No. 28.
Mr. Shannon to Mr. Fish.
United States
Legation,
Rio de
Janeiro, October 23, 1872.
(Received Nov. 20.)
No. 82.]
Sir: Notwithstanding the rumors very generally
entertained to the contrary, and to which I referred in my No. 79, it now
seems more than probable that the special mission of General Mitre,
Argentine envoy to this court, will have an early and successful issue. In
this connection, I have the honor to call your attention to the accompanying
notes (to
[Page 86]
which I have added, for
convenience’ sake, marginal translations) recently exchanged between the
Brazilian minister of foreign affairs and the Argentine minister of foreign
affairs and General Mitre. (Appendix A.) These notes were published
simultaneously here and in Buenos Ayres about a fortnight since.
It will be observed, by an examination of the dates, that General Mitre, up
to the beginning of the present month, has occupied himself exclusively with
the task of removing, so far as it was possible for him to do so, the bad
impression which had been created here by the extraordinary tone of the
celebrated Tejedor note of the 27th of April last, and
of which Mr. Partridge gave an
account in his No. 59. The first note of the series from the Argentine
minister of foreign affairs, to the Brazilian minister of foreign affairs,
dated September 25, 1872, is the apology for that extraordinary tone: and,
together with the response of the Brazilian minister of foreign affairs,
(second of the series,) closes this branch of the subject.
In the third of the series, dated October 3, 1872, General Mitre gives a
succinct account of his mission from date of his arrival at Rio de Janeiro,
on the 6th of July last, to date of writing; congratulates himself upon the
satisfactory solution of the “question of form;” and concludes by stating
that he shall henceforward occupy himself with the chief object of his
mission, requesting, at the same time, that a plenipotentiary may be
designated with whom he can negotiate. This “chief object” he also declares
to be, “treating fully all pending questions until a perfect agreement is
reached.” The Brazilian minister of foreign affairs, in the second of the
series of notes, had already defined it to be the most perfect understanding
or best agreement between the two governments upon the rights and
obligations of the treaty of alliance of the 1st of May, 1865.”
In the fourth of the series, dated October 9, 1872, the Brazilian minister of
foreign affairs, responding to General Mitre, designates the Viscount of Sáo
Vicénte as the Brazilian plenipotentiary to negotiate with General
Mitre.
The basis and point of departure of this negotiation, we are told, is to be
the agreement arranged between Baron de Cotegipe and
the Argentine minister of foreign affairs, and drawn up by the former.
Appendix B to this dispatch, being the translation of an extract from the
letter of Baron de Cotegipe, addressed to the Brazilian
minister of foreign affairs on the 25th of June last, and giving an account
of his negotiations at Assumption and Buenos Ayres, will show exactly what
that “agreement” was.
In conclusion, it may be well to state that assurances have been given me by
members of the Argentine legation that they confidently expect to complete
the work of their mission so as to leave here some time during the month of
December next.
I am, &c.,
[Appendix A.—Translation.]
[Extract from the Republica of Rio de Janeiro
October 7, 1872.]
Note from the Argentine government to the imperial
government.
Department
of Foreign Affairs of the Argentine Republic,
Buenos Ayres, September 25, 1872.
Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to receive
the notes of your excellency of the 20th and 21st of June, and the
memorandum, which accompanied them.
[Page 87]
In the note of June 20, your excellency said that notwithstanding the
first “impression created by certain observations, which might seem
international offenses, considering that the” Argentine government had
declared in the note of 27th of April that it had used the greatest
frankness, and that therefore its protests of pacific and friendly
sentiments should have the same character, the imperial government
resolved to answer it, influenced by those declarations, and especially
by those which were most solemnly expressed by His Majesty the Emperor
of Brazil, and His Excellency the President of the Argentine Republic,
in their recent addresses to their respective nations.”
