The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-13
PERU.

Southern Ports to be Free-Railway Matters
Reduction of the Army-President Balta and
the Diplomatic Corps-The Peruvian Moni-
tors.
LIMA. August %, 1868.
Congress is seriously engaged In discussing pro-
1ect to declare all the Southern ports free for the inn
portation Of provisions, clothing and the necessa-
ries Of life, for the next eighteen months and the
bill will probably be adopted.
The rumors recently prevalent in Lima concerning
the abrogation Of Mr. Meiggs' railway contract by
Congress have been completely dispeled by letter
from President Balta to that gentleman. The Presi
dent after thanking Mr.. Meiggs in the name Of the
nation for the gift Of $4,000 made to the country
in her hour of need, remarks that although he had
not the satisfaction to inaugurate the labors this
important work, he hoped to witness their active
prosecution and rapid conclusion. AZ the existence
of the railway and the facilities afforded by 1t would
60 far towards ensuring the rebuilding Of the city
of Arequipa. The works have not been discontinued.
and Mr. Meiggs with his engineers, are confident
OF the completion OF the undertaking In less than two
years from this date.
duce the army to fifteen hundred men and
to commence the prcctice Of strict economy in all
not he adopted but the second viii, whether passed
not be watchfuly observed by the present Minis
ter Of Finance Mr. Garcia Calderon, who together
with the other members OF the Cabinet, has given
for his high Office.
The Ministers have labored day and night since
the late terrible news reached us and the fruits OF
the labors are very satisfactorily apparent.
On the 18th the diplomatic and consular corps resi-
dent In Lima paid the official visit OF cOngrauaton
to Colonel Balta the constitutional President Of the
republic The speeches made on that occasion by
the Dean Of the diplomatic corps and the
President were very much. Of the usual style,
but both were particularly explicit in the
portion relating to the interests and rights of foreign
ers residing in this republic Colonel Hata sgnified
his intention and desire to cause their rights TO be
vigorously protected but also expressed his opinion
regarding the necessity OF strict adherence to the
laws and regulations Of the country on the part OF
the persons mentioned General Hovey, the Minister
OF the United States here, has recognized the con-
stitutonaty Of the present government, and as
sisted, the Spaniards say, At the ceremony.
In fact, the actual administration has been
chosen by the unanimous voice OF the
President have already made 1t very popular with
the masses. IL Ia understood that Colonel Hata ac
kn0wledges the justice OF the claims for damages
suffered by American citizens at the hands OF his
own troops during the struggle In the North In
January last.
The government, OF course, only thinks now OF
aeviatng the necessities OF its unfortunate people
and politics are forgotten for the time. BY next
mail fuller details will be forwarded; we are still
In the dark about many OF the occurrences.
Your correspondent has learned that Colonel Will
liam d. Farrand, who recently arrived here from
New York on some very important business with
this government respecting the Peruvian monitors
now detained I'm the United States has had several
interviews with the members OF Colonel Balta's
Cabinet and that his desires are In q fair way OF
realization.