Mr. Coggeshall to Mr. Seward
No. 26.]
United States Legation,
Quito,
February 2, 1867.
Sir: I take much pleasure in forwarding to the
Department of State the enclosed correspondence, marked A and B, which
declares that arrangements have been perfected for the payment, at
maturity, of the second instalment of the debt due the United
States.
[Page 283]
I have several times sought interviews with influential members of the
government for the purpose of representing the propriety and advantage
of avoiding the embarrassments which were connected with this question
last year, and was gratified to find, in the course of a conversation
with the minister of foreign affairs on Monday last, that these efforts
have not been without good effect. I assured the minister that the
promptness of this government would be acknowledged with marked
courtesy, and would enhance the respect and regard of the government and
people of the United States for Ecuador.
I also told him I did not doubt that you would authorize the publication
of the fact of payment in a manner which would contribute to the good
credit of this republic.
I have sent a copy of the order for payment to the United States consul
at Guayaquil, and have instructed him to collect the sum due, and
transmit it, in exchange upon London, to the State Department. A copy of
my letter to the consul, marked C, is herewith enclosed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D.
C.
[Translation.]
Republic of Ecuador, Office of State in
the Department of the Interior,
Quito,
January 28, 1867.
Honorable Minister of State in the Office of the
Interior:
In order that you may have the goodness to inform his excellency the
minister resident of the United States of America, I have the honor
to advise you that, on the 23d of the present month, I addressed a
note to the governor of the province of Guayaquil, ordering the
payment of the second instalment of the North American creditors, of
which the following is a literal copy:
“The 27th of February of the present year there falls due the second
instalment for $10,533 28 of the North American debt, payment of
which I direct to your excellency for supreme disposition,
recommending your punctual compliance in order justly to comply with
the faith of the government and to avoid future remonstrances. I
address your excellency in order that, the day of payment having
arrived, and before causing any serious inconvenience to the public
treasury, you may deliver to Mr. Louis Prevost the corresponding
amount received from the private bank of this city, to account of
the instalment of this month and corresponding to the respective
vouchers. Your excellency will also have the goodness to order that
the corresponding voucher be remitted to this office to Mr. A. H.
Couster, which he has not hitherto sent, notwithstanding the
voluntary contribution called for by the government several
times.
MANUEL BUSTAMENTE.
The copy:
The great official, JUAN LEON MERO.
Mr. Coggeshall to Señor Bustamente
United States Legation,
Quito,
January 29, 1867.
Sir: I acknowledge, with much satisfaction,
the letter of your excellency, enclosing a copy of an order to the
governor of Guayaquil, providing for the payment, at maturity, of
the second instalment of the debt due from Ecuador to the United
States of America. I have forwarded the necessary instructions for
its collection to the United States consul at Guayaquil, and will
promptly communicate to my government the correspondence on the
subject, confident that it will be acknowledged with courtesy
becoming the friendly relations it is calculated to promote.
In the copy of the order of the minister of the interior,
accompanying your letter, February 27 is given as the date of the
maturity of the obligation. I presume that to be a clerical
[Page 284]
error, February 17 being
the correct date as mentioned to me by your excellency in the
interview you were pleased to grant on Monday last.
Renewing assurances of personal regard and distinguished
consideration, I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. Manuel Bustamente,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Coggeshall to Mr. Prevost
United States Legation,
Quito,
January 29, 1867.
Sir: Herewith I hand you a copy of an order
transmitted by the minister of internal affairs for Ecuador to the
governor of the province of Guayaquil, directing the payment of the
second instalment of the debt due the United States, which matures
on the 17th day of February, proximo.
You are hereby authorized to receive said instalment and receipt
therefor, transmitting the same, in exchange on London, to the
Department of State at Washington, of which transactions you will
immediately advise me.
Very respectfully,
W. T. COGGESHALL, U. S. Minister
Resident.
L. V. Prevost, Esq., U. S. Consul, Guayaquil.