The imperial government does justice to the republic in giving to the
language and views of the note of the 27th of April the only
interpretation compatible with the frank protests of pacific and
friendly sentiments which are contained in it, and which it is
gratifying to repeat on this occasion, since there was no intention to
offend the amour propre and dignity of Brazil,
but rather a desire to maintain the inviolability of the treaty of
alliance, in which is involved the public faith of three nations.
The Argentine government, rendering equal justice to that of the empire,
interpreted in the same spirit certain propositions, contained in the
above-mentioned note of the 20th of June, which might have a less
friendly meaning, (if not offensive, at least, would seem contrary to
the duties and obligations of the alliance,) and renders on her part due
honor to the protests of friendship and the assurances which have been
given to maintain the compromises of the treaty of the 1st of May.
The Argentine government therefore believes that, having made the
requisite declarations on both sides, there is no convenience in
prolonging a discussion which might postpone a cordial understanding
such as ought to subsist between allies who have fought side by side for
five years to secure peace in these regions, all of them (allies) being
equally interested in maintaining those compromises to the end that
there may be a fruitful and lasting peace.
This consideration, and that of having resolved before the reception of
the above-mentioned notes to send to the imperial government a minister
of high character and armed with full powers to adjust pending
questions, induces the Argentine government to limit its reply to what
is here expressed, referring for the rest to what that minister may have
declared or may hereafter declare in its name.
The Argentine government thinks that with the transference of the
discussion to the arena of diplomacy it will be easier to maintain those
cordial relations which might be endangered by a direct exchange of
notes. Such notes, unexplained, might go beyond the benevolent
intentions of both governments.
I improve the opportunity to reiterate to your excellency the assurances
of my highest consideration.
To his excellency the councilor Dr. Manoel Francisco Correia,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Empire of
Brazil.
[Extract from the Republica of Rio de Janeiro,
October 7, 1872.]
[Translation.]
Note from the imperial government to the Argentine
government.
Rio de
Janeiro, Department of Foreign
Affairs,
October 2,
1872.
The undersigned, of the council of His Majesty the Emperor, minister and
secretary of state for foreign affairs, has had the honor to receive the
note which His Excellency D. Carlos Tejedor,
minister of foreign affairs of the Argentine Republic, directed to him,
under date of 25th ultimo, in reply to those of the imperial government
of the 20th and 21st of July last. The minister says:
“The imperial government does justice to the republic in giving to the
language and views of the note of the 27th of April the only
interpretation compatible with the frank protests of pacific and
friendly sentiments which are contained in it, and which it is
gratifying to repeat on this occasion, since there was no intention to
offend the amour propre and dignity of Brazil,
but rather a desire to maintain the inviolability of the treaty of
alliance in which is involved the public faith of three nations.
“The Argentine government, rendering equal justice to that of the empire,
interpreted in the same spirit certain propositions, contained in the
above-mentioned note of the 20th of June, which might have a less
friendly meaning, (if not offensive, at least would seem contrary to the
duties and obligations of the alliance,) and renders on her part due
honor to the protests of friendship and the assurances which have been
given to maintain the compromises of the treaty of the 1st of May.
The Argentine government, therefore, believes that, having made the
requisite declarations on both sides, there is no convenience in
prolonging a discussion which might
[Page 88]
postpone a cordial understanding, such as ought to
subsist between allies who have fought side by side five years to secure
peace in these regions; all of them (allies) being equally interested in
maintaining those compromises to the end that there may be a fruitful
and lasting peace.
“This consideration, and that of having resolved, before the reception of
the above-mentioned notes, to send to the imperial government a minister
of high character, and armed with full powers to adjust pending
questions, induces the Argentine government to limit its reply to what
is here expressed, referring for the rest to what that minister may have
declared or may hereafter declare in its name.
“The Argentine government thinks that with the transference of the
discussion to the arena of diplomacy it will be easier to maintain those
cordial relations which might be endangered by a direct exchange of
notes. Such notes, unexplained, might go beyond the benevolent
intentions of both governments.”
With satisfaction the undersigned has received the assurance of the
minister that the note of the 27th of April contained no intentional
offense to the amour propre and dignity of
Brazil, and has also observed the renewed expression of pacific and
friendly sentiments of the government of the republic.
