Thomas O. Osborn to Dr. Don Bernardo de Irigoyen, October 26, 1881

Mr. Osborn to Mr. Irigoyen.

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt at this moment of a copy of the boundary treaty, signed by the two Republics on the 23d of July of the present year, accompanied by a note from your excellency of the present date.

Permit me to thank your excellency for presenting this legation the first authenticated copy at the disposal of your excellency, and, at the same time, I beg you will excuse a reply to your excellency’s so personal and complimentary note.

Had my colleague at Santiago and I done less than tender our good offices when peace and the good-will of two sister republics were involved, we should have failed to represent that interest which our government has and will always have in the peace and prosperity of her sister republics of South America. I am glad to know that the treaty is an accomplished fact, and in the name of my government I congratulate your excellency, His Excellency the President, and the two republics, and desire to assure your excellency that if our government, by friendly intervention through its representatives, contributed in the least to the happy conclusion of negotiations, it, with its representatives, will find their reward in the hope and desire that the treaty which at this hour links the two republics in the bonds of peace and friendship may be as durable as the wire which was so faithful in the good work, and as lasting as the two republics. And may they live forever.

I cannot conclude this note nor take my leave of your excellency, or of His Excellency the President, in this very important matter in which others besides the two republics and their peoples were deeply interested, without referring to the days and nights of your patriotic labors and anxious thoughts for one whole year in order to preserve the boon of peace to your noble country, and which has connected you and his excellency your chief, the President, with glory.

I have no fitting words with which to express to your excellency my appreciation of the invariable kindness with which your excellency and His Excellency the President received me into your confidence and counsels, and be assured that I shall ever look with pride upon the fact that my name has been connected with the crowning work of your life and the glory of President Roca’s administration.

Your excellency will please to accept my sincere wishes that you may be long preserved to your country and enjoy the renown which you have so successfully achieved.

I remain, Mr. Minister, &c.,