No. 60.
Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish.
United
States Legation,
Rio de
Janeiro, May 20, 1874.
(Received June 20.)
No. 176.]
Sir: On the 5th instant the session of the
legislative chambers was opened by a speech from the Throne, a translation
of which is hereto annexed.
It will be seen that this time the Rio Branco ministry have not followed
their own example on previous occasions, and made no allusion to all the
most important events or measures of the year.
They were obliged to speak of the ecclesiastical question, in which they have
triumphed, but have nothing to say on the question of civil marriage, which
has formed part of that discussion, nor of the attitude of the Argentine
Republic, which has taken up most attention since the trial of the
bishops.
Since then nothing has been done, because the ministry finds itself with a
bare majority of one or two, and which threatens to disappear, so that no
measure of importance or reform that was needed and promised has been
brought forward or discussed.
When the ministerial party find, at a session, that their members are not all
present, they depart, so as to leave the chambers without a quorum, so that
an adjournment till next day takes place, which is repeated on the morrow if
the steamer on which some of their adherents are to arrive has not come
in.
Meantime we hear less talk of war from Buenos Ayres, where the result of the
election for president is still in doubt. Here, however, they think this is
only a delay on the part of the Argentines; so the
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naval armaments continue, and every vessel of the
Brazilian navy is put in order for service.
The Argentine consul-general (chargé ad interim)
informs me that he thinks there is no adequate cause for all this
preparation here for defense, and regards it as a threat on this side which
may bring about the thing they profess to wish to avoid. From what he as
well as others from there tell me, and from the experience we have had of
this war-cry for now three years, I am inclined to think that there is every
day less probability of war, as I have already informed the Department. The
message of the Argentine president to the chambers just opened in Buenos
Ayres also appears to confirm this hope.
It is said that in case the present ministry should find itself without a
majority, there might be some change in its composition, perhaps of leaders,
so as to go on with the present house; for it is believed that the Emperor
is unwilling to grant a dissolution, being anxious that the proposed
electoral reforms should be adopted so as to govern any new election.
The chances, however, seem to be that the Viscount Rio Branco will remain;
and, perhaps, the reduction of the export duty, (from 9 per cent, to 7 per
cent.,) which he told me he intended to propose in favor of cotton and
sugar, may assist it.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure.]
Speech of the Emperor of Brazil at the opening of
the Legislative Chambers, May, 1874.
[From the Anglo Brazilian Mail May
22.—Translation.]
the general assembly.—opening of the
session, 1874, (May.)
The legislative session of this year was opened May 5, by His Majesty the
Emperor, with the following speech:
August and most worthy representatives
of the nation:
Your meeting is always to me a matter of rejoicing and well-based
trust.
Thanks to Divine Providence, the public peace has remained unshaken, and
Brazil prospers under the influence of this great benefit.
The last news I had from my beloved daughter, the Princess Imperial,
Countess d’Eu, brought me the grateful certainty of her pregnancy. In
this case she ought to return to Brazil, in fulfillment of one of the
conditions of the matrimonial contract, but perhaps she may find herself
obliged to avoid so long a journey, in compliance with the opinion of
medical authorities.
The sanitary state of many points of the empire has not been
satisfactory, but the sufferings of the people have been attenuated by
the assistance of the state and private charity.
Our international relations have not been altered, and the government is
trying to draw them still closer by bonds of friendship and reciprocal
interests.
The definite agreements of peace between the Argentine Republic and that
of Paraguay have not yet been concluded; it is to be hoped, however,
that they will be so, pacifically and amicably. With this object we have
given our ally the co-operation we are bound to by the agreement of
November 19, 1872.
Exchange has been made of the ratifications of a consular convention with
Great Britain, of a treaty of extradition with Belgium, and of a postal
convention with the Argentine Republic.
The procedure of the bishops of Olinda and Pará has subjected them to the
judgment of the supreme tribunal of justice. This fact has caused me
great sorrow, but it became requisite that so grave an offense to the
constitution and laws should not remain unpunished.
Firm in its purpose to maintain the national sovereignty intact, and to
guard the rights of citizens against the excesses of ecclesiastical
authority, the government counts on your support; and, without
abandoning the moderation employed till now, shall succeed in putting an
end to a conflict as injurious to social order as it is to the true
interest of religion.
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The public receipts diminished in some provinces in the beginning of the
current fiscal year, but it is not anticipated that their total will
fall below the previous estimate. Notwithstanding the increased expense
through the recent improvements authorized and the renewal of part of
the material of the army and navy, it is calculated that this fiscal
year and the preceding one will show surplus revenue.
Agriculture, our principal and bountiful industry, demands from your
intelligence provisions that will promptly remove the greater obstacles
with which it is struggling. The deficiency of loan establishments is
felt, to afford the planters, on conditions not onerous, the money they
require for the perfecting and developing of their labors. The new
contract with the Bank of Brazil is becoming beneficial, but all the
provinces are not included in the bank’s circumscription, nor are its
means sufficient for all.
Last year you adopted various important resolutions. I feel assured you
will continue in that course, and will consider, in the present session,
other projects which your solicitude for the public good will recommend
to your preference.
Popular education and instruction continue an object of the government’s
most assiduous cares, and a plan will be presented to you, the tendency
of which will be to give a systematic and more vigorous impulse to that
essential progress, to which private initiative, also, is rendering a
most praiseworthy co-operation.
Electoral reform urges, and I trust you will carry it into effect this
year, thereby attending to the high interests involved in the regular
action of our political liberty.
The organization of the military force, and, likewise, the guarantees of
individual liberty, appeal imperatively for a law to regulate
impressment in a just and efficacious manner, and to remove thereby the
insuffiency and abuses of the present system.
August and most worthy representatives of the nation: Every day
strengthens our faith in the brilliant future of our country. Its
realization will be the best recompense of our unceasing efforts.
The session is open.
DOM PEDEO II,
Constitutional Emperor
and Perpetual Defender of Brazil.
