No. 232.
Mr. Moran
to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Lisbon, January 5, 1876.
(Received January 31.)
No. 53.]
Sir: On the 27th ultimo I sent to Mr. Corvo, with a
note, a copy of which I inclose, a pamphlet copy of the President’s message,
and on the 4th instant I received a cordial letter of acknowledgment, a copy
of which and translation, together with my reply, are forwarded
herewith.
It will be noticed that Mr. Corvo asks me to express to my Government the
deep sense of admiration of His Majesty’s government for the President’s
recognition of the Portuguese act of emancipation of the 29th April, 1875,
and the declaration that His Majesty’s government offers most earnest
prayers, in union with those of President Grant, that the time may be near
when the notion may be wholly repudiated that man can subject his fellow-man
to bondage.
In my reply to Mr. Corvo I have expressed the gratification it will afford me
to convey to you the sentiments of his government in regard to the
President’s reference to the act perpetually abolishing human slavery
throughout the dominions of the Portuguese monarchy, and I feel I cannot
better discharge this pleasant duty than by transmitting to you, as I do
herewith, copies of the correspondence which has passed between me and Mr.
Corvo on the subject.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 53.]
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Corvo.
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon, December 27,
1875.
Sir: Having received a few pamphlet copies of
the President’s recent message to Congress, I beg to inclose one
herewith for your acceptance, and am, with great respect, your
excellency’s most obedient servant,
His Excellency João de Andrade
Corvo,
&c., &., &c.
[Page 433]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
53.—Translation.]
Mr. Corvo to Mr.
Moran.
Office
of the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs,
January 1,
1876.
The message of the President of the United States of America, recently
addressed to Congress, where it speaks of foreign affairs, makes
reference in such a very honorable manner to Portugal, to the
promulgation of the law of April 29, 1875, by which speedy emancipation
is given to the slaves in all the colonies of the Portuguese monarchy,
and by which the state of slavery there has been abolished in
perpetuity, that I cannot resist asking your excellency kindly to
express to your Government the deep sense of admiration of His Majesty’s
government for such a sentiment.
This government, esteeming very highly the words of President Grant and
his high, testimony to the approval deserved by its constant efforts to
perfect this humane intention, offers most earnest prayers, in union
with those of the high Magistrate who presides over the destinies of the
great American nation, that the time may be near when the notion may be
wholly repudiated that man can subject his fellow-man to bondage.
Renewing the assurance of my highest consideration, &c.
Office of the secretary of state for foreign
affairs, January 1,
1876.
JOÃO DE ANDRADE CORVO.
Benjamin Moran, Esq.,
&c., &c, &c.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 53.]
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Corvo.
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon, January 5,
1876.
Sir: I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of
your excellency’s note of the 1st instant, expressing in warm language
the satisfaction with which His Most Faithful Majesty’s government has
received the remarks made by the President of the United States of
America in his last annual message, congratulating Portugal and the
civilized world on the promulgation of the law of April 29, 1875, by
which speedy emancipation is given to the slaves in all the colonies of
the Portuguese monarchy, and by which the state of slavery there has
been abolished in perpetuity; and I shall not fail to comply with your
excellency’s wish, and promptly convey to my Government the deep sense
of admiration entertained by His Majesty’s government for the sentiments
which the President has been pleased to express upon this humane and
just proceeding.
I observe with pleasure that His Majesty’s government joins with
President Grant in earnest prayers that the time may be near when the
notion may be wholly repudiated that man can subject his fellow-man to
bondage; and I am sure that my Government will receive this expression
of the sentiments of Portugal in regard to slavery with feelings of the
liveliest satisfaction.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances
of my highest consideration, and am, sir, &c.,
His Excellency João de Andrade
Corvo,
&c., &c.,
&c.
