Mr. Bigler to Mr. Seward.

[Extract]

No. 136.]

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith, marked A, a copy of a note by me addressed to his excellency the secretary of foreign relations of Chili, dated July 31, 1861.

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I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN BIGLER.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State of the United States.

A.

Sir: The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the honor to inform your excellency that, in consequence of the President of the so-called “Confederated States of America” having issued a proclamation announcing that he has been empowered and is prepared to issue letters of marque to all who are willing to enter the service of the said States as privateers, he, the undersigned, has been instructed by his government to be vigilant to the extent of his power to prevent vessels from being fitted out in the ports of Chili under the authority of the said “Confederated States.” The government of the undersigned, denying the right of the States composing the so-called “Confederated States of America” to secede, as they have done, from the American Union, and maintaining that the people of the States which have so seceded still owe fealty to the Constitution and laws of the United States, has determined to enforce obedience thereto on the part of the whole people thereof, and has solemnly proclaimed and declared that any person who shall, “under the pretended authority of the Confederated States, or under any other pretence, molest a vessel of the United States, or the persons or cargo on board of her, such person will be held amenable to the laws of the United States for the prevention and punishment of piracy.”

Information has recently been communicated to the undersigned of such a character and from such sources as to induce the belief on his part that there are now, or have very recently been, in Chili parties endeavoring to effect a purchase of munitions of war to be used in fitting out privateers for the service of the so-called “Confederated States of America.”

Although the undersigned cannot vouch for the correctness of this information, [Page 430] he can assure your excellency that he regards the same of sufficient importance, in view of the before-mentioned instructions of his government, to require him to inform your excellency thereof, and to very respectfully suggest to your excellency’s government to adopt such measures as it may deem advisable to secure vigilance on the part of the proper officials to prevent the fitting out of privateers in the ports of Chili with a view of committing assaults upon the lives and property of citizens of his country engaged in lawful commerce.

In conclusion, the undersigned begs to add that he has directed inquiries to be made at the different ports in Chili, and that he will promptly impart to your excellency’s government any important facts relating to the object of this note which may hereafter come to his knowledge.

The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your excellency assurances of his sincere respect and high consideration.

JOHN BIGLER.

His Excel’y the Secretary of Foreign Relations Of the Republic of Chili.