No. 63.
Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish.
United
States Legation,
(Petropolis,) Rio de
Janeiro, May 16, 1872.
(Received Jane 19.)
No. 51.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the
3d May the iegisla-’ tive chambers were opened.
The occasion being that of the Emperor’s first appearance in public since
his welcome home, was made one of great show and ceremony. There was a
full attendance of the imperial family, of all the great bodies of
state, the diplomatic corps, &c.
It was expected by some, since the Emperor had, during his voyage abroad,
shown dislike to ceremony and mere formal etiquette, and had already,
since his return, declared his intention to abolish the ceremony of
giving his hand to be kissed* by the
Brazilians presented at his court, that some of the cumbrous ceremonial
and theatrical display heretofore used would be dispensed with, and that
the Emperor might appear in his military dress as the “Primeiro voluntario da patria,” (in the war with Paraguay.) He
came, however, in even more than usual state, wearing a white satin
dress, his cape of plumes, a long velvet mantle and crown, and bearing
his scepter, even in his coach, and, with all forms observed, read the
speech, a translation of which is annexed, marked No. 1.
It will be seen in this speech that no particular thing is recommended,
and no forthcoming measure is announced. The ministry, in fact, are
quite uncertain of their continuance in power, and seem to prefer that
their intentions should be left in equal uncertainty. There are still
absent quite a number of deputies, and until these arrive and their
views can be learned nothing will be attempted.
The state of the Brazilian finances is announced as very satisfactory,
and there will be made, in accordance with a previous law, a reduction
in duties corresponding somewhat to the appreciation of the paper
currency.
Emigration is attracting attention, and while the government sincerely
desires the introduction of free laborers, to provide in time for the
promised abolition of slavery, nothing is yet really done to remove
those obstacles, or diminish those disabilities or native prejudices,
which cause not only German but Italian and Spanish emigrants also to
refuse to stop in Rio, but continue their voyage to the republics of the
river Platte. There, notwithstanding greater political uncertainty,
there is really a larger liberty of action, fewer obstructions to the
acquiring of land by emigrants, as well as a climate whose necessities
compel labor.
I have, &c,
[Page 100]
[Inclosure No. 1 in No. 51.]
Speech of the Emperor.
[Translation.]
the general assembly.
On the 3d. of May, at 1 p.m., the Emperor opened the session with the
following speech:
August and most worthy representatives of the
nation:
It is with the liveliest pleasure I have come to open the session of
the general assembly.
In this anniversary, always a source of rejoicing for us all, the
opportunity is now afforded to me of thanking you for the consent
you gave to my absence from the empire during some months, called
for by the health of my dear spouse.
Thanks to God I effected the voyage and have returned to our beloved
country with the greatest felicity, after meeting, among all the
peoples I visited, a benevolent and polite reception, of which I
will preserve the most grateful remembrance.
I congratulate you on the tranquillity enjoyed by the empire under
the regency of ray beloved daughter, and on the important labors
concluded by your last session. These facts have given the justest
idea of the national character and of the solidity of the
institutions which rule us.
Some of our, settlements have suffered from the rigor and
irregularities of the last season, but in general the sanitary state
is satisfactory.
The good relations of the empire with the other powers continue; and
the government endeavors to draw them still closer, being ever
influenced by sentiments of justice and mutual consideration.
The negotiation by the allies in common, though greatly desired by
us, not having been possible, we separately celebrated the definite
agreements of peace with the republic of Paraguay.
In this negotiation, to which, the preliminary agreement of the
allies served as bases, the engagements entered into by the treaty
of May, 1, 1865, were respected.
Those agreements have awakened suspicions and reclamations on the
part of the Argentine government, but I expect that justice will
shortly be done to the good faith of the Brazilian government, and
that the bonds of friendship, so valuable to the two states, will
continue unalterable.
In consequence of the legislative measures enacted last year,
electoral reform and those of the national guard and recruitment
recommend themselves preferentially to your solicitude.
Purity of elections is the esse tial basis of our form of government,
and the more genuine the popular vote, the more are reflected in the
bosom of the national representation those interests and opinions
which, from their importance, should influence the direction of
public affairs.
The law cannot prevent all the abuses with which passions disturb and
vitiate the expression of the national will; but it is needful to
profit by the lessons of experience, to prevent the effect of fraud
and violences.
The national guard institution is perverted by the service to which
it is now subjected under ordinary circumstances, and the heavy
burden not only prejudices the citizen in his industrial labor, but
even embarrasses the free exercise of his political right.
Recruiting, by the system now in force, lends itself to equal if not
greater vexations, at the same time impeding the acquirement, by the
army, of that degree of instruction and discipline which so greatly
augments its moral force and gives it greater luster.
The public revenue has resumed its progressive movement, thanks to
the fertility of our soil and to the aids you have furnished to
commerce and national production.
The revenues of the last financial year exceeded the expenditure, and
it is already recognized that the current financial year will also
show a surplus.
We may, therefore, while still following the counsels of a well
understood economy, attend with greater benefits to the education of
the people, and also to agriculture and other branches of our
industry, without neglecting to provide for the state of our
circulating medium and for the various needs of the financial
administration.
The acquisition of useful laborers, which has been a constant object
of our cares, will now, since the reform enacted by the law of
September 28th, daily require more efficacious provisions.
The government is watchful to dissipate the fears which that
important reform might awaken, and I rejoice to declare to you that
the agricultural slave-owners themselves have contributed to the
better execution of the law.
Our means of communication are having notable development, but even
this progress is too limited for the connection of the different
points of so vast a territory, and
[Page 101]
to utilize its immense richness. The unceasing
prosecution of such an endeavor is a duty which the government does
not forget, and one which it will fulfill in accordance with the
funds you may grant for the service. These are expenditures which
are largely compensated for by the increase of the revenue and by
other social advantages of great importance.
August and most worthy representatives of the nation:
The moral and material advance which we have obtained in the short
period of our political emancipation honors the Brazilian people
when the difficulties with which we have struggled are sufficiently
appreciated. Trusting in the protection of divine Providence, let us
rely on our efforts to insure the most prosperous of futures to
Brazil.
The session is open.
