Office of the Historian

No. 15.
Mr. Kirk to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
Buenos Ayres, May 12, 1871. (Received June 20.)
No. 85.]

Sir: For the last month, by order of the national government, the custom-house has been closed and all business suspended, in consequence of the fearful ravages of the yellow fever. For the number of inhabitants, I question whether history records such terrible mortality. Little short of 20,000 have fallen victims to the scourge.

To-day the city presents a deserted, desolate appearance. All faces indicate anxiety and sorrow. It is impossible to portray the true condition of affairs.

Within the last ten days the death-roll has diminished very much, and it is thought ten days more will terminate its fearful visitation. Many of our citizens have been sick, some in great destitution; as far as known ten have died. I expect I will have to pay some bills for medicines, supplies, &c, which had to be furnished to our destitute people. Some of the foreign ministers published a notice, (like the inclosed, marked A,) but I did not feel authorized to do so, and will only pay what the promptings of common humanity compel me, and charge the same to the contingent fund of this legation, which I hope will be satisfactory to the Department. The Brazilian people, and also those of Uruguay, have acted nobly and generously in sending substantial relief to the people of this city.

Intelligence has just been received that the Argentine government has negotiated a loan in London for $30,000,000; the loan was effected 88½ on the dollar, interest 6 per cent.

I have, &c,

R. C. KIRK.
[Inclosure A.]

Notice to British subjects.

Her Britannic Majesty’s Legation. [May 12, 1871]

Her Britannic Majesty’s charge d’affaires, being fully aware of the deep sympathy which will be felt by Her Majesty’s government and the British public for the sad ravages caused to the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres by the ruling epidemic, and the concern which the sufferings of British subjects will occasion to them, is desirous of at once conveying to his countrymen of all denominations, without distinction, as an evidence of that interest, the assurance of his readiness, in conjunction with her Majesty’s consul, to render every assistance within the scope of their official authority toward relieving all cases of distress of a deserving character which may be brought under their notice; and he hereby invites all those poor and afflicted persons who have been deprived of the means of support, to make personal application to Her Majesty’s [Page 29] legation or to the British consulate, accompanying their applications with such recommendations as they are able to obtain from their respective clergymen or from any respectable resident.