Mr. Seward to Señor Asta Buruaga.
Sir: The government of her Catholic Majesty has been pleased to again signify to the President of the United States that the United States may assume that Spain, in the present war in which she is engaged with Peru and other South American states, has never aspired to conquest, to acquisition of territory, or of exclusive influence of any kind in those republics.
Her Majesty’s government has also thought fit to express its hope that the United States would use their good offices with the several belligerents for the purpose of promoting the restoration of peace.
The Spanish government has also expressed to the United States its good disposition to receive any suggestions with a view to that important end which the President might see fit to make.
The President does not feel at liberty to advance in a business of so much delicacy, and affecting so many parties, for all of whom the United States cherish the most sincere friendship, without being first assured that the other belligerents entertain in regard to the subject the same disposition which has thus [been expressed by the government of Spain.
I beg leave, therefore, to ask:
1st. Whether on behalf of Chili you are authorized and prepared to say what would be the disposition of your government with regard to the matter ?
2d. Whether you are authorized and ready to speak on this subject on behalf of the allies—Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador?
In making this communication I think proper to guard against all misapprehension by saying that, in the opinion of the President, neither the Constitution nor the habits of the American people are thought to render it judicious on the part of this government to propose, or even to accept an office of arbitration between belligerent states; nor will it be compatible with the policy of the United States to indicate to such parties definitive terms and conditions of reconciliation. But, on the other hand, the President is of opinion that he might properly, on the part of the United States, as a mutual friend of the belligerent states, suggest to them some form or manner of negotiation between themselves, in the hope that, having bugun such negotiations, the parties might, by their own action, carry them on to a favorable and happy conclusion.
Whatever measures may be adopted, it is deemed important that each of the contending parties may have at all times full and exact information of what the United States say, concerning the same affair, to the other parties.
In accordance with this principle, I have had the honor to submit this note to Mr. Tassara, the minister plenipotentiary of Spain residing near this government; and I shall also cause its contents to be made known to the governments of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to you, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration.
Señor F. S. Asta Buruaga, &c., &c., &c.