B.DAVIS, Acting Secretary to George M. Robeson, August 3, 1869

Mr. Davis, Acting Secretary of State, to Mr. Robeson, Secretary of the Navy.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a translation of a note received this day from the minister from Peru, in which he informs this Department that, a state of war still existing between Spain and Peru, the Spanish government are nevertheless constructing, at the places indicated in his note, thirty gun-boats equipped for war, which may be used to the detriment of Peru.

[755] Instructions have been sent by the Attorney-General to the district attorney of New York to take active steps for preventing the sailing of such of these gun-boats as come within his jurisdiction, and I have now to request of the Navy Department to direct the naval force in the bay and harbor of *New York to co-operate with that officer in what he may do to carry out his instructions.

I have the honor to be, &c.,