The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-08
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHInaroN, November l6, 1876

WA6HlHGTON, NOVeulO6F lOs loOI
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the Uni
ted States, has been directed by the President tc
address the following communication to bis Ex
cellency Mr.. Joaquin Y de Osma, Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Of Peru:
Mr. de Osma is aware that on the 2lst of August
last, in q communication Of the late Secretary Of
State TO Mr.. j. Y. de Osma, charge d'affaires Of
Peru, it stated that the Government OF the
ton to all facts tending to show possession or oscu-
pancy of the Lobos Islands by Peru. At the same
time the Peruvian charge d'affaires was informed
that the President thought it most advisable, under
tons on the subject should be sent to the charge
d'affaires of the United States ut Lima, and that
proper orders should be given to the naval force Of
the United States in that quarter to prevent COLI
In pursuance Of this intimaton. the order Of tn Q
oath Of August was issued to the commander OF
the 'Raritan," revokng that OF the 9th o. June,
and instructing him that vessels OF the United
States were not to be protected In any attempt to
take guano from the Lobos Islands by force.
On the 30th of August instructions were de
spatched to Mr.. Clay, charge d'affaires OF the
United States at Lima, directing him to commu
nicate to this Department all the information on
the subject possessed or which could be procured
by him; and special messenger was sent to Peru
to aid in the fuflment Of those directions.
Before these dispatches reached Mr.. Clay he
had in part accomplished their object by the trans
mission of documents and statements throwing
important light upon the history Of the Islands
and, at different times since, valuable Information
upon the subject has been received from Mr. Clay.
Shortly after his arrival near this Governmen as
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentia.
ry OF Peru, Mr.. Joaquin Y. de Osma was apprized
by the late Acting Secretary OF State that the In.
formation thus received had been duy weighed by
the President, and had disposed him to think ia
vorably of the title of Peru to the sovereignty OF
the LobOs Islands s'..
On the 7th II October last Mr.. de Osma addressed
note to the Secretary of State. replying at length
,,,;t To M a ter n
the 2lst OF August. The receipt Of this note was
duly acknowledged by the Acting Secretary Of
Stale, who at the same time invited the favorable
attention OF the government OF Peru to the case Of
the United States vessels which had been chartered
for the Lobos lslands under the expectation that
they would be protected by this Government. This
subject has since been discussed, both in writing
and in personal interviews, between MIR. de Osma
Further communications have been received
within few days from Mr.. Clay, in which the title
of Peru is discussed at length. Mr.. Clay also
from o his e s Mr.. cirado. the Peruvian
Minister for Foreign Affairs. At the close OF thii
note, Mr.. Cirado informs Mr.. Clay that the Peru
Wan government will, on its own account, freight
the ships of the United States which had beer
chartered for the Lobos Islands, of which public
notice has been given by Mr.. Clay to the Ameri.
can vessels in the Pacific. q. ae.
The undersigned has much satisfaction in re-
tracing the history Of these events, both sides
United States and Peru to replace the relations o
the two governments, threatened for q moment, or
the most amicabe footing. and to prevent, as ial
as possible, any injury to individuals from the
temporary misconception. .... .
The undersigned has now the pleasure furthc
| to say that the President having given to the ar
Ruments and facts set forth in the note Of MIR. d.
Osma of the 7th of October the attention ~ which
| they are 80 justly entitled, and having weighed
| with the information contained in the de
spatches Of the charge d'sffaircs of the Unitet
States at Lima, and in the notes Of his excelency
the Peruvian Minister OF Foreign Affaires, accom-
| panying them, has dismissed all doubt from hi
| mind as to the title of Peru TO the Lobos Islands
He perceives no longer any reason 10 question he
| lawful sovereignty over those islands, and n
| makes this avowal with the greater readiness II
consequence OF the unintentional injustice done /,
Peru, under transient want Of information az I.
| the facts OF the case.
The undersigned has accordingly been directed
| by the President to withdraw, unreservedly, al
the objections taken by the late Secretary of State
| in his communications with Mr.. j. Y de OsIna, I,
the sovereignty of Peru the Lobos Islands, ant
| the other guano islands on the coast Of Peru, nnt
| in her possessonj and to assure Mr. dc Osmn, fo
the infor nation of his government, that protec
ton or countenance will be afforded by the Unitet
States to any proceedings on the part OF her citi
gems inconsistent with this acknowledgement,
| The undersigned requests Mr.. de Osma to acccp
the assurance Of his high consideration.
EDWARD EVERETT.
Senior Dos JOAQUIN DE osMA, &C., &C., &C.,
...."r... b.. .. Washington.