Although convinced that his previous notes contain no expression of
opinion which will permit one to doubt that like sentiments of
consideration and friendship are entertained by this government for the
Argentine Republic, and notwithstanding he believes it has already been
sufficiently proved that the imperial government desires to maintain the
alliance which guarantees so many benefits to the two governments and to
their neighbors, nevertheless the undersigned does not hesitate to renew
here the expression of those same friendly declarations contained in
previous notes.
It is agreeable to the undersigned, as well as Señhor
Tejedor, to consider the present notes as
closing the direct correspondence between the two governments, and to
confide to the good will and prudence of plenipotentiaries whatever
explanations may still he judged necessary, while at the same time they
treat of the principal object of their mission, which will be the most
perfect understanding or best agreement between the two governments upon
the rights and obligations of the treaty of alliance of the 1st of May,
1865.
The undersigned has the honor to renew to the minister the assurances of
his most distinguished consideration.
MANOEL FRANCISCO CORREIA.
To His Excellency Sr. D. Carlos
Tejedor,
Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Argentine Republic.
[Extract from the Jornal de Commercio of Rio de
Janeiro, October 9, 1872.]
[Translation.]
No. 1.
Note from the Argentine legation to the
imperial government.
Argentine
Legation in Brazil,
Rio de
Janeiro, October 3,
1872.
Mr. Minister: Having arrived at this capital on
the 6th of July, and presented my credentials on the 9th, I had the
honor of being received by His Majesty the Emperor on the 13th of the
same month, being at once accredited and recognized in the quality of
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary on special mission to
the imperial government.
Upon my arrival at this capital, I found already answered, under date of
the 20th of June, the notes which the Argentine government directed to
the imperial government on the 27th of April. Thus the direct discussion
of government with government was still going on; and so we concluded to
await the reply of the Argentine government before entering upon the
object of my mission.
The reply of the Argentine government reached the hands of your
excellency direct on the 26th of July, and it having given place to some
verbal explanations it was necessary to ask for new instructions in
order to resolve this incident, which arose in a confidential and
friendly manner as a question of form which was to be adjusted between
the two governments through the medium of the undersigned.
This question of form was satisfactorily arranged by the exchange of
notes which were verified yesterday upon the basis of a common agreement
and reciprocity, not only as respects the framing of said notes, but
also as regards the mutual friendly explanations therein contained. And
so cordial relations were happily and honorably reestablished between
both governments, not only as respects international duties, but also as
regards the rights and obligations of the alliance of the 1st of May,
1865, of which
[Page 89]
Brazil and the
Argentine Republic make part conjointly with the Oriental Republic of
Uruguay.
Thus the direct discussions of government with government having
terminated, and your excellency having accepted the proposal to transfer
it to the arena of diplomacy, agreeing also to refer further
negotiations to plenipotentiaries who shall enter upon them “in the
spirit of the most perfect understanding and best agreement between the
two governments about the rights and obligations of the alliance of
1865,” the time has arrived to treat formally of the object of my
special mission.
Having received from your excellency, in the course of our private
conferences, testimonials of the most cordial friendship and assurances
of an accord mutually satisfactory and honorable, based upon the
agreement settled between the minister of foreign affairs of the
republic and Baron de Cotegipe, and drawn up by the
former—said agreement to be taken simply as a point of departure for
subsequent negotiations—I trust that the object of my mission will be
accomplished in such a manner that, in peace as in war, the compromises
of the alliance will be observed, thus securing peace throughout this
portion of America, and making even Paraguay a sharer in its
benefits.
Thus officially reviewing what has passed, and proposing to your
excellency to occupy myself henceforward with the special object of my
mission, treating fully all pending questions until a perfect agreement
is reached, I hope your excellency will be good enough to indicate the
day and hour when we can have a conference, or will designate the
plenipotentiary with whom I shall negotiate for the future.
With this view I salute his excellency the minister, repeating the
assurances of my highest consideration.
