Thomas H. Nelson to William H. Seward, January 31, 1866

Mr. Nelson to Mr. Seward.

Sir: On the 16th instant, the Spanish admiral, Don Casto Mendez Nunez, addressed a note to the consul general of Portugal, informing him, as dean of the consular corps, that the blockade of the port of Caldera had been raised. (A.) Thus the blockade of Chili is now reduced to the single port of Valparaiso.

The vessels composing the Spanish squadron were all in Valparaiso on the 16th instant, and there remained without demonstration of any kind until the 21st, when the admiral changed his pennant from the Villa de Madrid to the Numancia, (iron-clad,) and the Villa de Madrid and Blanca, frigates, sailed for the north. The cause of their departure is unknown, but it is generally supposed that they have sailed to the island of Juan Fernandez, to afford their crews an opportunity of going on shore. Up to the moment of writing this despatch neither vessel has returned.

On the 27th instant, news was received here of the ratification of a treaty offensive and defensive between Peru and Chili, and of the declaration by the former, on the 14th instant, of war against Spain. The intelligence spread rapidly, and manifestations of joy have taken place all over the republic.

This alliance, by the terms of which the naval forces of the two republics will act in concert under the orders of the government in whose waters they happen to be, renders the hope of a peaceful solution to the pending difficulties more remote than ever.

No hostile movements have taken place between the two belligerents since I last had the honor to address you, and the press and people of Chili are somewhat impatient at an inaction which appears to them unaccountable. Meanwhile, however, the combined fleet of Chili and Peru is at Chiloe, preparing for action. They await only the arrival of the two new Peruvian war steamers now on their way from England to take the offensive.

On the 29th instant, Admiral Mendez Nunez addressed a note to the consular corps of Valparaiso, enclosing a decree signed by him declaring Chilian coal to be contraband of war. (B.) It will be remembered that a similar declaration on the part of Chili formed one of the causes of grievance for which Spain demanded reparation, and which brought about the present war.

(See enclosure A, in despatch No. 222, of September 28, 1865.)

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Chilian coal declared by the Spanish admiral to be contraband of war.—Note and resolution of Mendez Nunez.

With the following note to the dean of the consulate corps, the chief of the Spanish squadron has transmitted a resolution upon the coal of the Chilian mines, declaring it to be contraband of war:

Headquarters of the Squadron of Her Catholic Majesty in the Pacific, Frigate Numancia, Valparaiso, January 29, 1866.

My Dear Sir: Enclosed is the declaration which, in reference to Chilian mineral coal and in the exercise of my rights as a belligerent, I have issued this day.

I beg your excellency, as the worthy dean of the consular corps resident in Valparaiso, to Inform it thereof.

I avail myself of this occasion to offer to your excellency the assurances of my respect, and and to repeat that I am your most obedient servant,