Mr. Coggeshall to Mr. Seward.
No. 3.]
United States Legation,
Quito,
September 24, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that as
minister resident of the United States, I was received by the President
of Ecuador on the 20th instant. I enclose herewith a copy of my address
on the occasion, and of the reply of the President; also a copy of the
official paper of Ecuador, in which the addresses on the occasion above
referred to are published.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
A.
His Excellency President of Ecuador.
Sir: I have the honor to present to your
Excellency a letter of the President of the United States, by which
I am accredited as minister resident in the republic of Ecuador. I
am confident, sir, you do not require reassurance on my part of the
friendly disposition of the government and people of the United
States toward the government and people of the republic of Ecuador,
in all political, commercial, and social relations; but I may remind
your Excellency that a prominent result of the late triumphant
struggle in the United States for union and freedom is witnessed by
enhanced ardency of patriotism and elevated regard for republican
government. In the very degree of that regard, manifested by untold
sacrifices,
[Page 479]
embodying
potent lessons, is every representative of the republic of North
America authorized to assume, on behalf of his nation, political
sympathy and material interest for the republics of South America.
In accordance with the instruction of my government, and in
pursuance of personal wish and determination, I assure your
Excellency that it shall be my highest ambition and my greatest
pleasure so to represent in Ecuador the government and people of the
United States as not only to strengthen the friendly political
intercourse now existing, but to facilitate such interchange of
industrial and commercial information as may be calculated to
promote the practical interests of both republics, and augment the
ties of good will maintained between them.
B.
[Translation.]
Mr. Minister:
Sir: By the official communication of his
Excellency the President of the United States, that your excellency
has just delivered to me, I am informed with pleasure of the high
confidence which has been placed in you by your appointment as
minister resident in this republic. The unhappy civil war which has
agitated the Union, although it has harmed its interests and exacted
sacrifices of every kind for its termination, has given additional
evidence of the insuperable adhesion to liberty of the government
and the people—an adhesion which is shown wherever their voice is
heard, or that of their representatives.
In my administration, and in the country whose destinies I rule, your
excellency will find sympathy and regard for the government and the
people of the United States, and I have the resolution to conserve
and cultivate the relations of friendship and harmony which unite
both republics, identified in political principles, endeavoring to
make them closer for mutual benefit. The fit election of your
excellency, and your kind feelings expressed towards Ecuador, will
contribute, I hope, to the success of your mission, as you will find
in me the necessary co-operation for the realization of your
elevated purposes in protection of the commerce of both
countries.
