New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-21
The Valparaiso liombardment,
SPANISH VERSION or THE AFFAIR-pIsrATcH
FROM ADMIRAL NUNEz

4 Aasty,s Envov Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo
tentisry at Washington
Eroe9eae,yIn order that your eXcellen ny I my
form an exact Idea of the occurrences OIL the last
Fortnight Ihaye the honor Of placing before you |
4 summary of the most recent events, regretung |
that want of time should prevent my sendng |
copies Of the dispatches nave addressed 10 her
majesty government,
On the 18th of last month was invited to dine
by the American Commodore Rogers, on board of
his flagship. During dinner the commodore ex-
pressed ardent wishes for the termination of our
difficulty with Chilli, 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
power, he said that he would Immediately commu
nieate with his minister, and seeH 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 join
them in conference which, though Of private
and confidential character might, perhaps, result
in the termination Of the war.
Upon nv acceptance of the proposal, the Amer
lean minister told me that, although the conference
was strictly confidential. the minister OF foreigu
affairs of the Republic had notice Of the step has
was now being taken, and that he (the American
minister{ as wen as the commodore, who hadtgken
the initiative in the matter, were very much inter-
ested in arriving at the object they had In view;
The commodore made some remarks to show tne
Inconvenience which he thought existed for SPAN
ia the prolongation of this war; and giving me TO
understand that an unforeseen obstacle would pc
met with if the bombardment Of ialparaiso were
attempted, he proposed a plan for an arFshge-
ment which he considered equally honorable Tor
both belligerents. In accordance WIN lis plan
there should be cessation OF hostlilues, my ele
dentials presented, and new lnVestgauoh AIiaue
of the different grievances against Chilli AS an
earnest of peace, there should hrst be reclpro-
cal salute Of one-and-twenty guns in the following
manner: The flags of Spain and Chill, holsted at
the mast heads of the English and American Hag-
ships, should be saluted by the guns of the two
suuadrons and 10 this salute CHILEAN fort and the
Spanish squadron should join, in such manner that,
with The noise and the smoke, it should never be
known by whom the first gun had been fired.
AS your excellency may readily suppose, l re-
jected this arrangement, acknowledging, however,
the good intention that had suggested it. and sta
ting Tint the instructions of my government were
SO positive that Notwithstanding any difficulties
might have to overcome, and should | go to the
bottom of the Pacific in the attempt must have
from Chill the satisfaction which was due to us.
Moved, nevertheless. by sincere desire for re-
cancellation I would take upon myself the I'M
nense responsibility of not requiring any other sat
isfaetion than that contained in the arrangement
proposed by England and France, and accepted
4bV Spain to which would only add the restitu-
ton of the Coyadonga, with its hags, arms and
crew. in return for the prizes and prisoners had
in my power | at the same time gave notice that
if by o'clock on the morning Of the eth should
not have received an answer accepting the terms
iHeAN
cation to the diplomatic corps fixing delay. at
the expiration of which would open ire on al
paraiso. aAm
Both the minister and the commodore found the
terms honorable Gen. fitzpatrick said he would
exert himself to his utmost to have them accepted
BIZ Chill adding, that however strange it might
appear, it was his predecessor Mr.. Nelson) who
had most strenuously opposed any concession TO
Spain 50 much So that unpleasant words had
already passed between them. On the following
day Gen. Fitzpatrick left for Santiago, not without
hope, and the promise, given Of his own accord,
that he would let me know the result OF the nego-
tiation
On the 9th, before o clock in the morning
Gen. Fitzpatrick again came on board my ship
with Commodore Rodgers. His efforts had been
in vain. The reply Of the Gillian govern
ment was that in SO short a time it Yves
not possible to assemble and consult the &C
credited representatives Of the allied republics
4 In consequence of this reply, stated to the min
lister Of the United States, that, as had pre-
| yiously informed him, would, within an hour
4 send him the promised communication The commo
dore then told me more clearly what the unforseeI
obstacle would be, to which he alluded in our for
mef interview He said that probably he would
/ not be able to remain passive spectator of the
destruction of defenseless city that perhaps he
might be compelled to oppose it by force and
that he thought the commander of the naval forces
of Great Britain would join him for the purpose
replied that should be extremely sorry to collide
with him after the warm interest he had shown fer
Spain and her agents but that such considera-
tons would not be sufficient to prevent my execut-
ing the orders ofmy government. The commodore
approved my resolution, and said to me, on taking
leave, that whatever might be the consequence of
the conflict, must ever be assured of his friend
ship and esteem the same words were repeated
by Gen. Fitzpatrick.
One hour after this interview sent my COM
munieation to the American minister, in order
that through him, it might reach the other mem
bers of the diplomatic corps at Santiago
On the 10Th March ] received the visit of Admiral
Denman, who told me that he had been informed
| by the American commodore of my interviews
with the United States minister that the laws OF
war did not authorize the destruction Of defense
less cities, inhabited almost exclusively by foreign
ers that it would be impossible for him to be
a passive spectator of such deed that he wonii
have to adopt measures the extent of which hi
4 could not then define, and that he begged me no
to commence operations until the arrival of tn
z mail from Europe. My answer was that, as to tn
question of right, the decision belonged to my gov
ernment; but that, as an officer, / should obey m
orders and that whatever might be the attitud
assumed by the forces then In the bay--howeVe
reluctant might be to come to such an e2
tremity- formidable those forces migl
4 be, no earthly consideration should detaln m
/ from the discharge of my duty. The admir-
4 grasped my hand and left me with the sam
assurances of friendship and esteem, as in the cas-
of the American commodore.
On the same day, the goth was once NOR
Z visited by the American commodore, accompanie
d BY the secretary Of legation, with the appareT
purpose Of handing the reply to my commune,
ton. On doing SO, he said that he had intended t
oppose the bombardment of Valparaiso by force
because he was at the time convinced that Spai
conld not lawfully do SO, and that Chill was in th
right; but that subsequently he had arrived at til
conclusion tlatright moderation, and dignity wer
on the side Of Spain wherefore, he not only shoul
i not oppose anything, but that his ships woul
{ move out Of the way ats o'clock in the morning {
! the 3lst.
d He insisted, nevertheless in proposing anothe
: plan, which was that should write a NANTES
! stating that since nothing could prevent the bon
bardment, ! would desist and spare Valparaiso
The commodore thought that such an act of ger
J. erosity would be appreciated by the goFernmeI
1 Of Ghil, which would then declare its readiness
! accede to my demands.
My reply was, that although by so doing Iwoul
incur the heaviest responsibility still for the SAX
Il ofpeaee, would accept the proposition provide
a member OF the Gillian government would guai
antee to me personally, in the presence ct til
American Minister, that my proceeding would b
n appreciated and reeiproeated. Ihe proposal
the Commodore was nevertheless rudely reiecte
by Chill, and another one advanced III its stead 4
ridiculous that it has only served as laughin
stock to the English and American commanders
The idea was, that sort OF international dut
should be enacted and this in terms indecorou
! and even insulting. 1t being assumed that dare
\ not seek them at Chloe, they proposed that "
1 should meet with equal forces, the deterninatio
4 and equalization of which should be left to Con
mod0re Rodgers. The result of the duel was 10 /
the termination of the war; and to this no othS
| declaration whatsoever was added. The propose