No. 365.
Mr. Thomas to Mr. Fish.
Lima, Peru, July 26, 1872. (Received September 16.)
Sir: A brief and succinct narrative of the very important events which have occurred in Peru since the 22d instant will be interesting to the Department, and becomes the duty of this legation to transmit.
In Mr. Brent’s dispatch, No. 37, dated the 6th of June last, it was stated that the intricate election returns from throughout this republic, tending toward the selection of a President, would have to be decided by the congress assembling in Lima, on the 15th of the present month, in preliminary session. The candidates were Dr. Arenas, the favorite of the government of President Balta, and Mr. Manuel Pardo, the champion of the opposition. It appears that the influence of the administration was not so great as President Balta had imagined, and on the assembling of congress and discovery that the majority of that body were in favor of Mr. Pardo, he determined to abandon all of the proposed plans toward annulling the elections, calling for others, and meanwhile appointing a provisional president, and instead, desirous of preserving tranquillity and the progressive movement of the republic, resolved to quietly resign the reins of power into the hands of the legitimate successor to the presidency, to be declared, on the 28th of July, by congress assembled. But to this General Gutierrez, his minister of war, refused to consent, and, finding Colonel Balta inflexible in his resolve, suddenly took the President prisoner, sent him to a military barracks, and declared himself supreme chief of Peru. His secretary in chief, Dr. Casos, sent me a circular note, (inclosure No. 1,) to which I replied, (inclosure No. 2.)* * Congress was dispersed by the new chieftain at the point of the bayonet, after the members, irrespective of [Page 475] party, had signed a protest declaring Gutierrez and his advisers outlaws and liable to any extreme punishment. The diplomatic corps called together the dean, the papal delegate, and agreed, in the protocol, that they only recognized General Gutierrez as a de facto ruler, and simply that with the object of securing some protection for the lives and property of the citizens or subjects under their respective charge. The army appeared in a measure faithful to Gutierrez, but some revolts have occurred up to the present time, (July 25,) which have given rise to serious alarm in the ranks of the new direction of public affairs. Mr. Pardo and other prominent citizens sought refuge in different legation, or on board of some of the Peruvian vessels of war. The navy en masse refuse allegiance to General Gutierrez. The popular opinion is certainly opposed to this usurpation of the government.
While writing this sentence, the news reached me that President Balta, in his prison, was assassinated at 12 o’clock to-day (the 26th) by order of Gutierrez, the dictator. This act, it is supposed, was induced by the shooting of a brother of Gutierrez by the people this morning Popular indignation immediately rose to a great degree of intensity. The dictator, seeing his few friends forsake him, took refuge with a few soldiers in the fort of Santa Catalina, within the city limits. Colonel Herencia Zevallos, the first vice-president under the Balta administration, immediately entered the government house, and assumed command of the republic. He will call congress to again convene, the inspection of electors will continue, and Mr. Pardo, now without an opponent, will be proclaimed President by that body. On the 2d of August or thereabouts, Colonel Zevallos resigns the reins of office into the hands of Pardo. The condition of affairs was rapidly improving; the people, although without arms, were determined to crush out an odious despotism, and to assert their liberties and rights. No other cry was heard but that of “Viva Pardo, the defender of the people.” At about 9 o’clock the same evening, Gutierrez, convinced of the hopelessness of his cause, endeavored to escape from Santa Catalina, but was discovered by the people, slain, and mutilated in a terrible manner. His naked body and that of his brother were suspended from the high towers of the great cathedral, as a witness to the popular power.
Immediately after this occurrence, and the enemies of peace were routed, perfect order was restored, the people retiring to their homes, confident that from the utility of the lesson given to aspiring men, their constitutional guarantees would be strictly observed. This may be considered as the end of military rule in Peru, and admiration must certainly be conceded to a people who rise en masse to overthrow tyranny, restore the legal institutions of the country, and then quietly disperse to their occupations.
I trust my position in this matter will meet with the approval of my Government.
I have, &c,