Gustavus Koerner to William H. Seward, May 28, 1864

Mr. Koerner to Mr. Seward.

Sir:A few days after sending my last despatch, No. 96, of May 15, news was received here by the government, and published in The Journal, which made it highly probable that hostilities between Spain and Peru were on the point of breaking out. I lost no time in addressing a note to Mr. Pacheco, in which I again offered, as I had done in my previous conversation with him, reported to you in my despatch 89, the services of our government to prevent a rupture, and to reconcile conflicting claims. I have the honor of enclosing you a copy of my note to the minister, dated May 20, 1864.

On yesterday I received Mr. Pacheco’s reply, of which I send you a translated copy.

It will be perceived that the minister, on the strength of the events which have come to his knowledge since my interview with him, the refusal on the part of the Peruvian government to receive Mr. Salazar, the Spanish envoy, and to negotiate with him, now declines the interposition or mediation of the United States or any other friendly power. I do not exactly see the force of his reasoning, If it was consistent with Spanish honor for our government to use its endeavors to make Peru listen to reasonable demands on the part of Spain, it must be equally so if our government would try to make Peru treat with Mr. Salazar, or to give satisfactory explanations for not having done so. Our good offices, it strikes me, might have been exercised in the one case as well as in the other.

I do not intend, however, to press the matter any further for the present, for several reasons, one of which is that I consider our government still perfectly free to use its influence with Peru, in making that country do what may be considered right and proper.

I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,