No. 594.
Señor Elmore to the President.
Washington, November 19, 1881.
Mr. President: Although every foreign minister accredited to the chief of state enjoys the privilege of conferring with the sovereign or President upon the affairs of his own country, I have seldom asked for that honor, being, on principle, opposed to molesting the head of the nation, generally overburdened with too many cares and attentions. But it is not every day (if it ever occurred before in history) that when hostilities have ceased to exist, for nearly a year, the victorious government of one of the belligerents commits the stupendous outrage of taking and carrying off the recognized and unoffending President and secretary of state of the other belligerent. This, Mr. President, is what the Chilian Government has done with the President and the minister of foreign relations of Peru.
Such an event, and the complicated state of affairs in South America, authorize me, I think, and make it a solemn duty on my part, to request your excellency to grant me the high privilege of a short interview, when I wish to thank your excellency for all the good your excellency’s government has done and is doing for my country, and also to personally explain some facts and events.
Your excellency would confer on me a lasting obligation by letting me know on what day and hour I may have the honor of calling upon your excellency.
I beg to offer to you, Mr. President, the assurances of my profound respect and most distinguished consideration.