Thomas H. Nelson to the Secretary of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Chili, February 23, 1866
Mr. Nelson to Mr. Covarrubias.
Sir: I have received your excellency’s note, dated the 17th instant, in reply to my own of the 12th, wherein I had the honor to propose to your excellency’s government the arbitration of the United States, with a view of bringing to a peaceful and honorable termination the present contest between Chili and Spain.
Your excellency is pleased to observe that while the obstacle presented to such arbitration by the existence of a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, between the republic and Peru is not insurmountable, such is not the case with regard to the difficulties presented by the action of the cabinets of London and Paris, which have tendered their good offices with similar views, through their representatives in Santiago; that the conferences for this purpose being yet pending, a proposition, the acceptance of which would be incompatible with the prosecution of such negotiations, could not be entertained.
Your excellency further states that should the obstacles alluded to disappear, the government of the republic would rejoice to find itself in a position to co-operate in carrying out the pacific views of the United States.
As it is the earnest desire of my government, and my own, to attain the object proposed, namely, a peaceful and honorable termination to the existing hostilities, I beg to say that your excellency may consider the offer made by me, in the name of my government, to that end as a permanent one, open to the acceptance of that of your excellency whenever the time for that acceptance shall, in its opinion, have arrived.
It only remains for me to reiterate to your excellency my earnest desire that soon such may be the case, and the republic of Chili exchange the evils of war for the blessings of peace and renewed prosperity.
Availing myself of this occasion, I have the honor to renew to your excellency the assurances of my most distinguished consideration and respect.
His Excellency the Secretary of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Chili.