No. 39.]
United States Legation,
Quito,
June 18, 1867.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Señor Bustamente to Mr. Coggeshall
When I answered the note that your excellency was pleased to direct
to me on the 16th of January last, putting in knowledge of my
government the mediation offered to the allied republics and Spain
by the United States of the North, in the present war, I promised to
communicate to your excellency the resolution that was adopted after
knowing the opinion of Chili, Peru and Bolivia. I comply to-day with
that debt, expressing the indispensable necessity that the adoption
of the propositions enunciated by the cabinet of Washington about
the reunion of plenipotentiaries of the belligerent states in the
capital of the American Union, and arbitrate upon the questions that
they do not arrange amicably, precede other agreements
(conveniencias) of vital importance to the offended nations and that
can be considered as preliminaries. Such are the just compensation
of the offences occasioned by the government of Spain invading the
ports of Valparaiso and Callao without filling the prescriptions of
the right of war and the consequent indemnification of the damages
occasioned by the aggressive squadron. These particulars are too
obvious in favor of the allies to submit them to discussion or
arbitration giving them a questionable character; and if the enemy
refuses to recognize its justice, useless would be the measure
proposed by the government of your excellency, because it is seen
that they would do as much in the conference of the
plenipotentiaries, frustrating the good offices of the mediator. The
illustrious and upright government of the United States will
appreciate, as is to be hoped, the weight of these reasonings, which
conduce certainly to secure the termination of the temper which has
been meditated with anxiety of the re-establishment of the peace
between the united republics and Spain. I reiterate, at this time,
the expression of gratitude of the government of Ecuador to that of
your excellency, for its anxiousness to see terminated the war, and
because it restores the concord between people that must always live
in harmony for mutual convenience.
Accept my respectful consideration and esteem, believing me your
obedient servant,
