The visconde has been presented by his province in a triple list for senator. The Emperor will choose him first, that he may afterwards be called to the ministry, for it is understood that upon the death of the Marquez de Herval he declared he would not accept a place as minister, as it was dependent upon the popular vote, and on the imperial choice for senator. In case the visconde refuses, it is probable that Senator Paranagua, an intimate friend of Mr. Saraiva, will resume the duties of the war department. Such is the composition of the new ministry. It brings to the service of the empire much ability and influence, but it must at once undertake difficult tasks. I have the honor to be, &c., HENRY W. HILLIARD. No. 79. No. 166.] Mr. White to Mr. Evarts. UNITED STATES LEGATION, Rio de Janeiro, June 5, 1880. (Received July 31.) SIR: I see by the newspapers lately received from the United States that the withdrawal of the line of steamships now performing a regular service between New York and Brazil is contemplated; and, in view of the disastrous effect on our trade and commerce that such a step would have, it seems to me proper to invite special attention to the matter. Our foreign trade is neither a personal nor sectional question; it is a cardinal factor in the welfare and prosperity of our whole country, and it is for the government, in my humble judgment, to foster and protect it. If, in order to promote our export interest in South America, it be found necessary to give pecuniary aid to maintain regular direct steamship service, the aid should not be withheld. That a regular service between the United States and Brazil is essential in the interests of our export trade, no one can question. That a regular service cannot be self-supporting for some years is a fact known to all who are familiar with the sharp, keen opposition it must encounter from rival lines, whose sole aim is to force a regular service to retire in order that they may enjoy the benefits of high rates and an exclusive monopoly of the freights. Our merchant marine should augment more rapidly, and our flag more frequently be seen in this quarter of the globe. Our shipping interest should be fostered, and everything possible done to promote its growth. John Quincy Adams regarded commerce and navigation as the true "means of communication with the rest of the human family," and the tremendous impetus given to our exports during the past three years, and the great part they have played in the accomplishment and maintenance of the resumption of specie payment, are practical evidences of the truth of the statement made over half a century ago. The trade of Brazil is of much value to our country, and every effort should be made to obtain it; and it is greatly to be desired that a regu lar service between the two countries be maintained, that our exporters may not be at a disadvantage in competing for the trade. If rapid freight facilities be permanent, I venture to say that our export trade in this quarter will increase 100 per cent. in ten years. I have, &c., JOHN C. WHITE. No. 168.] No. 80. Mr. White to Mr. Evarts. UNITED STATES LEGATION, Rio Janeiro, July 24, 1880. (Received August 28.) SIR: The minister of agriculture has recommended to the chamber of deputies that the imperial government grant 100,000 milreis ($50,000) per annum to a line of steamships performing a regular service between Canada, the United States, and the ports of Pernambuco, Maranhão, Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It appears that Canada has voted a subsidy of £10,000 in the interest of such a service. You have already been informed of the action of the chambers in regard to the Roach line of steamships, so called. They insisted on the steamers calling at Maranhão, which steamships of the tonnage employed cannot do. The minister of agriculture has refused to longer meet the requirements of the original contract, and refuses to pay the subsidy until the two chambers shall have again passed upon the contract as originally drawn, and have given a favorable decision. He makes no recommendation in favor of the original contract, but in the case of the projected Canadian line he not only recommends the subsidy but also includes the amount in his budget. I am inclined to believe that, notwithstanding his silence, the original contract will now be approved by the two chambers. SIR: Referring to instruction No. 111 of the 4th instant touching correspondence between the minister of France in Washington and this Department, relative to the application to the Emperor of Brazil to name a third commissioner under the American-French convention of January 15, 1880, I have to state that on the 9th instant a telegram was received from Mr. Outrey which reads as follows: My government adheres to the combination suggested in your letter of August 4. The telegram proposed by you will be forwarded next Thursday, the 12th of this month, to Mr. Noel at Rio. I will write to you to-morrow. The minister's note of the 10th instant was the same in substance as the telegram above quoted. On the 11th instant you were telegraphed as follows: The claims convention of January last between the United States and France having been ratified by these governments, and the ratifications exchanged on June 23d last, you will confer with the French minister in Brazil as to identic notes to be simultaneously presented, requesting that his majesty will name third commissioner to be ready to act with the other commissioners as early as possible. Am assured Mr. Noel will be similarly instructed. In view of the possibility that you might not have reached Rio at that date, Mr. White was instructed by a telegraphic message of the 16th instant to act at once, as chargé, in carrying out the instruction of the 11th instant. I am, &c., CHAS. DEVENS, Acting Secretary. No. 82. Mr. White to Mr. Evarts. No. 175.] UNITED STATES, LEGATION OF THE Rio de Janeiro, August 21, 1880. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have complied with the telegraphic instructions (see inclosures Nos. 1, 2, 3) in reference to the submitting of a note identic in form with one to be submitted by Mr. Noel, the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of France, requesting His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil to nominate, at his earliest pleasure, the third member of the commission to sit at Washington in accordance with the terms of the treaty recently ratified by the Governments of the United States of America and France. I inclose a copy of my note to his excellency the minister of foreign affairs, which in terms corresponds with Mr. Noel's note, which he presented at the same time that I presented mine. We received from Baron de Cabo Frio, under secretary of state for foreign affairs, who received us in the absence of the minister of foreign affairs, the assurance that the subject of our two notes would receive immedate attention. When notified of His Majesty's selection I shall cable the name to you. I am of opinion that Baron de Arinos, minister to Brussels will be appointed. I have, &c., JOHN C. WHITE. [Inclosure 1 in No. 175.