The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-14


comprehensibity and irreverenco, not to say
blasphemy. We must close by recommending it,
with all it's faults, to readers, who, il they do
not find it satisfying the great works Of their
own tongue, will at least enjoy its refreshing
trast to the worn-out horrors OF Miss BRADDoN or
the latter-day plstitudes of CHARLES READE and
HENRY KINGSLEY.
MIR. JOHN RUSSELL furnishes the work, both in
the original and in translation, under the title
"Toilers Of the Sea-"
THE BOMBARDMENT OF VALPARAIsO.
From La Cronica, Spanish journal published
in New York, we translate the following communi-
cation from the Admiral who bombarded Yalpa-
raiso to the Spanish Minister at Washington:
Headquarters Of her Catholic Majesty's squad
ron in the Pacific, on board the Numancia, in the
Bay Of Valparaiso, the Cd day Of April, 1866 To
her Majestys Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary at wsshington
In order that your Excellency may furm an
exact idea of the occurrences of the last fortnight
have the honor Of placing before you summary
of the most recent events, regrettng that want Ut
time should prevent my sending copies OF the de-
| spatches have addressed to her Majestys Gov
On the 18th of last month was invited to dine
by the American Commodore Rodgers on board
his ship During dinner The commodore f e1
difficulty with Chile, and suggested that, were.
clothed with full powers, the attainment OF such
an object might, in his opinion, be accomplished
Upon being Informed that had the necessary
| powers, he said he would immediately communi-
| cate with his Minister, and see If their united
| efforts could not secure peace:
A few days after received the visit OF the Com
modore and of Gen. Fitzpatrick Both seemed
| animated by the best wishes, and invited me to
private and confidential character, might perhaps
result in tho termination of the war.
Upon my acceptance OF the proposal, the Anne
rcan Minister said to snas Ts .hs NJ
Foreign Affairs of the Republic had notice OF the
| step that WAS now being taken, and that he {thc
I as Te % as bs oer
| very much interested in arriving at the object
| they had in view.
| The Commodore made some remarks to show
| the Inconvenience which he thought existed for
Spain in the prolongation Of thie war, and giving
| me to understand that an unforeseen obstacle
| would be met,with If the bombar6ment OF Valpa-
raiso were attempted, he proposed plan for an
| ARRANGEMENT which he considered equally honor
able for beth belhgerents. In accordance with
this plan, thero should be o cessation OF hostIi-
tiee my credentials presented, and new investi-
| CATION made of the different grievances against
Chile. AS an earnest of peace, there should first
| the following manner the flags OF Spain and
| Chile hoisted at the mast-heads OF the English
and Amerteen flag. chips, should be salnted by the
guns Of tho two squadrons, and In this salute a
| Chilean fort and the Spanish squadron should
ioin in such manner that, with the noise and the
smoke, it should never be known by whom the
/ hrst gun hail been fired.
AS your Excellency may readily suppose, re-
jected this arrangement, acknowledging, however,
| the good intention that had suggested it, and
| stating that the Instructions OF my Government
| were 80 positive that notwithstanding any diff
oulties might have to overcome, and should &c
| to the bottom of the Pacific in tha attempt,
| must have from Chile the satisfaction which was
due to us. Moved nevertheless by N sincere de-
| Sire for reconciliation, would take upon mysei
the immenee responsibility OF not requiring an!
other satisfaction than that contained in the ar
| rangement proposed by England and france, and
| accepted by Spain, to which would only add tht
restitution OF the Covadonga, with its flags, arm.
nnd crew, in return for the prizes and prisoners
had in my power. II at the same time gave notice
| that il, by eight O'Clock on the morning. Of the
9th, shoelld not have received an answer, &C
cepting the terms OF this arrangement, woult
| address a communication to the diplomasic corps
fixing day, at the expiration OF which would
open fire ON Valparaiso.
Both the minister and the commodore found the
! terms honorable. Gen. Fitzpatrick said ho wouit
exert himself to his Utmost to have them accept
might appear, it was bis predecessor, Mr.. Nelson
| who had most strenuonsly opposed any concession
II to Spain, 80 much 30 that unpleasant words hat
II already passed between them. On the following
/ day Gen. Kip atrick left for sa.tiaro not without
i hope, and the promise, given OF his own accord
that he would let me know the result of his nego
4 tiation.
i On the 9th, before eight O'Clock On the morn
| iag, General fitzpatrick again came .on board o
my ship, with Commodore Rodgers. His efforts
/ had been in vain. The reply OF the CHILEAN Cox
| possible to assemble and consult the accrediteG
! Representatives of the allied republics. In con
i sequence Of this reply stated to the Minister o
] the United States that, as had previously in
| formed him, would within en- hour send him the
promised communication. The commodore ther
told me more clearly what the unforeseen obstacle
| would be, to which he had alluded in our former
interview. He said that probably he would not be
j able to remain passive spectator Of the destruc
,tioE of defenceess city; that perhsps he might
thoughs the commander OF the naval forces o.
Great Britain would join him for the same pur
pose. repli. d that should be extremely cory
TO collide with him after the warmfnterest he had
| consideration would not be sufficient to prevent
| my executing the orders OF my government. The
| commodore approved OF my resolution, and said
| to me, on taking leave, that whatever might be
| the consequences OF the conflict, I must ever be
assured OF his friendship and esteem; the same
One hour after this interview sent my conmu
nication to the American Minister In order thai
| through him it might reach the other members OF
the diplomatic corps at Santiago.
On the goth March received the visit or Admi.
! rhl Denman, who told me that he had been
i Informed by the American Commodore Of my in.
tefviews with the United States Minister; that the
laws Of war did not authorize the destruction oil
defenceless cities, inhabited almost exclusively BY
foreigners; that 1t would be impossible for him ia
be q passive spectator Of such o deed; that be
would have to adopt measures, the extent o
Which he could not then define, and that he begged
me not to commence operations until the arri
| Val OF the mails from Europe. My apswer wat
that to the question Of ri ht, the decision be
longed to my Government; but that as an officer
should obey my orders; and that, whatever
might be the attitude assumed by the naval forcet
then III the bay; however reluctant might be (
30 IL, -k.nv- I.,