Gustavus Koerner to Manuel Pacheco, May 20, 1864

Mr. Koerner to Mr. Pacheco.

Sir:Some time ago I had the honor of communicating to your excellency, in an informal and confidential manner, the apprehension felt by the government of the United States of possible difficulties of a serious character between the government of her Catholic Majesty and the republic of Peru, and the great desire entertained on the part of the United States to prevent hostilities from breaking out between two nations, towards both of which they have none but the most friendly and disinterested feeling.

I informed your excellency that the government of the United States would be happy if it could make itself instrumental in smoothing down these difficulties unhappily existing between the two powers.

Your excellency expressed yourself pleased with the remarks which I had offered, and intimated that if the circumstances should permit of an exercise of our good offices in this complication they would not be refused. Inasmuch, however, as you were at the time without information as regarded the success of the mission of Señor Salazar, her Majesty’s special envoy to Peru, and the steps which had been taken by Admiral Pinzon, you were not, at the period of our interview, in a position to express yourself definitively on the proposition which I had been instructed to mention to you informally. I have received no additional despatches on the subject from my government since that interview; but having learned from the public journals that the arrival of Señor Salazar at Peru, and his proceedings, whatever they were, have failed to lead to negotiations promising a peaceful settlement of the existing controversies, and that, on the contrary, hostilities are imminent, if they have not already broken out, I deem it consonant with my former instructions to again repeat, in a confidential manner, the offer of the government which I represent to use its best exertions for a satisfactory settlement of the questions in dispute.

The government of the United States will cheerfully, I believe, support any demand on the part of her Catholic Majesty’s government founded on the principles of justice, equity, and international law, and will use its best efforts to persuade and induce the Peruvian government to comply with all such demands.

I have no doubt the influence of the United States would be very great with the Peruvian government, and that its exercise might be beneficial to both countries which are now at disagreement.

I embrace this opportunity of repeating to your excellency the assurance of my highest consideration, &c., &c.