No. 57.
Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish.
(Petropolis,) Rio de Janeiro, March 21, 1872. (Received April 22.)
Sir: The treaties with Paraguay, mentioned in my No. 38, negotiated by the Baron Cotegipe, who has just returned from Asuncion, have not yet been ratified by the princess regent. These treaties have been much discussed in the newspapers, and bitterly denounced by the opposition. This party (composed of extreme conservatives and all liberals) has just triumphed in an important senatorial election, in the province [Page 93] of Rio de Janeiro, as well as for provincial deputies; so that it is probable the ministry will await the return and decision of the Emperor before proceeding to a ratification which might cost them still further defeat.
The liberal party (which has not at present a single representative among the deputies) retired from the last general election, (1867,) to await the division they thought inevitable among the conservatives on the emancipation question, and is now marshaling its forces for the general election in January next, for aid in which they look to the discussions and developments pd still further divisions among the conservatives which must occur during the approaching session.
The Emperor and Empress are expected to reach Rio on the 30th of March, and great preparations are made to receive them, as well as at Bahia and Pernambuco, at which points the (British) royal mail-steamer touches on her way. The Brazilian people will heartily welcome their Majesties, not only because of their real attachment to and respect for them, but because also the national pride has been highly gratified by the reception which their personal qualities as well as their station have secured for them abroad.
Count Eberhard von Solms Sonnewalde, the newly-appointed minister resident of the German Empire, (who was secretary at Paris for a long time, and chargé at the commencement of the Franco-German war,) was received here on the 13th of March. It is said he is instructed to procure the modification of certain Brazilian laws in relation to civil marriage, &c, and the fulfillment of certain government obligations toward German colonists in Brazil.
I regret to have to announce also the death here, (from the effects of the climate,) on the 4th of March, of Mr. Nicholas de Bodisco, first secretary of the Russian legation. He was amiable and very popular; quite young, (twenty-eight,) and was a native of Washington, (Georgetown,) where his father was Russian minister for many years.
The season has been one of protracted drought, heat, and sickness, and has been marked by the death of a large number of prominent Brazilians, such as the Viscount de Itaborahy, formerly president of the council, Commendador Lage, and others of note in the administration of the government.
I am, &c,