The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1866-05-11
The Valparaiso Bombardment.

Washington, Nav 2.
The following dispatches relative to the
bombardment of Valparaiso have been re-
ceived by the Navy Department
y. 5. STEAMSHIP NANDERBILr
Valparaiso, March 81. 1866 {
SIR.-I have the honor to announce
that upon my arrival al this port with the
squadron under my command, | called
upon the EGG sh admiral, who had IL
formed NE lha. be intended TO prevent
any sudden bombardment, and would only
suffer it after ample notice. To this |
made no reply, but having considered the
matter, sought the occasion to say the next
day that would join him in preventing
any sudden bonbatdment, and that
would also 60 as much farther as he chose.
| assured HIM that tie Monarlnock coulu
take care of the Numancia that from
target experiments had Witnessed, as
absolutely certain that in no less than 80
seconds, and no more than 80 minutes,
the Mon adnock herself, entirely unassis ted
would have only the mast heads of the
Numancia above water, and that our
wooden vessels, English and American,
could look out for the wooden vessels of
the Spaniards. In thus offering to 90 be.
y9nd the letter of instruction 10 observe
strict neutrality, | acted upor the sup
position that neutrality among The nations,
did not preclude all we'll directed Efforts
to keep the peace among them ; that as
peaceable citizen is not obliged 10 stand
by uer, while another is suffering from
the unlawful violence o. a third person,
but may justly interfere with force to pre-
vent an infraction of the laws-a murder
for example-so Il nation witnessing the
like disturbance among her sister nations
need not rest absolutely impassive, but
with sincere neutrality might interpose
with force if necessary to keep the oper-
atoms 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, but had reached
the conclusion that with Eng land AS an
ally it was my duty now to aid them. |
told the English Admiral what | have
written, and frankly added that his COM
merce was more extensive than ours and
more convenient to the coast OF Spain
but as he had more to suffer in conse-
1uence of rupture with Spain, and as
he had also more 10 preserve that his
interests 10 Chill rose to thousands while
ours was only hundreds The English
Admiral said At first that he would 90
with me, for | plainly told him that |
would no, take step withou. him.
said that | had no intention of becoming
| a catspaw to draw European chestnuts out
Of the fire and then have the power |
served laughing at my signed paws. while
they enjoyed the fruits of my temelify
The English Admiral finally determined
! to throw the responsibility upon the Eng
Ish Minister, who did not choose to act
in the premises. English co operation hav
ing failed, no seperA;e action on ms part
was taken, as none was proposed.
have used such measures as could 20
bring about an accommodation hut with.
out success. This morning, at o'clock,
| the Spanish AdmIra! opened upon The
town with shot AMI shell, directing his
fire principally against public buildings
and s,orehouses. After continuous
bombardmeut of two hours and fifty min
utes. the firing ceased, and the Spanish
Admiral Withdrew his vessels. Four OF
the stone buildings connected with the
custom house were entirely destroyed.
with their contents. Other adj lining
buildings used for the same purpose, were
much il iured. The value Of merchandise
destroyed in these was vaguely estimated
at some SO 100000 The government
house, exchange, and railroad buildings
were damaged to considerable extent.
Several blocks of private buildings were
! DESTROYED bv fire, and churches, converts
and hospitals were not exempt from irlnr'.
! Few lives were lost not more than eight
or ten. | enclose herewith the copies OF
the letters addressed to me By the foreign
residents Of Val paraiso, representing the
interests of nearly all the na'ionaliies Of
| chris.endom, bearing an official character
with copy Of my answer; also copies Of The
manifesto and letter of the Span'h Admiral,
| When | was assured that the English
Admiral was determined not to resist a
ho,nbardment, ] called upon him, and
said that as | did not choose to diff into
collision where had no purpose to col
Tide | should move out Of the Spanish
way. This intention communicated yer
bally to the Spanish Admiral. Thrus,
by circumstances into position in which
it became necessary to take some part.
! felt natural anxiety to know whether
i the ore took meets with the anproba.
ton of the Government in nv whole
course. I have conferred freely with oul
Minister, Gen. Fitzpatrick, and desired the
benefit of his advice and assistance in al
! have done or offered to do. He has
been consulted, and he has fully concur
red. IF his name has not been mentioned
before, it was because I did not wish tc
break the continuity of INV narrative, and
not because | am without a strong sense
of obligation for his cooperation. l EavH
the honor to be, sir.
Your obedent servant,
john RODGERS,
Commodore.
I