Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine.
Santiago, December 4, 1891.
Mr. Egan reports that on the ground of treason, breaking the constitution, violating the laws, not enforcing the laws, subornation and malversation of public funds, a motion for impeachment against six of the late cabinet ministers, three of whom are refugees in the legation, was made in Congress on the day previous, and that they hope by this means to have the refugees delivered. He says than he has received from the secretary of the Chamber of Deputies a written request to be allowed to notify the refugees in person, and that he has notified the minister of foreign affairs that he could not with propriety have direct [Page 251] official intercourse with the secretary of the Chamber of Deputies, his credentials being from the Government of the United States to that of Chile, and that he was surprised that the secretary of the Chamber of Deputies should address himself to the legation instead of to the foreign office. Mr. Egan declares that he will not receive any personal service of notification in the legation without being instructed.