Ministry of the Interior—Second Department.
The enclosed authentic copy of a note from the minister of the United States of America at this court having made known that the English hark Agrippina contemplates carrying to the Azores a cargo of munitions of war for supplying confederate cruisers, which are to go there to receive them, in order to continue their depredations on the commerce of the United States in the same manner as the aforesaid bark did before, in 1862, in the Bay of Angra; and it being further made known that the parties implicated in these nefarious undertakings propose to establish a regular depot in one or more of the smaller ports in the said islands, with the view of organizing therein armed expeditions hostile to the aforesaid United States, his Majesty the King desires that a knowledge of the above be communicated to the civil governor of the district of Angra de Heroismo, and ordains that, taking into his most serious consideration the contents of the above-mentioned note, and the reclamation therein contained, the said civil governor shall adopt all such measures as may be necessary to completely put a stop to the aforesaid designs and intentions on the part of the enemies of said United States; and for this purpose he is to co-operate with the directors of custom-houses and captains of ports within the district under his charge, so as to act with a mutual accord, to which effect orders, with strong recommendation, have been sent to them through the respective departments. An immediate account is to be rendered, through this department, of all that may be done or put into practice on this subject, with the understanding that his Majesty makes the civil governor and his subordinates responsible for any neglect or omission in such a grave and delicate affair.
True copy:
True copy: