Mr. Coggeshall to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have to report that on the 1st instant Señor Lino Ruiz, envoy extraordinary from New Granada, arrived at this capital. It is reported in diplomatic circles that he is instructed to complain that Ecuador has violated her treaties with New Granada by permitting the return of Jesuits; also, that he will protest against the movement which proposes a confederation of Chili, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, known as the “Confederation of the Andes;” a movement earnestly urged here by the Bolivian minister. Some color is given to rumors of a disposition on the part of New Granada to be dissatisfied with Ecuador, from the fact that a few days ago this government received an elaborate despatch from the government of New Granada requesting Ecuador to join it in a protest against certain regulations entered into between Peru and Brazil concerning the navigation of the Amazon. Ecuador has declined to grant this request, because it is in alliance with Peru. The question is not likely to be settled by this correspondence. The free navigation of the Amazon to its mouth is of so great importance to all the South American republics, that sooner or later a surrender of the monopoly now exercised by Brazil must be insisted upon.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.