Patricio Lynch to Christiancy, September 17, 1880

Mr. Lynch to Mr. Christiancy.

Sir: I have had the honor to receive your polite notes of the 13th and 14th instant, in which your excellency is pleased to bring to my knowledge the laudable efforts which have been made towards the belligerent governments for the purpose of bringing about an honorable peace between them, through the medium of the mediation of the Government of the United States, of which your excellency is the worthy representative at Lima.

Your excellency, in making known to me what has been done to that end, and what is hoped for from the good offices (of the United States) has been pleased to indicate to me the conduct, which, in your judgment, I should follow in the military operations which my government has confided to me, in view of the good will with which the belligerent governments have accepted the mediation of that of your excellency.

It would have been very gratifying to me, Mr. Minister, to accept your manner of thinking if I had not been informed to-day by the commanding officer of our squadron, that the Government of Peru is continuing its operations against the vessels of the Chilian navy.

The repetition of such insidious attempts on the part of that government, at the time when your excellency assures me of the desire it expresses to negotiate for peace, convinces me that its purpose is not genuine.

For this reason I see no well-founded motive for suspending the military operations which have been confided to me in the absence of a special instruction from my government.

So far as concerns respect for the property of neutrals, which your excellency is pleased to recommend to me in the notes, which I have the honor to answer, your excellency may rest assured that I will proceed in conformity with the prescriptions of international law.

In conclusion, I beg your excellency to accept the high esteem with which I subscribe myself your obedient servant,