To his excellency Manoel Francisco
Correia,
Minister of
Foreign Affairs of His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, Councilor,
&c., &c., &c.
[Extract from the Jornal de Commercio of Rio,
October 9, 1872.]
No. 2.
Note from the imperial government to the
Argentine legation.
Rio de
Janeiro, Department of Foreign
Affairs,
October 7,
1872.
The undersigned, of the council of His Majesty the Emperor, and minister
and secretary of state for foreign affairs, has the honor to respond to
the note of the 3d instant, which was directed to him by His Excellency
Brigadier General D. Bartolomé Mitre, envoy
extraordinary and plenipotentiary on special mission from the Argentine
Republic.
As Señor Mitre knows, the only obstacle which delayed the progress of the
negotiation, committed on the part of the republic to his excellency,
was the state of affairs resulting from the direct discussion between
the two governments, which could not be regarded as final with the
Argentine note of the 27th April and that of the imperial government of
the 20th June.
The impression produced by the note of the 27th of April having been
dispelled by that of the 25th of last month, the same friendly spirit
being manifest; in the general thought of the official documents of the
Argentine department of foreign affairs, the benevolent relations of the
two governments have been honorably and cordially re-established.
Thus, happily, the opportunity presents itself for the imperial
government to hear the proposition for an agreement, which the wisdom of
the Argentine government had suggested, in view of the official
declarations which had been directed to it; and the undersigned takes
pleasure in confirming what he said, not only in the notes of the 22d of
March and the 20th of June, but also in the private conferences with
Seiior Mitre, giving testimony that the imperial government never
thought of violating the alliance of 1865, but rather sought always to
maintain it without the least break, and in such a way that it might
prove as honorable and beneficent in peace as it had been during
war.
The undersigned has expressed, since the note of the 20th of June, that
the basis of agreement proposed by the minister of foreign affairs of
the Argentine Republic to Baron Cotegipe was
acceptable, and, in fact, was not prejudiced by any act of the imperial
government. If, then, this point of departure, which could not be
declined by Brazil, since it related to the substance of the treaties
celebrated by that government, promises, as Señor Mitre believes, the
satisfactory solution which both governments desire, the imperial
government accepts with great pleasure the way indicated by his
[Page 90]
excellency as proper for
facilitating a prompt and happy issue to his mission, although it would
seem more convenient that at, this negotiation the third ally should he
present, and that previously, or at the same time, Paraguay should he
heard.
The undersigned, reiterating the assurance already expressed, of the
pacific, just, and friendly dispositions of the imperial government,
takes pleasure in communicating to Señor Mitre that His Majesty the
Emperor has seen fit to appoint the Viscount of Sâo Vicente as his
plenipotentiary for this negotiation.
The Brazilian plenipotentiary will shortly invite the Argentine
plenipotentiary to open the conferences, from which both nations ought
to hope for the maintenance of such a cordial understanding as
corresponds with their antecedents and is loudly demanded, not only by
their own mutual interests, but also by those of the civilized
world.
The undersigned improves the opportunity to reiterate to the señor
minister the assurances of his highest consideration.
MANOEL FRANCISCO CORREIA.
To His Excellency Brigadier General Bartolomé Mitre,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
on Special Mission from the Argentine Republic.
[Appendix B.—Translation.]
[Extract from the letter of Baron de
Cotegipe—giving an account of his negotiations at
Assumption and Buenos Ayres—addressed to the Brazilian minister of
foreign affairs, on the 25th of June, 1872.]
* * * * * * *
The terms of the conciliatory agreement, written hy me, read and approved
by Dr. Tejedor, were these:
“That Brazil should declare, in reply to the note of the Argentine
Republic, that it acknowledged the obligations of the treaty of alliance
and is disposed to give the guarantees which it offers. This done, the
Argentine government will send a negotiator to Paraguay, who afterward
should go to Brazil to reduce to protocol the declarations of the note.
These declarations made, there is no objection to the ratification of
the treaties.”
* * * * * * *
