Allan A. Burton to William H. Seward, June 5, 1866

Mr. Burton to Mr. Seward

Sir: Señor Freyere, accredited by General Prado, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Peru to Colombia, arrived in this capital in January last, for the special purpose of seeking the adhesion of the latter to the alliance of the South Pacific republics against Spain. President Murillo, adopting the course pursued towards himself, when he asked permission as Colombian minister in Washington, declined to accept a representative from General Prado before his authority had been confirmed by the Peruvian people, by the organization of a popular government under a republican constitution. Upon the expiration of President Murillo’s term, on the first of April, Señor Freyere was received by the vice-president of General Mosquera’s administration, Señor Rojas Garrido, then in charge of the national executive power.

Señor Matta, the minister from Chili, who left here for Caracas in December last, to request the co-operation of Venezuela with the allied republics, a notice of which I gave in my No. 207, returned to this city on the 3d instant, without having secured the object of his mission. Venezuela will not join in the alliance, although the people and Congress favor it. Colombia has, in effect, adopted the same course, with the approval of the congress and people. I understand, from a reliable source, that the central republics will not go beyond an expression of sympathy for the other republics engaged in the contest.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,