F. F. Low to Hamilton Fish, July 19, 1873

No. 132. Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.

Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 105, of November 13, 1872, enclosing the translation of a note from Colonel Freyre, the minister of Peru, informing you of the proposed appointment of a diplomatic mission to China and Japan, to negotiate treaties of amity and commerce with their rulers, and directing me to afford the Peruvian envoy whatever aid I could in carrying out this object, I have now the honor to inform you that, since the receipt of this dispatch, I have received notice from Señor Garcia, charged with this mission to these countries, of his arrival in Japan and successful conduct of his negotiations with the court at Yedo, and his speedy departure from thence to Peking. (Inclosure No. 1.)

In compliance with his request, I made known his expected arrival to the Chinese government, of which fact the envoy was duly informed. (Inclosures 2 and 3.)

The following day the prince replied to my note in the most decided manner, declining to negotiate any treaty with Peru until she vindicated her reputation in the treatment of Chinese subjects taken there as laborers. (Inclosure No. 4.) In this dispatch he alludes to the documents sent to him by Mr. Browne (see his dispatch No. 29, June 3, 1869) and by Mr. Williams, (see his dispatch, No. 78½, July 26, 1871,) and to information from other sources, to fortify his position in declining the proposal to negotiate.

A translation of the prince’s dispatch has been sent to Señor Garcia, so that he may have proper information to direct his future movements in such a conjuncture.

There is little doubt that the treatment of Chinese laborers in Peru is such as to justify the rulers of this empire in preventing their subjects from entering into contracts for labor in that country.

I will keep you carefully informed of the further proceedings of the two parties in this interesting discussion.

I have, &c.,