Henry Trescot to James G. Blaine, December 12, 1881

No. 34. Mr. Trescot to Mr. J. G. Blaine.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you of our arrival at this place. Leaving Aspinwall yesterday by special train, we reached Panama in the afternoon, and went at once on board of the Lackawanna, which will be ready to go to sea to-morrow morning.

It is scarcely necessary, but it only seems proper to say that we were received by Captain Wilson with cordiality, and every possible preparation has been made for our comfort.

There is of course no information of interest in connection with the objects of the mission to communicate from this point. The rumors of occurrences in Peru are almost as vague and contradictory here as at home, and all that we have heard goes to show a continued condition of uncertainty as to whether there is any government in Peru.

I inclose the latest issue of the Daily Star and Herald, containing the proclamation of what would seem to be a sort of provincial dictatorship by General Carceres, and both in Spanish and English a communication by Mr. Hurlbut to the notables of Lima, whoever they may be. All accounts seem to agree that Pierola has abandoned his claims to executive power, and the last report is that he has left the country.

I beg to call to your attention that the mail contained no communication either to General Hurlbut, General Kilpatrick, or Mr. Adams, instructing them as to the purpose or authority of the special mission. For reasons which are obvious I do not desire to submit to them my own instructions, and there may be some embarrassment should they, in the absence of instructions, decline to recognize the transfer of the negotiations to the special mission.

I know that such instructions were prepared, and I am confident that they were signed and ready for transmission. If they have been intentionally withheld I feel very sure that I would have been so informed, and I hope that you will agree in the conclusion to which I have come, that it is my duty to act as if they had been sent, and, if necessary, to furnish these gentlemen with copies of such portions of my own instructions as specify the duties and the extent of the authority confided to me.

Referring also to your verbal instructions, that I should take charge of the invitations to the Governments of Chili, Peru, and Bolivia to be represented at the proposed congress in Washington, and deliver them to the respective governments at such time as the circumstances of the anticipated negotiation seemed to render most opportune, I beg to inform you that the mail contains no such communications, and it will occur to you without suggestion from me that if at some later date these invitations are transmitted to the ministers at Lima, Santiago, and La Paz, they should be instructed not to present them without my knowledge and approval.

Their delivery might, under circumstances by no means improbable, cause very serious embarrassment in the conduct of the special mission with which I have been charged. A reference to my instructions will, I think, sufficiently explain my meaning.

I consider this so important that I have deemed it proper to telegraph you the fact that these instructions have not been sent, in order that by the next mail I may know whether they have been intentionally kept back, or that, in case of accidental omission, they may be supplied.

I have the honor, &c.,

To the Notables of Lima:

Gentlemen: At your request I make the following declaration:

• Firstly. The United States of America are firmly in favor of the cessation of hostilities between Chili and Peru, and the prompt re-establishment of peace.
• Secondly. The United States of America decidedly oppose all dismemberment of Peru, except with the free and full consent of the nation.
• Thirdly. They are of opinion that Chili has acquired, as the result of the war, the right to a war indemnity, and that Peru cannot refuse such payment.

The Government of Chili knows that these are the ideas of the United States, but the divisions which exist in Peru paralyze the good offices of the United States, and give a pretext to Chili to elude the action of the United States in conformity with our desires, and to prolong the state of war and the military occupation of Peru, Chili says, “We also desire peace, but there is no one here competent to arrange it.” This declaration is unfortunately true. For this state of affairs, the only remedy is to be found in Peru itself.

Union, under whosoever may be elected, will destroy the pretext of Chili; and give to the United States an advantage which they require and of which they will know how to take advantage. In my opinion nothing else will save the country from an indefinite military occupation by Chili.

Peru must save itself, by the sacrifice of personal ambitions on the altar of the redemption of the country.

I remain, gentlemen, yours, very truly,