Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Harvey to Mr. Hunter

No. 342]

Legation of the United States, Lisbon, May 18, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to communicate herewith the copy of a note from the Count d’Avila, with the proceedings of the chamber of deputies, in regard to the reply which I addressed to that distinguished body on the 10th instant in answer to their expression of sympathy on the occasion of President Lincoln’s death.

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

JAMES E. HARVEY.

Hon. Willaim Hunter, Acting Secretary of State.

[Untitled]

Department of State for Foreign Affairs, May 16, 1865.

I have the honor of handing yon for your information the enclosed copy of a despatch which the secretary of the chamber of deputies, now dissolved, addressed to me under date of 13th instant, and likewise of the motion which accompanied the same, made by one of its members, and unanimously voted, on the occasion of communicating to the said chamber the note which you addressed to the house on the 10th instant.

I avail of this opportunity to renew the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

COUNT D’AVILA.

James E. Harvey, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Bureau of the Secretary of the Chamber of Deputies.

Most Excellent Sir: I have the honor of transmitting to your excellency, for your information, the enclosed copy of the motion presented in this chamber by one of its members, and voted unanimously on the occasion of communicating to the house the note from the legation of the United States of America at this court, in reply to the manifestation of feeling and regret addressed to said legation on the atrocious assassination of the President of that republic.

May God preserve your excellency.

Palace of the Cortes, May the 13th, 1865.

JOAQUIN XAVIER PINTO DA SILVA, Deputy and Secretary.

His Excellency the Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

True copy:

EMILIO ACHILLES MONTEVERDE.

Department of State for Foreign Affairs, May 16, 1865.

I move that it be recorded in the minutes that the chamber has heard with every demonstration of true respect and profound sympathy the note which has just been read at the table, and addressed to the house by the minister resident of the United States of America at this court.

I further move that the government be informed of this deliberation, in order to communicate the same to the distinguished minister, Jacintho Augusto de Sant’Anna e Vasconcellos.

Correct copy:

POSIDONIO A. P. PICALUGA.

Bureau of the Secretary of the Chamber of Deputies, May 13, 1865.

True copy:

EMILIO ACHILLES MONTEVERDE.

Department of State for Foreign Affairs, May 16, 1865.