“guillermo Rawson to “Señor D. Rufino de Elizalde.”, September 5, 1867

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“I have the honor to inform you that the vice-president of the republic has accepted your resignation as minister of foreign affairs of the nation, an office which you have discharged with the greatest intelligence and patriotism.

“I have been specially requested by the vice-president to manifest to you that, since the motive which you allege as the cause of the step you have taken had, so far as he was concerned, disappeared, as both the minister of finance and myself took the opportunity of explaining to you, by desire of the vice-president, he highly regrets that you should have thought yourself bound to insist on your resignation, thus depriving the government and the country of the valuable assistance afforded by your enlightenment and zeal.

“The vice-president, on behalf of the government, gratefully acknowledges the distinguished services rendered by you to the nation in the high post you have so worthily filled.

“Having thus acquitted the vice-president’s commission, let me also be permitted to express to you the painful regret I feel at your separation, after having shared with you, for a lengthened period, the labors and the fatigues of the public service, and to renew herewith the assurance of my distinguished regard.