The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-18 00:00:00

THE SUJN, LONVOIs, SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 18, IEEt.

forces of the United States and Europe in the
Pacific being amply sufficient for the purpose—
for the protection of commercial interests.
Of course it occurred to every one that
decisive action from this source was very
doubtful, as the Ministers might not feel themselves
warranted in proceeding to active measures without
advices from their respective Governments. There-
fore they would finally have to consider what course
they should now adopt. The Spanish Minister, M.
Tavira, who had returned with him from Valparaiso,
had repeatedly said that the conduct. of Spain was
certainly atrocious, and he thought no doubt could
exist as to the importance of at once petitioning our
own Government to take action in the matter for
protection of the interests of British merchants.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then read a resolution to the fol-
owing effect :

" That this meeting having deliberated upon the detailed
information just received from the West Coast of South
America with reference to the ciliestionsin dispute between
the Governments of Spain and Chili, views with surprise
and indignation the course pursued by the Spanish Admiral
in the blockade of the Republic, by which the interests of
the neutrals there greatly suffer, are of opinion that a me-
morial embracing the sense of the meeting be forwarded to
the British Government, and that a deputation consisting
of the chairman, the members for tho borough, and other
gentlemen do present it."

The following was the memorial :
" To the Right Hon. the Earl of Clarendon.

" The memorial of the undersigned merchants, ship-
owners, and others engaged in trade and commerce with the
West Coast of South America showeth that your memo-
rialists are deeply interested in the commerce of the seve-
ral Republics on the West Coast of South America, espe-
cially with the Republics of Chili and Peru ; and that the
interests of your memorialists have already suffered mate-
rially from the hostile measures inflicted by Spain on the
Republic of Peru in the present year, and now view with
great alarm the attitude assumed by Spain in reference to
the Republic of Chili, under which, as appears by the ad-
vices to hand, the ports of Chili have been blockaded by the
the Spanish squadron, and ulterior measures threatened.
The blockade of the ports of Chili has already inflicted con-
siderable loss on your memorialists, and must further mili-
tate most seriously against their interests. That without
entering into the merits of the difficulty between the Go-
vernment of Spain and the Republic of Chili, your memo-
rialists have reason to believe that the grievances are
founded on most trivial grounds, and hostilities have been
hastily and most unexpectedly adopted by Spain, after all
the points in dispute had been amicably arranged through
the Spanish Minister then resident at Santiago. That under
the circumstances above described, your memorialists are na-
turally most desirous to know what measures the Govern-
ment are prepared to adopt for the protection of British in-
terests, now so seriously prejudiced by the action of the
Spanish Government on the West Coast of South America.
May it, therefore, please your lordship to give such infor-
mation to your memorialists as may enable them to forward
suitable instructions to their respective correspondents in
the Pacific, and further to adopt such prompt and energetic
means for the protection of British property as may seem
best to your Lordship." (Here follow the signatures.)
Mr. CHARLES HOLLAND moved the adoption of
the resolution and of the memorial.

Mr. STOKES seconded the motion, which was car-
ried unanimously. •
A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the
proceedings.