[Extract.]
Mr. Perry to Mr.
Seward.
No. 126.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, September 18, 1864.
Sir:The change of ministry you were led to
expect has occurred as anticipated. I enclose a translation of the note
of Señor Llorente received yesterday, announcing the new cabinet.
* * * * * *
[Page 99]
So far as our interests are concerned it would be premature to specify in
what manner they have been affected by this change. The journals say
that Narvaez will immediately abandon Santa Domingo, and withdraw the
Spanish flag from that island. He has energy enough for that step, but
whether he will think proper to take it or not, the journals are
probably ignorant.
* * * * * *
The members of the new cabinet have all been ministers before, and four
of them prime ministers. They are able men, and if they continue united
under the impulse of the rigorous will of Narvaez, may yet give a strong
government to Spain.
Your despatches Nos. 21 and 22 have reached me, and I take special notice
of your interview with Mr. Tassara, in which the neutrality of the
Isthmus of Panama, under certain circumstances, was the subject of
conversation.
I hope soon to have an interview with Marshal Narvaez, which I have no
doubt will be interesting, upon the subject of the questions pending
with Peru.
With the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
Mr. Llorente to Mr. Perry.
Ministerial Department of
State, Palace,
September 16,
1864.
Sir:The Queen, my august sovereign, having
been pleased to accept, by royal decrees of this date, the
resignation presented by the cabinet, of which Don Alexander Mon was
president, has appointed President of the Council of Ministers,
without portfolio, the Marshal Don Ramon Maria Narvaez, Duke of
Valencia; Minister of Grace and Justice, Don Lorenzo Arrazola;
Minister of War, Lieutenant General Don Fernando Fernandez de
Cordova, Marquis of Mendigonia; Minister of the Navy, Admiral Don
Francisco Armero, Marquis of the Nervion; Minister of Finance, Don
Manuel Garcia Barzanallana; Minister of the Interior Government, Don
Louis Gonzales Bravo; Minister of Instruction and Public Works, Don
Antonio Alcalia Galiano; Minister of the Colonies, Don Manuel de
Seijas Lozano; and Minister of State, the undersigned.
Whilst I have the honor to communicate this to you, I take pleasure
also in expressing my desire and my hope that the friendly relations
existing between Spain and the United States may be of that
character of cordiality and good correspondence which distinguishes
them to-day, for which I confide in finding on your part the most
benevolent co-operation, and I propose on my side to omit no means
which may conduce to facilitating in the affairs which I may treat
with you the solutions most in harmony with the good understanding
which reigns between the government of the Queen my Lady and that
which you so worthily represent.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to you the assurances of my
distinguished consideration.
