Adolfo Ibanez to Señor Don Cornelius A. Logan, October 26, 1873

Señor Ibañez to Mr. Logan.

Sir: By the publication of the diplomatic documents which are attached to the memorial presented by this department, in the present year, to the national congress, of which memorial I had the honor of transmitting a printed copy to the legation over which you preside, you will have informed yourself of the question of limits which my government is debating with the Argentine Republic, claiming a better-founded right to the Straits of Magellan and adjacent territory, as also the extensive region known as Patagonia.

You may also have observed that, as shown by the documents, Chili took possession of the straits and surrounding territory in the year 1843, having remained up to this time in their peaceable occupation, and has rendered practicable the navigation of that internal sea which for centuries has presented insuperable obstacles to the transit of vessels. These obstacles have now disappeared almost entirely, through the expenditure of money and many sacrifices by my government.

As the debate upon the question is nearly exhausted, rendering it apparent that it must be decided or brought to an end by the arbitration of a friendly power, in case it may be impossible to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement between the interested governments, it appears to the government of Chili that the opportune moment has arrived to declare to the nations of the world, with whom Chili is in amity, what are its intentions in relation to the navigation of the straits, both in the present and future, and to promulgate its right to the straits and the territory it claims.

By order, then, of his excellency the President of the republic, I am instructed to inform you, to the end that you will be pleased to transmit the same to the Government of the United States, that Chili has always, as now, maintained the desire that the navigation of the Straits of Magellan may always be free for the vessels of the world without pretending to subject them to any other tolls or contributions than those indispensable for the maintenance of light-houses and the securing of safety to navigators.

My government also wishes to maintain the neutrality of the straits in case of the remote and improbable event of an exterior war, in such manner that, not even in this contingency shall there be allowed to be imposed upon the navies of the world any other limitations to their transit than may be required in time of peace.

In order to give to this declaration all the force and consistency demanded by the interests of commerce, there will be procured such legislative enactment as the case may require.

My government flatters itself with the hope that these measures, so much in harmony with the liberal institutions of the republic, will be considered by the Government that your excellency represents with such dignity, as a new proof of the desire with which it is animated to strengthen the good relations binding us to it, and as a sufficient pledge of security that these relations shall never suffer any prejudicial change.

I embrace the opportunity to offer your excellency the expression of the sentiments of high consideration with which I have the honor to be,

Your obedient servant,