Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-04
Bombardment of valparaiso-Communica'
ton from Com. Rogers Thereon.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-The following
dispatch in relation to the bombardment
of Valparaiso, has been received at the
Navy Department:
UyITFp STATES STEAMSHIP VANDERBILT,
VALPARAISO, March 81, 1866.
SIR-I have the honor to announce
that upon my arrival in this port, with
the squadron under my command,
called upon the English Admiral, who
had informed me that he intended to pre-
vent any sudden bombardment and would
only suffer it after ample notice. To this
made no reply, but having considered
the matter, sought the occasion the next
day TO say that would join them in pre-
venting any sudden bombardment, and
that would go as much further as he
chose
| assured him that the Monadnoek
could take care of the Numancia that
from target experiments had witnessed
/ 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
mastheads of the Numancia above water,
and that our wooden vessels, English
and American, could look out for the
wooden vessels ofthe Spaniards. In thus
offering to go beyond the letter OF my
instructions to observe a strict neutrality,
Iacted on the supposition that neutral
ity among the nations did not preclude
all well-directed efforts to keep the peace
among them that, as O peaceable cltl-
zen is not obliged to stand by inert while
another is suffering from the unlawful
! violence of third person, but may justly
interfere with force TO prevent an intrac-
ton of the laws, a murder for example;
so a nation, witnessing the like disturb
ance among her sister nations, need not
rest absolutely impassiye, but with SIN
cere neutrality might interpose with
force, if necessary, 10 keep the opera
tons of belligerents at least within the
law for the protection of neutral persons
and neutral property.
am aware that action in the premises
on our part involves great responsibility,
hut had reached the conclusion, that
with England as an ally, it was my duty
now to aid them. | told the English
Admiral what have written, and frankly
added that his commerce was more ex-
tensiye than ours and more convenient
TO the coast Of Spain; but as he had
more 10 suffer in consequence OF a, rup-
ture with Spain, he had also more 10
preserve BY interference; that his int
rest in Chill rose thousands, while ours
were only hundreds. The English Adj
miral said, at first, that he would go with
me, for / plainly declared that l would
not take step without him. Issid had
no intention Of becoming a cats paw to
draw European chestnuts out OF the lire,
and then have the power serve laughing
at my singed paw, while they enjoyed
the fruits of my temerity.
The English Admiral finally determ-
ined 10 throw the responsibility on the
English Minister, who did not chose to
act in the premises English cO-opera-
ton having failed, no definite action on
nv mart was taken, as none had been
proposed. / have used such measures as
/ could to bring about an accommoda-
ton. but without success This morning
at 9 o clock the Spanish Admiral opened
upon the town with shot and she'll, d.
recting his FIRE principally against pub
lie buildings and houses. Alter a con-
tinuous bombardment Of hours and %
minutes the firing ceased, and the Span
ISL Admiral withdrew his vessels. -Four
Of the stone bindings cplected with
the custon-house we're eHfhely destroyed,
With thsir contents, otAer 80 ioinipE build
ings, used for the same purpose, we're
very much injured The value OF mer-
chandise destroyed in these ~as vaguely
estimated at so, 000, 600 The Govern
ment House, the Exchange and the rail-
road buildings were damaged 70 a con
siderable extent
Naturally and inevitably, parts Of the
city which the Spanish Admiral declared
he did not intend 70 injure received
many Of his missiles Several blocks Of