The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-05-10
ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

ne IOllOWln9 ulSpatcneS relative TO
the bombardment Of Valparaiso, have
been received at the Navy Depart
mont:
"U. S. STEAMSHIP VANDERBILT, !
"VALPARAIso, March 81, '66. I
"SIR-I have the honor to announce
that upon my arrival at this port with
the squadron under my command, l
called upon the English Admiral, who
had informed me that he intended to
prevent any sudden bombardment, and
would only suffer it after ample no.
tice. To this I made no reply, but
having considered the matter, sought
the occasion the next day to say that
l would join him in preventing any
sudden bombardment, and thatI would
also 60 as much farther as he chose
| assured him that the Monadnock
could take care of tho Numancia; that
from target experiments l had witness
ed, 1 was absolutely certain that, in not
less than thirty seconds, and not more
than thirty minutes, the Monadnock
herself, entirely unassisted, would
leave only the mast-heads of the Nj
mancia above water,an6 that our wood
en- vessels, English and American,
could look out for the wooden vessels
of the Spaniards. In thus Offering to
go beyond the letter ofmy instruction
to observe strict neutrality, | acted
upon the supposition that neutrality
among the nations did not preclude all
well directed efforts to keep the peace
among them: that as peaceable citi-
zen Is not obliged to stand by inert
while another is suffering from the un,
lawful violence of q third person, but
may justly interfere with force to pre-
vent an infraction of laws-a murder
for example-so nation. witnessing O
like disturbance among her sister ma.
tions, need not rest absolutely impass
i've, but, with sincere neutrality, might
interpose with force, if necessary, to
keep the operations of beligerants at
least within the law for the protection
of neutral persons and neutral proper
ty. | am aware that action in the
premises on our part involves great re.
sponsibility, but | had reached tho
conclusion that, with England as an
ally, it was my duty to aid them.
IL told the English Admiral what ]
have written, and frankly added that
his commerce was more extensive thar
ours, and more convenient to the coas
Of Spain, but as. he had moro to suffer
in consequence of rupture with
Spain, he had also more to preserve by
interference, that his interests in Chi
Ii rose to thousands, while ours were
only hundreds. The English Admira
said at first that he would go with me
for l plainly declared that | would moi
take step without him. | said that
l had no intention intention of becom
ing cats paw to draw European chest
nuts out of the fire, and then have the
Power | served laughing at my singec
paws, while they enjoyed the fruits o
my temerity The English Admira
finally determined to throw the res
possibility upon the English Minister
who did not choose to act in the prem
ises English corporation having
failed, no separate action on my par
was taken, as none had been proposed
| have used such measures rs l.couIC
to bring about an accommodation, bu
without success.
This morning at 9 o'clock th'
Spanish Admiral opened upon the tow
with shot and shell, directing his fir
principally against the public build
ings and store-houses. After u con
tinuous bombardmcnt of two hours anc
fifty minutes, the firing ceased, anC
the Spanish Admiral withdrew hi.
vessels. Four of the store building
connected with the custom. house wer,
entirely destroyed, with their contents
Other adjoining buildings, used for th'
same psrposc, were very much injur
ed, The valuc of merchandise de
stroyed in these is vaguely estimated
at some $22, 100000. The Govcrnmen
House, the Exchange and the railroac
buildings were damaged TO conside
rable extent, Naturally and inevita
bly,, parts Of tho city which the Span
ish Admiral declared he did not in
tend to injure, received many of hi
missiles. Several blocks of privat
buildings were destroyed by fire, ant
churches and converts and hospital
were not exempt from injury FEY
lives were lost-not more than eigh
or ten. N
/ enclose herewith copies of tho let
ters addressed to me by the foreig
residents of Valparaiso, representa-
the interests of nearly all the national
tiles of Christendom, bearing an officia
character, with copy of my answer
also copies ofthe manifesto and letter
of the Spanish Admiral. ..
When was assured that the Eng
lish Admiral was determined not t
resist bombardment, | called upo
him and said, that as | did not choos
to drift into a collision where / had II
' purpose to collide, l should move m
vessels to get out of tho Spanish way
This intention | communicated vert
ally to the Spanish Admiral. Thu
placed by circumstances into a pos
tion in which it became necessary
take some part, | felt natural ankle
ty to know whether tho one l too
meets with the approbationofthe Gov
ernment, In my whole course | hav
conferred freely with our Ministe
Gen. Fitzpatrick, and desired the benz
fit Of his advice and assistance. In a
1 have done, or offered to do, he ha
| d ~. \ 4 n L -