Señor Garcia to Mr. Seward
Sir: At the interview to which I had the honor to be invited by your excellency on the 15th instant, you deigned, with marked kindness, to express some opinions on the internal condition of Peru, and more especially in relation to the state of war which continues between Spain and the Pacific alliance. On that occasion it was pleasant to me to express to you my acknowledgments for the thoughts and feelings ingenuously manifested by you, feelings and ideas which were in harmony with those of my government, which had not persisted in war through obstinacy, but in defence of the dignity and of the plainest rights of Peru and her allies, because, as I permitted myself to remind your excellency, I well knew the causes which had rendered ineffective as well the mediation offered by England and France as the good offices interposed by the government of your excellency.
The official language of the Peruvian government, uttered on a recent occasion by his excellency the President of the republic, comes once more in confirmation that, although resolved to sustain with firmness the rights and sovereignty of the nation, she is not deaf to the voice of peace, nor refuses to enter with dignity upon frank and honorable negotiations which may lead to it. On replying to a congratulation from the diplomatic corps resident at Lima, his excellency General La Puerta spoke as follows:
Mr. Dean: I accept the language you have addressed to me, in the name of the diplomatic corps, with so much the more satisfaction, because, in filling temporarily the presidency of the republic, it shows you have confidence that the harmony which exists between Peru and other nations will not be interrupted through me. My constant effort is, even governing me, that Peru may be at peace with ail nations, and, as citizens of the republic, to contract friendship with each of the representatives who are here, as I already have with some of. them.
[Page 786]In this age, when all nations are advancing with gigantic strides in prosperity, whose basis is peace, interminable wars can no longer exist. If Spain, recalling the illustrious past, frankly seeks to renew her relations with the allied republics, my government will lend the greatest facilities, and will aid with all her friendly and conciliatory efforts in pointing out the way to them for so sacred a purpose, and to resolving, by common accord, that the cause is a solidarity which becomes the interest of all.
I make known to your excellency this incident in the policy of my government in devotion to the sincere affection and lively interest which you deign to manifest toward the country, and, with like satisfaction, I will inform your excellency in succession of whatever may conduce to perfect understanding of the rectitude of the Peruvian government in its international policy.
Accept, sir, the assurances of my personal consideration, and of the respect with which I subscribe myself your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.