-Telegram.] HILLIARD, Minister, Rio de Janeiro: WASHINGTON. The claims convention of January last between the United States and France having been ratified by these governments, and the ratifications exchanged on June 23 last, you will confer with French minister in Brazil as to identic notes, to be simultaneously presented, requesting that His Majesty will name third commissioner to be ready to act with the other commissioners as early as possible. Am assured Mr. Noel will be similarly instructed. EVARTS, Secretary. [Inclosure 2 in No. 175.-Telegram.] EVARTS, Secretary, Washington : Cable concerning convention with France received. Foreign office made inquiry relating thereto. Hilliard expected September 1. Shall matter attend his arrival? WHITE, Chargé. [Inclosure 3 in No. 175.-Telegram.] WHITE, Chargé, Rio, Brazil: Act at once as chargé. HAY, Acting Secretary. [Inclosure 4 in No. 175.] Mr. White to Senhor de Souza. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, MR. MINISTER: A telegram from my government announces the ratification on the 23d of June last of the convention signed on the 15th of January, between the United States of America and France, for a mixed commission to be held at Washington, to consider the demands for indemnity made by citizens of the two countries, respecting injurious actions claimed to be accomplished under certain circumstances specified in the convention ratified. According to the terms of the convention, the Government of the United States of America names one of the commissioners; the Government of France names one member; and His Majesty Dom Pedro II the third member. His Majesty having responded favorably to the request made-to name the third member of the commission-my government charges me to solicit His Majesty to deign to make the nomination, and hopes that it will be his pleasure to make it as early as possible, as the meeting of the mixed commission must be held within six months after the exchange of the ratifications. I have the honor, Mr. Minister, to request you to transmit to His Majesty the Emperor the wish I make, and to inform me of His Majesty's decision at His Majesty's earliest pleasure. Accept, &c. His Excellency Mr. PEDRO LUIS R. DE Souza, No. 83. Mr. White to Mr. Evarts. LEGATION OF THE Rio de Janeiro, August 26, 1880. JOHN C. WHITE, Chargé d'Affairs ad interim. UNITED STATES, No. 176.] SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the note received from his excellency, Mr. Pedro Luis P. de Souza, minister and secretary of state for foreign affairs; also a translated copy of same, in reply to my note of the 18th instant, respecting the appointment by His Majesty the Emperor, of the third commissioner of the commission, to sit at Washington under the treaty between the United States of America and France, recently ratified, and ratifications exchanged by both countries. Believing it to be of importance that you should have early information of the decision of his majesty, who has selected his envoy at Brussels, Baron de Arinos, I this day sent you the following cablegram: EVARTS, Secretary, Washington: Baron Arinos, minister to Brussels, third commissioner, to arrive at Washington, October. WHITE, Chargé. I have, &,, JOHN C. WHITE, [Inclosure in No. 176.-Translation.] Senhor de Souza to Mr. White. FOLFION OFFICE, RIO DE JANEIRO, Mr. John C. White, chargé d'affaires ad interim of the United States of America, was pleased to communicate to me by his note of the 18th instant that on the 23d of June there were exchanged the ratifications of the convention concluded on the 15th of January between France and those states for the judgment, by means of a mixed com mission, according to the conditions established by the conventions, of the claims arising from losses suffered by citizens of the two countries. The commission being composed of three members, and one of them having to be nominated by the Emperor, who has already accepted the charge, Mr. Chargé d'Affaires asks at the same time that this nomination be made with promptitude in order that the commission may be able to meet in Washington at the time stipulated. In response it behooves me to communicate to Mr. Chargé d'Affaires that the choice of his majesty has fallen on Baron de Arinos, his envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary in Brussels, and that this gentleman will be at Washington in the month of October. I avail myself, &c., PEDRO LUIS P. DE SOUZA. CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE BRAZILIAN LEGATION IN WASHINGTON. No. 84. Mr. Borges to Mr. Evarts. LEGATION OF BRAZIL IN THE UNITED STATES, New York, June 12, 1879. MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: I had the honor duly to receive the note which your excellency did me the honor to address to me on the 3rd of March last, inclosing a letter addressed to your excellency by the chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate in reference to a law for the punishment of the crime of counterfeiting the paper currency of foreign governments in the United States. Your excellency's note having been laid before the imperial government, the latter was gratified to learn that the Department of State had thus complied with the request of this legation, and it hopes that the matter will again be brought before Congress at its next session, as is indicated in the aforesaid note of the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I avail myself of this occasion to reiterate to your excellency the assurance of my highest esteem and consideration. His Excellency W. M. EVARTS, A. P. DE CARVALHO BORGES. Secretary of State of the United States, &c., &c., &c. No. 85. Mr. Evarts to Mr. Torreão de Barros. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Borges' note of the 12th instant, expressing the hope that the subject of the provision by United States law for punishing the crime of counterfeiting the paper currency of foreign governments may be brought to the attention of Congress at its next sesssion, and to say, in reply, that I shall have the honor to again address the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary with reference to the matter. Accept sir, &c., WM. M. EVARTS. |