De la Riva Aguero to Mr. De Long, November 21, 1872

Peruvian minister of foreign affairs to Mr. De Long.

Hon. Aurelio Garcia y Garcia, a post-captain in the Peruvian navy, who will place this note in your excellence’s hands, has been appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at the courts of China and Japan, with the object of concluding treaties of friendship and commerce with both countries. Mr. Garcia is also charged with the mission to arrange in an amicable manner, with the government at Yedo, the question which has arisen out of the disagreeable incident which took place at Yokohama with the Peruvian ship Maria Luz. Mr. Garcia’s mission is one of peace, and although the government had the purpose at first, that is to say, before the incident came to their knowledge, to send the legation, accompanied by two men-of-war, which would give it more prestige, the government gave up this idea in order to avoid doubts about its peaceful intentions.

The legation intrusted to Captain Garcia needs then the support and co-operation which, I have no doubt, your excellency will please lend to it, continuing in this way the good offices which your excellency has exercised in favor of Peru, near that government, in the case of the Maria Luz, and in the transmission to this department of the full and detailed facts which refer to it.

The Peruvian government will always feel grateful both to the Government of the United States for the recommendation which in our favor they made to their represent tative in Japan, as also to your excellency for the solicitous care with which your excellency has acted on that recommendation.

Independent of this, Mr. Garcia is likewise instructed to arrange with your excellency about the expenses which your excellency has sent to this department, and any other matter referring to the service of Peru.

I avail myself of this opportunity to repeat to your excellency the expression of thanks of my government, and to offer once more to your excellency the assurances of my distinguished consideration and esteem.