Ernest Dichman to By the President: Wm. M. Evarts, August 2, 1879

No. 194. Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: In my No. 100, of June 21, 1879, I had the honor to bring the position of this government in relation to the war between the three South American republics to your notice, and I also communicated the fact that the Colombian Government had sent a special mission to the governments of Peru, Bolivia, and Chili for the purpose of offering the friendly mediation of Colombia.

Since the date of that dispatch, President Trujillo has made inquiry of me on several occasions, if I had received any information from you as to the course which the Government of the United States would pursue in regard to the war, and he also expressed the hope that the Government of the United States would not spare any effort to bring about a cessation of hostilities.

My answer to the President on these occasions was always to the effect that I had no hesitation in saying that the war between the three republics must be a cause of profound sorrow to the government and to the people of the United States, and that the course of the war and the means and time for bringing about a cessation of hostilities were, undoubtedly, matters of anxious consideration at Washington.

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I now beg to invite your attention to the accompanying note from the Hon. Luis Carlos Rico, secretary of the interior and foreign relations, on the matter herein mentioned.

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It is, perhaps, well to state that the Hon. Dr. Pablo Arosemena, who has been charged with the special mission above described, is now supposed to beat Lima, having left Panama about two weeks ago. He speaks English perfectly, and the representatives of the Government of the United States in the countries to which he will go, will find in him a courteous and agreeable gentleman.

I am, &c.,