Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-05-02
SECOND EDITION,
O,CLOCH p. m.
a O'CLOCK r. m.
00VERNmENf SECURlfnsA.
WARRINGTON, May 1s6S
Jay Cooke & 90. furnian the following quo
ATOMS Of 0overnment securities:
Highly Important from Valparaiso.
The Official Dispatches Of Com. Rodgers


The Official Dispatches Of Com. Rodgers.
The English Admiral refused to Join him
in preventing the Bomba rdme nt-Lo,s of
Life-Destruction Of S22, OOO, 900 worth
of merchandise kilpatrick's
position,
We publish in full the following important
letter just received at the Navy Department
from Commodore Rodgers, in relation to the
bombardment of Valparaiso, Chilli, by the
Spanish fleet on March 31st. 1t will be found
10 contain information of general interest in
relation to the bombardment and the attend.
ing circumstances:
I. =. =. VANDERBILT, VALPARAISO. March
81. Is66.-SIr l have the honor to announce
that upon my arrival in this port with the
squadron under my command, l called upon
the English Admiral. who Informed me that
he intended TO prevent any sudden lombard
ment, and would only suffer II after ample
notice. To this i made no reply, hut having
considered the matter, sought occasion the
next day TO say that L would join him in pre-
venting any ''sudden bombardment,' and that
would also go as much farther as he chose.
1 assured him that the Monadnock could take
care OF the Numancia; that from target expert
ments had witnessed, was absolutely GER
tain that in not less than thirty seconds, and
not more than thirty minutes, the Mouadnock
herself entirely unscathed. would leave only
the mast heads of the Numancia above water:
and that our wooden vessels. English aud
American, could lookout for the wooden yes
sells Of the Spaniard.
In thus Offering TO 60 beyond the letter of nv
instructions TO observe s strict neutrality. 1
acted upon the supposition that neutrality
al. ong the nations did not preclude all we'll
directed efforts TO keep the peace among them:
that as peaceabie citizen is not obliged to
stand by inert while another is suffering from
the unlawful violence OF a third person. but
may Justly interfere with force to prevent an
rntr;lction Of the law. 4 murder for example
so nation witnessing the like disturbance
among ner SISTER nations need not rest abso-
luttly impassive. but with SINGER neutrality
mig hi interfere. with force if necessary TO keep
the operations OF belligerents ut least within
the law for the protection OF neutral persons
ana neutral property. considered that Spain
had left her colonies nnCpr {: stringent colo
NAL policy and religious Intolerance In the
course OF time. encouraged by the more liberal
laws OF state OF freedom, foreigners had been
induced 10 settl" IN the country. and 10 en-
bark their capital IN commerce and other in
dustrIal pursuits. Towns had sprung an
along The coast. railroads had been built. and
other material interests developed. ideas As
We'll as manufactures. had been introduced
the wealth and Intelligence mean while re-
naming largely in possession OF the foreigners
Al last Chill had reached 4 goal IN hufuau
progress, marked by thu establishment OF re-
ngIouS liberation.
And now Spain, on a point of etiquette,
rather than from any great political end as /
believe, purposes 10 burn the property and de.
stroN the Iowhs along the seacuast Is far a
she sees fit.
Is it right that she should exercise her
power OF destruction. unrestraIned along the
shores OF this continent. The mode OF warfare
which Spain proposes il terrible but il seems
TO me such as will provoke luminosity rather
than cocrce national will, aud. therefore, war
not directed 70 ITS legitimate end; conseq ueutiy
that such warfare might be resisted.
am aware that action in the premises, on
our part, involves great res pOns ibilities But
1 had reached the conclusion that with Eng.
gland as an ally, it was my duty not 10 shun
them told the English Admiral what have
here written. and frankly added that his COM
meTce was more extensive than ours, and more.
convenient To the coast of Spain: but a he
had more 10 suffer IN consequence of rupture
win Spain. he had. alse more to preserve by
Interference: his interests in Chilli rose TO rbon
sand where ours were only hundreds
The English Admiral said at first that he
would go with me: for plainly declared that
i would not take 4 step without him I said
that had no intention OF becoming a catS-paw
10 draw European Chestnuts out of the fire
ana then nave the Powers 1sprSed laughing al
my singed paws, while they njoyed the ruits
OF my temerIty.
The English Admiral fully determined ~
throw tie responsibility upon the English
minister who did not choose TO act in The
premises. English cooperation having failed
no separate action on my part was taken as
none had been proposed.
nave used such measures az could. TO
bfing about an accommodation, but without
success.
This morning at O'clock, the Spanish Ad-
mlral opened upon the town with shot and
she'll, directing his fire princI,SaIly against
pubic buildings and storehouses After a
continuous bombardmeut of tNyu hours and
fifty minutes the firing ceased and tbe Ad
lniral withdrew his vessels. Four OF the sture
buildings connected with The custom bouse
were entirely destroyed. with their contents
Other adjoining buildings. used Tor the same
purpose. very much mi urpd. The yalue of
mere handise destroyed in these was vaguely
estimated at twenty two millions, oil dollars
(S.S2.tNL.WyD.)
Bolsa. % Exchange, and railroad buildings
were damaged TO i considerable extent Nat
urally and inevitably parts of the CITY which
the Spanish Admiral declared he did not in
tend 10 inJure, received ;uany or his missiles
Several blocks OF private buildings were de-
StToyed by fire, and churches and ,,on,ents
ana hospitals were not exempt from injury.
Few lives were lost. not more than eight or ten
enclose. herewith, copies of the letters ad
dressed TO me by the foreign residents of Val
paraiso. representing the interests OF nearly
all the nationalities Of ChrIstendom. most of
them bearing an official character with a COPY
Of my answer also copies of the manifesto and
letter of the Spanish Admiral.
When l was assured that the English Ad
mirai was determined not to resist a bomharJ-
ment, l called upon him and said that as he
did not intend should not do so. and that rs
did not choose 10 drit5 INTO collision, where
had no purpose TO collide. should move my
vessels 10 get out OF the Spanish way. Thi.
intention i communicated yerbalu tn tbe
Spanish Admiral.
Thrust BY circumstance, i'm to a poSition :,
which il became necessary 10 take Soma nart
L feel natural anxiety 10 know whether the
one L took meets the appreciation OF the Gov
eTEmpnt.
Ia my whole course 1 have conferred free,,
with our Minister, General Fitzpatrick, and
desired the benefit Of his advice and a.,
ance. In all that L have done or offered Ia do
he has been consulted ana he has fully con,
CURED.
II bis name has not been mentioned before, il
WAS not 10 break the continuity of my nara
tive, and not because 1 am without a strong
sense OF obl2ation for his cooperation
1 nave the honor 10 be. Sir, your obedient
scrE"nt. joan RoDGERs. Commodore
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Sec'y Of the NAVY.
PARDONS