Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I beg to present to your consideration the following translated extract from the report of the minister of the interior of Peru, submitted [Page 866] to-day to congress. From the extract it will be perceived what views are held by the minister regarding those disturbances which took place in the north in January last, and which gave rise to the claims I have the honor to forward to you:
A very lamentable event, and one fraught with the most unhappy circumstances for agricultural interests, has occurred at Lambayeque, and throws a gloom over the epoch through which we have passed.
Between the proprietors of the estate of Vina and the neighboring population quarrels have been constantly taking place for some time past. These quarrels were brought to a climax by the triumph gained in Chiclayo by the constitutional party, and for the moment there was no authority at Lambayeque sufficiently powerful to cause private rights to be respected. The government immediately took measures to prevent a repetition of these occurrences, and Colonel Balta was sent to calm the excitement of the people in that section; this he did by means of his great influence, but it has been necessary to maintain in Lambayeque a force sufficient to guarantee those private rights which were so cruelly trampled upon.
This opinion of the minister demonstrates clearly the justice of the claims against his government, which are herewith transmitted.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.