The envoy plenipotentiary for the Colombian States, Señor Lino Ruiz, was
formally received by this government on the 9th instant. I enclose a
copy of “The Nacional” containing his address, and the response of the
President.
Garcia Moreno, envoy of Ecuador to Chili, who returned to this city on
the 20th, reports that according to the best information he could obtain
in Chili, there is no immediate prospect of peace between Spain and the
allied republics.
It is understood that this government has appointed Don Antonio Flores
minister to England for the adjustment of questions connected with the
equadorian debt. Mr. Flores will also represent Ecuador at the Paris
Exposition.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Foreign relations.
[From the Nacional.—Translation.]
Quito,
November 13, 1866.
On the 9th instant his excellency Don Lino Ruiz, envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary from the United States of Colombia, was
received at a public audience, who, on placing in the hands of his
excellency the President of the republic the autograph letter of the
President of those states, delivered the following speech:
Your Excellency: I have the honor to place
in your hands the autograph letter of the citizen, grand general,
President of the United States of Colombia, which accredits me as
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary near the government
of your excellency. Outside of the important negotiations which are
still depending between the two republics, the government of
Colombia considers that the events accomplished in the Pacific by
reason of the maritime war which the allied republics sustain
against Spain make the presence of their representatives near these
governments opportune, to signify to them that their policy is in
perfect harmony with historic traditions and family ties imposed on
them by their relationship with all the free nations of the
continent. In this respect I could say nothing better to you,
serving as the faithful organ of the sentiments of the people and of
the government of the United States of Colombia in all that bears
relation to the holy cause of the independence and sovereignty of
the American republics, than the words of the grand general,
President, in his proclamation to the army of the 7th of August,
last anniversary of the immortal day of Boyaca, of which your
excellency knows. It is pleasant to me to announce to you that I am
the bearer of a letter, in which the President of Colombia invites
the government of your excellency in the same terms in which he has
addressed the other republican governments of Latin America, that
they may use their influence for the purpose of effecting the
installation of the new American Congress—a Congress called, in
reality, to give full development to the philanthropic thought of a
great confederation of nationalities of like origin and identical
aspirations, in which the Christian observances and benefits of the
principles of liberty and equality common to all may be the
guarantee of domestic peace, stable and fruitful; a measure,
perhaps, the most effective to advance its credit and respectability
abroad, and strengthen its independence. Far from the antagonism
which different forms of government and sad commercial restrictions
have cast upon the nations of the European continent, the South
American states may form such intimate union that their frontiers
may be mere geographical demarcations for the more easy
administration of internal affairs. Happily, republican America has
only to create this sentiment of union; it is sufficient to it to
fortify by the adoption of fraternal compacts and of homogeneous
popular institutions the spirit which animated it when it passed
from the inert colonial life to that of action and independence—a
spirit which ought to be more powerful among nations which find
themselves endowed with the resources of modern progress, and which
have displayed before their eyes the history of those which have
preceded them in the march of civilization. As a proof of friendly
consideration and of the high confidence which the government of
Colombia has in the rectitude of the Equatorian government, the
grand general, President, thinks there is no necessity to submit to
the arbitrament of a third power the decisions of pending questions,
it being possible to treat them, directly with your enlightened
government in the assurance that they will be solved in common
accord, and conformity with what the just claims of both republics
require. I entertain the purpose to carry out the sentiments of
cordial friendship which the government of Colombia has sent me to
express to you, and to cultivate with every care, and with such
laudable views I hope to achieve and deserve during my stay in this
capital the kindness of your excellency, of the members of your
administration, and of the Equadorian people.
His Excellency the President replied:
I experience real pleasure in receiving the autograph letter of the
citizen President of the United States of Colombia accrediting you
as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary near this
government. The divers objects which characterize the mission with
which you are charged are certainly interesting; that I may
appreciate them in all their extension I proffer to you that I will
examine them with eagerness and with the cordiality which ought to
reign among nations which belong to the old and glorious Colombia,
and which it is suitable for our benefit should be kept united,
availing of the wise and forecasting counsel of its founder, the
liberator of three republics, at the very moment when he closed his
eyes and bade farewell to his favorite daughter. The epoch which at
present presses on America, and excites the contemplation of all its
governments, looking to the future, compels to strengthen and affirm
more and more a good understanding between the states of this
continent in sustaining their sovereignty and the constituent
principles of their political existence, to keep it intact, and to
move on undisturbed to their future destiny of aggrandizement and
prosperity. The citizen President of the Colombian union has well
comprehended the present situation of the republics on the Pacific,
and giving it due importance, manifests, opportunely, that his
policy is in perfect harmony with the duties which historic
tradition and family ties impose on the nations of the continent.
Penetrated with the necessity of perfecting and advancing
[Page 483]
the labors of the American
Congress, and acceding to the invitation I received for the
assemblage of another of like character, I have not hesitated in
ordering my minister at Lima that he may assist thereat by
forwarding to him the necessary instructions, and it will be
satisfactory to me to hear of its installation, and that it is
engaged on questions of vital transcendence to the peace, welfare,
and fraternity of nations identified in origin, similitude of
interests, and aspiration to the same purpose of assuring their
independence, and turning it to the benefit of the associates under
the shelter of solemn compacts dictated by the spirit of the most
achrysolated Americanism. At present it seems to be occupied, by
preference, in defence of principles sacred to the regulation of
negotiations, which can easily be effected afterwards on appeal to
noble sentiments and the powerful voice of justice. With the
government of Ecuador this disposition will ever be found, and I
doubt not the same prevails in the United States of Colombia, for
settling pending questions, accepting with confidence the opinion of
an arbiter who may give it in accordance with the evidence of his
convictions. I am sure you will faithfully interpret the expression
of the sincere friendship of the enlightened government of Colombia
towards this republic, as well as the high estimation which the
people and government of Ecuador have for it, promising you, during
your stay among us, the consideration and respect which you will
know how to gather round you through your distinguished
deportment.
