No. 67.
Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish.
(Petropolis) Rio de Janeiro, June 24, 1872. (Received July 22.)
Sir: With the exception of the incident of the Argentine note, mentioned in my No. 59, nothing has occurred for the last month to vary the usual routine during the vacation of the chambers.
The members of the party in power (moderate conservatives) are busily engaged in preparing for the success which they hope to attain, through the influence of the ministry, in the August (18) elections. The deputies are not chosen by the direct vote of the people, but are named by electoral colleges, which may be said to be appointed, in fact, by the presidents of provinces, though nominally elected by the people, Of these last but a small number ever vote; and the ministry, as usual, has directed circulars to the presidents of provinces in which they complain of the action of the late chamber of deputies for their dissatisfaction with the administration, and call upon the presidents to secure, “by the free voice of the people,” a return of other members, in a manner and style which strictly imitates the circulars in France, under the late empire, addressed by the ministry to the prefects of deparments.
I have been informed by some members of the liberal party, many of whom are in reality republicans, (though they cannot now openly call themselves so,) that they have no hope of any success in the coming election and that the ministry will have everything their own way. It is doubtful, indeed, if in any place, even in Pernambuco, they make any serious effort to return their candidates. The chambers meet in December.
The coffee-crop will come forward after 1st July, and as this main reliance of the country is greater this year than the last, financial and commercial affairs are hopeful.
The Russian fleet, on board which the Grand Duke Alexis is serving, left this harbor for the Gape of Good Hope on the 9th June, after having given on board the Admiral a handsome entertainment to the court, to which the heads of legation were invited.
Rear-Admiral William Rogers Taylor has taken command of the South Atlantic fleet, and the flag-ship “Lancaster “is still in this harbor, the Ticonderoga having left on a cruise two or three days since.
I am, &c,