Mr. Egan to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Santiago, September 7, 1891.
(Received November 13.)
No. 197.]
Sir: On 1st instant, as soon after the fall of the
Government of President Balmaceda as the telegraphs began to operate, I
forwarded telegram, conveying information of the situation. I received on 3d
instant the telegram dispatched by you on the 29th instant.
After the battle of Placillas, referred to in my last dispatch, such members
of the Junta de Gobierno as had accompanied the expedition from the north,
together with the leaders of the army and about 5,000 of the northern
troops, came to Santiago.
On 4th instant the Provisional Government forwarded to this legation by note
from Don Isidoro Errazuriz, secretary of foreign relations, a communication
informing me of its constitution and location in the capital of the
Republic, of which I inclose translation (marked No. 1).
On the 5th instant I received your telegram of the 4th, instructing me that
if a government had been formed by the congressional party which was
accepted by the people to recognize it and open communication with its
head.
Such a government having been formed, and it being undoubtedly accepted by
the majority of the people, I lost no time in addressing to Señor Errazuriz,
in reply to his communication, a letter of recognition, of which I beg to
send copy (marked No. 2), and to-day I have forwarded telegram informing you
of this fact.
My relations with all of the members of the new Government are entirely
cordial.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
197—Translation.]
Señor Errazuriz to
Mr. Egan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Santiago, September 4,
1891.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency
that, the entire country being now under control of the legal authority,
the honorable Government Assembly, over which presides the Hon. Jorge
Montt have now fixed their residence in the capital of the Republic.
Therefore this department takes pleasure in informing your excellency
that the Provisional Government will continue to be presided over by
captain of the national navy, Hon. Jorge Montt; vice-president of the
Senate, Hon. Waldo Silva; and president of the House of Representatives,
Hon. Ramon Barros Luco; and the honorable gentlemen Manuel J.
Irarrazabal, Joaquin Walker Martinez, Col. Adolfo Holley will discharge
the duties of secretaries of the departments of the interior and public
works, finance, war and marine, respectively; the undersigned being in
[Page 161]
charge of the departments
of foreign affairs, worship, justice, and public instruction.
In informing your excellency of the reestablishment of the legal powers
of the Republic, I have the honor to manifest to you in the name of the
honorable Assembly that it will be their constant aim to cultivate with
you the frankest relations that the Chilean nation is called upon to
maintain towards the Government of the United States of America,
assuring your excellency for my part it will be an honor to faithfully
interpret the sincere wishes and good feeling of the Provisional
Government of the Republic toward the worthy Government which your
excellency represents.
With sentiments of deepest consideration, I have the honor to subscribe
myself,
Your obedient servant,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 197.]
Mr. Egan to Señor
Errazuriz.
Legation of the United States,
Santiago, September 5,
1891.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the attentive note of your excellency of yesterday’s date,
informing me that the entire country being now under the legal régimen
of the Exma Junta de Gobierno, under the presidency of Hon. Jorge Montt,
has fixed its residence in the capital of the Republic; that in
consequence the Provisional Government of the country will continue to
be presided over by a Junta de Gobierno composed of captain of the
national marine, Hon. Jorge Montt; the vice-president of the Senate,
Hon. Waldo Silva; the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hon. Ramon
Barros Luco; of Hon. Manuel J. Irarrazabal, Hon. Joaquin Walker
Martinez, and Col. Adolfo Holley, who discharge the duties of
secretaries of the departments of interior and public works, treasury,
and war and marine, respectively; and of your excellency in charge of
the departments of foreign relations and public worship, and justice and
public instruction.
In conveying to the honorable Junta of the Provisional Government the
cordial recognition of the Government of the United States, which I am
duly authorized to do, I beg to convey to your excellency my sincere
congratulations upon the reestablishment of the internal peace of the
country, and to ardently reciprocate the desire which your excellency
expresses for the maintenance of the kindliest relations between our
respective nations. To me it will be always most grateful to aid in
every way to cultivate those kindly feelings and to use my best
endeavors to draw more closely together in the bonds of mutual respect
and friendship the sister Republics of Chile and the United States.
Availing of this occasion to convey the assurance of my distinguished
consideration,
I have, etc.,
