Thomas O. Osborn to Dr. Don B. Zorrilla, July 6, 1880

No. 21. Mr. Osborn to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have just sent you a telegram saying, “Peace. General government supreme.”

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And, more in detail, I have now the honor to inform you that hostilities between the national government and the provincial authorities of Buenos Ayres have absolutely ceased. Governor Tejedor has resigned as governor, and the legislature has accepted his resignation. The lieutenant-governor is acting governor, and accepts the situation. This port was opened this morning. The provincial troops are being disarmed, the barricade removed, and the streets repaired.

On the 22d of June, after it was found that the battle of the 21st, referred to in my No. 287, was much more decisive than at first supposed, that the provincial forces had been badly defeated and driven into the city, and that the city had been absolutely inclosed by the national forces, a committee called on me and presented a petition, signed by a large portion of the commercial community, asking me to mediate between the contending parties in behalf of the lives and property of the citizens of all nationalities.

After giving the petition due consideration, and knowing that while it would not be offensive to the national government it might afford the provincial authorities a way out of their desperate situation, I addressed a note, a copy of which I have the honor to inclose herewith, marked A, to the minister of foreign affairs, and at the same time I addressed the same note unofficially to the government of the province, tendering my good offices, copies of the reply of the minister and governor to which I have the honor to inclose herewith, marked B and C.

After the battle of the 21st, General Mitré was appointed by Governor Tejedor commander-in-chief for the defense of Buenos Ayres. On the 24th, Mitré proceeded to Belgrano with a letter from Tejedor to the president, offering to surrender, and asking for terms. The president refused to see General Mitré, but his minister of interior received him and replied that the national authorities demanded that Governor Tejedor should resign as governor; that the provincial forces should be disarmed and the arms deposited in the national arsenal, and absolute submission on the part of the provincial authorities to the general government under the constitution, and all questions relating to the presidential election to be submitted to Congress.

These terms were finally accepted and are now being carried out.

I have, &c.,