Mr. Seward to Mr. Goñi.
Department of State,
Washington,
November 30, 1868.
Sir: Your note of the 24th instant has been
received with high satisfaction.
I give you herewith, and with the assent of Señor Garcia y Garcia,
minister of Peru, extracts from two notes which have been received
from that distinguished gentleman, relating to the proposed
departure of the Oneota and Catawba for a Peruvian port. It gives me
pleasure to add that this government reposes entire confidence in
the fulfillment of the assurances on that subject which appear in
those notes.
I avail myself of the occasion, sir, to offer to you assurances of my
very high consideration.
Señor Don Eacundo Goñi,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 39]
[Translation.—Extract.]
Mr. Garcia to Mr. Seward.
Clarendon Hotel,
New York,
May 8,
1868.
Sir: * * * * * * * * * * *
If, in order to your acceding to the intimation I have hinted at,
it were necessary to promise positively that the vessels which
go from the United States shall proceed on the route to Peru
without attacking or provoking attacks from other nations,
without any exception, nor to cause injury nor to offer threats
to their possessions, I hold in pledge to the United States the
honor of the Peruvian government from this moment.
I avail myself, with satisfaction, of this opportunity to renew
to your excellency the assurances of the high respect and esteem
with which I subscribe myself your very obedient servant,
JOSE ANTONIO G. Y GARCIA.
His Excellency William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.,
Washington.
[Translation.—Extract.]
Mr. Garcia to Mr. Seward.
Clarendon Hotel,
New York,
July 28,
1868.
Sir: * * * * * * * * * * *
The foregoing would undoubtedly suffice for the end in view when
addressing an upright and enlightened government, such as that
of your Excellency’s; but the government of Peru voluntarily and
deliberately desires to offer to yours the most perfect security
as to the rectitude of its intentions in sending those vessels
to the coasts of the republic, and for that purpose has
instructed me to reiterate, expressly in its name, to the United
States government, the formal promise that the monitors will
leave for the Pacific without attacking, or in any way
molesting, any vessels or possessions of Spain, and without
committing any act of hostility, directly or indirectly, against
the flag of that nation, either at sea or on land, to which they
may not be provoked. The honor of the Peruvian government, I
again repeat on this occasion, guarantees to your Excellency the
strict fulfillment of this solemn promise.
* * * * * * * * * * *
I have the honor of subscribing myself, with the highest
consideration, your Excellency’s most humble and obedient
servant,
JOSE ANTONIO G. Y GARCIA.
His Excellency William H.
Seward,
Secretary of State of the U. S. of America,
Washington.
