24th of December, 1872, the President of the Republic has the power to order the closing, temporarily, to commerce of one or more ports or harbors when extraordinary circumstances so require;

Whereas by article 83 of the said law all ships which anchor, embark, or disembark any merchandise in any port of the Republic where it is not possible to supervise same, except in case of force majeure properly justified, is liable to confiscation, together with her fittings and apparatus;

Whereas in like manner, conformably with number 9 of article 84, all merchandise subject to import or export duties which may have been placed on board any ship, whether by her own embarkation or otherwise, which has not complied with the solemn notice in this ordinance, is liable to confiscation;

Whereas a part of the revolted squadron, in arms against the constitution and laws of the Republic, is appropriating to itself in the nitrate region the treasury and income of the nation with grave detriment to the interest of the State:

It is resolved and decreed—

  • First. That the ports of Chañaral, Taltal, Antofagasta, Tocopilla, Iquique, Caleta-Buena, Junin, Pisagua, and all the intermediate bays remain closed to commerce while said ports and bays are in the power of the revolutionists.
  • Second. That the penalties imposed by the ordinance of customs upon those who trade in said ports do not exonerate the manufacturers and exporters of nitrate and iodine from the responsibility imposed by the decree of the 30th of January, 1891.

Let it be recorded and made known.

  • Balmaceda.
  • J. M. Valdes Cabrera.