314 EVENTS SUCCEEDING THE ELECTION. 



embargo or blockade of the port of Coquimbo, and requesting of the undersigned the nature 

 and origin of that measure as a precautionary security towards American interests. 



After making known to the President the communication of Mr. Peyton, the undersigned 

 has been instructed by his Excellency to reply : That, on account of the revolution which broke 

 out in the city of Serena on the fab ultimo, in order to prevent the grave evils to be feared as 

 consequences of excess, as well to the republic as to foreign commerce, and to stop the progress 

 of the insurrection through maritime communication, the government ordered the closing of 

 the ports in the province of Coquimbo. Persuaded, also, that the co-operation of the British 

 forces in the execution of the measure would be of much importance, the government consented 

 to the part taken by the British agents respecting the port of Coquimbo, after having commu- 

 nicated with the Charge d' Affaires of H. B. M. concerning the prejudices already caused to 

 British interests in Coquimbo by the insurrectionists, the necessity of preventing them in 

 future, and the impossibility in which the government actually finds itself to afford those 

 interests, at a point occupied only by factionists, the protection belonging to them. 



In thus replying to the American envoy, the undersigned regrets that the actual circum- 

 stances of the administration should have caused him to forget the necessity of notifying his 

 Excellency opportunely of what had occurred relative to the subject embraced in his note. 



The undersigned will not close the present without adding, for the information of his Excel- 

 lency, that the "Mercurio de Valparaiso" is not the organ of the government, as he mista"kenly 

 supposes. 



The undersigned is gratified in repeating to Mr. Peyton, &c., &c.* 



ANTONIO VARAS. 



To the ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY 



of the United States of America. 



To blockade a port of a friendly nation with the armed vessels of the country against one of 

 whose vessels wrong had been perpetrated in its waters, can be justified only as an ultimate 

 mode of redress. For offences committed by its citizens, justice can be sought by the foreigner 

 only at the hands of the government de facto. Disorders among its citizens should be quelled 

 wholly by its own power, unless the party interposing be an ally both in war and peace. Insur- 

 rection may prove revolution, in which case the triumphant party become responsible for viola- 

 tion of neutral rights during the struggle. 



On reaching Talcahuano, H. B. M. steamer Driver found that the Firefly had sailed; 

 and the commander, instead of remaining "for the protection of British interests," returned 

 to Valparaiso forthwith. By this arrival such information was obtained of the proceedings at 

 the south as compelled the government to make every effort for the maintenance of its position. 

 A large number of his rank and file having deserted, to preserve the remainder General Viel 

 found himself under the necessity of retreating, instead of being able to march on the insur- 

 gents at Concepcion. Himself of French origin, a soldier of the revolution, and a liberalist all 

 his life, he possibly remained faithful only because of the confidence reposed in him by govern- 

 ment not from want of sympathy with the Cruzistas. 



Though official bulletins announced the loyal dispositions of surrounding provinces, and 

 trivial advantages over detached parties near Coquimbo were published at the capital from day 

 to day, and sometimes twice a day, yet the enlistment of new battalions .in every province where 

 a body of recruits could be trusted, and a constant despatch of arms and ammunition from San- 

 tiago, were direct contradictions to the repeatedly asserted belief expressed in the government 

 paper that the insurrection would be quelled immediately. Of course, the opposition was not 

 allowed a printing-press openly ; nor were letters to them permitted to pass the post unopened. 

 Indeed, the few known members belonging to it who dared remain within Santiago, clergymen 

 not excepted, were forced to conceal themselves in the houses of friends. Yet they did manage 

 to print brief notices ; and when letters could no longer be trusted, confidential partisans were 



