Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-05-03

ment.
patches relative to the bombardment o
j Valparaiso, have been receivedat the Navy
! Department:
i u. S. STEAMSHIP VANDERBILT,
| VALPARAISO, March 81, 1866.
Il have the honor to announce thai
upon my arrival in this port with the
4 squadron under my command, called upon
l the English Admiral, who had informed me
that, he intended to prevent any sudden
bombardment, and would only suffer it after
ample notice. 10 this made no reply, but
| having considered the matter, sought the
4 occasion, the next day, to say that would
| join him in preventing any sudden bonn
bardment, and that would also 90 as much
1 further as he chose. l assured him
| that the Monadnock could take care
1 Of the Numancia; that from target expert
| ments l had witnessed | was absolutely
| certain that In not more than thirty min
ntes the Monadnock herself entirely unas-
sisted, 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 of the
Spaniards.
In thus Offering to go beyond the letter
vi lUSJIuCJlOIlS W ODSeTNe Il SJTlCJ neu-
trality, acted upon the suppOsition that
neutrality among nations did not pre-
clude all well-directed efforts to keep the
peace among them that peaceable citizen
must not be inert while another is suffering
from the unlawful violence of third per-
son, but may justly interfere with force to
prevent an in1raction of the laws murder
for example; so a nation witnessing the like
disturbance among her sister nations, need
not rest absolutely impassive, but with sim
cere neutrality might interpOse with force,
If necessary, to keep the operations of bel
ligerents at least within the law for the pro-
lection of neutral persons and neutral prop
erty.
am aware that action in the premises
on our part involves great responsibility,
but 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 extensive than ours,
and more convenient to the coast of Spain
butas he had more to suffer in consequence
of rupture with Spain, he had also more
to preserve by interference; that his inter-
ests in Chilli rise to thousands, where ours
were only hundreds. The English Admiral
said at first that he would 90 With me, for
plainly declared that l would not take q
step without him. l said that l had no in
tention of becoming 'cat's paw to draw
European chestnuts out of the fire, and
then have the power | served laughing al
my singed paws while they enjoyed the
fruits of my temerity." The English Ad-
miral finally determined to throw the re-
sponsbility upon the English Minister
who did not choose to act in the premises.
English corporation having failed, nC
separate action on my part was taken, az
none had been proposed. have used sucf
measures as could to bring about an ac'
commOdation, but without success.
This morning at 9 o'clock the Spanish
Admiral opened upon the town with sho
and shell, directing his fire principally
against public buildings and stOrehouses
After continuous bombardment of two
hours and fifty minutes, the firing ceaseC
and the Spanish Admiral withdrew hiS yes
sells. Four of the stone buildings connected
with the custom house were entirely de
strOyed, with their contents. Other ad
Joining buildings, used for the same pur
poses, were very much injured. The valu,
of merchandise destroyed in these wa
vaguely estimated at some twenty-five mil
lion dollars. The Government house, tn,
Exchange and the railroad buildings wer
damaged to a considerable extent. Nat
urally and inevitably, parts of the cit!
which the Spanish Admiral declared he die
not intend to injure, received many of hi
missiles. Several blocks of private build
ings were destroyed by fire, and churche
1 and converts and hospitals were not eX
empt from injury. Few lives were lost
not more than eight or ten.
inclose herewith copies of the letter
addressed to me by the foreign residents o
| Valparaiso, representing the interests o
nearly all the nationalities of Christendom
bearing an official character, with cOpI
] of my answer; also copies of the manifesto
and letter of the Spanish Admiral.
4 When was assured that the Englisl
! Admiral was determined not to resist
bombardment, l called upon him and sale
| that as did not choose to drift into col
lisiOn where | had no purpose TO collide,
should move my vessels to get out of thu
Spanish way. This intention | communi
Gated verbally to the Spanish Admiral.
| Thus thrown by circumstances into po
stion in which it became necessary to TAXI
some part, felt natural anxiety to know
whether the one | took meets with the ap
probation of the Government. In my
whole course have conferred freely will
our minister, General Fitzpatrick, and de
sired the benefit of his advice and assist
ance. In all have done or offered to do
he has been consulted and he has fully con
cured. If his name has not been mention
ed before, it was becatise did not wish tt
break the continuity of my narrative, and
not that | am without a strong sense of OBJ
legations for his cooperation.
| have the honor to be, sir,
| Your obedient servant,
| JOHN RODGERS,
.. Commodore.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of tn,