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Loyal Americans in Chili: official correspondence.


The Rev. Mr. Bellows to Mr. Seward.

United States Sanitary Commission, New-York Agency, No. 823 Broadway, New-York, March 13, 1863.
Hon. Win. H. Seward, Secretary of State:
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of March eleventh, with an inclosure of your check for three thousand six hundred and fifty eight dollars and eighty-four cents. I have passed the money to the Treasurer of the Sanitary Commission, G. T. Strong, who will send you a formal receipt.

In thanking, through you, our countrymen in Chili for their generous thoughtfulness for our and their soldiers who may fall sick or be wounded in this greatest battle of humanity, it may be for their satisfaction to know that, contrary to all ordinary cases, devotion to our Government, Union, and cause has been proportioned to the distance of the unselfish position of our countrymen — those farthest from the seat of war being nearest in their sympathy and beneficence. The Pacific coast has given three times as much to the National Sanitary Commission as the Atlantic coast; and its most distant region--Washington Territory--more in proportion to its inhabitants than any other. Our countrymen in Vancouver's Island, Honolulu, and the Sandwich Islands, in England, France, Germany, and India, have shown that no seas, however wide, could shut their ears to the groans of their suffering patriots in the field.

Our countrymen in Chili may have the satisfaction of knowing that their contribution mingles in our treasury with the contributions of loving countrymen, from wherever an American has carried his country's enterprise, or followed her flag; and that from the resources thus accumulated succor and consolation will flow impartially to the national soldier, whether in Louisiana or North-Carolina, Virginia or Kentucky, Mississippi or Maryland. If he be anywhere under our flag, there the National Sanitary Commission will follow and find him.

I have the honor to be, gratefully, your obedient servant,

Henry W. Bellows, President.

Mr. Nelson to Mr. Seward.

Legation of the United States, Santiago de Cuba, Feb. 1, 1868.
Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington:
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a bill of exchange, dated January thirty-first, 1863, drawn by Messrs. Alsop [14] & Co., of Valparaiso, upon Messrs. H. G. Enthom & Co., London, England, payable to my order, and indorsed by me, for the sum of four. hundred and ninetyseven pounds sterling, which was purchased by the amount subscribed by loyal Americans in Chili, in aid of the sick and wounded soldiers of the Union army. The amount subscribed was two thousand six hundred and thirty-six dollars. I also inclose a list of the names of the subscribers and the amount paid by each. You will please appropriate the proceeds to the object indicated in such manner as you may deem most advisable.

This contribution, though not large, will, it is hoped, litigate the suffering of the brave soldiers who have perilled their lives on the battle-field in behalf of our beloved country; while, at the same time, it has given to our citizens residing in Chili an opportunity of manifesting their patriotism in this hour of our utmost need in a substantial and unequivocal mode.

Other remittances for the same purpose will be made from time to time until the rebellion is crushed.

I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,


Mr. Seward to Mr. Nelson.

department of State, Washington, March 9, 1863.
Sir: I have read your despatch of the first ultimo, accompanied by a list of loyal citizens residing in Chili, who have subscribed to a fund for the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers of the Union army, and by a bill of exchange for four hundred and ninetyseven pounds sterling, remitting that fund for the purpose for which it was destined.

You will be pleased to inform the subscribers that their proceeding will be viewed at home with great sensibility, as doing honor alike to their benevolence and their patriotism. Care will be taken that their bounty shall be so disposed as to reach the most needy and worthy of those for whom it has been offered.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Wm. H. Seward. to Thomas W. Nelson, Esq., etc., etc., Chili.

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