No. 408.
Mr. Moran
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Lisbon, March 20, 1879.
(Received April 10.)
No. 242.]
Sir: On the 14th instant, Mr. Corvo addressed to me
a note, a copy and translation of which I inclose, with a copy of my reply,
in which he says that American whaling captains have been in the habit of
contracting with crews in the Cape Verde Islands, observing, however, the
legal requirements for such contracts, except in the island of Fogo, where
it is the custom of these captains to evade the fulfillment of Portuguese
regulations in regard to such enlistments by receiving persons on board who
are leaving the island clandestinely.
The governor-general of that province has accordingly requested such
additional power from His Majesty’s government as may enable him to prevent
such enlistments in future, and such orders are about to be issued.
In view of this step, His Majesty’s government has seen fit to call my
attention to this subject, with the request that I will bring it to your
notice in order that the owners of the said ships may be warned not to
receive on board at those places Portuguese crews without the indispensable
papers, and thus endeavor to avoid all conflicts which such official
supervision might give rise to, and which, Mr. Corvo states, the authorities
of that Archipelago ought not to relax in the waters under their
jurisdiction.
I have no means of knowing how far these charges are true against American
whalers; but I have written to Mr. Terry, the consul at Cape Verde, asking
him to bring the matter to the notice of American captains, so that they may
give no cause of complaint in future. I inclose a copy of my letter to
him.
I beg respectfully to call your attention to this note of Mr. Corvo, and to
request that you will favor me with a reply at your early convenience.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
242.—Translation.]
Mr. Corvo to Mr.
Moran.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Political
Division,
March 14,
1879.
The number of American ships which put into the Cape Verde Islands at the
season suitable for the whale fishery being great, the captains in some
of those islands have been in the habit of contracting with crews,
observing the legal requirements for such contracts; in others, however,
as for example in the island of Fogo, it is frequently the habit of
these captains to evade the fulfillment of these regulations by
receiving persons on board who are leaving the island clandestinely.
The governor-general of that province, giving information of these facts
to His Majesty’s government, requests such powers as will enable him to
exercise the necessary supervision in this respect, which powers will be
shortly sent him.
It seemed, therefore, fitting for His Majesty’s government to at once
call your attention and that of your government to this subject, in
order that the owners of the said ships may be warned not to receive on
board at those places Portuguese crews without the indispensable papers,
and thus endeavoring to avoid all conflicts which such official
supervision might give rise to, and which the authorities of that
Archipelago ought not to relax in the waters under their
jurisdiction.
Whilst bringing the subject to the knowledge of your excellency, I avail
myself of the opportunity to renew the assurances of my distinguished
consideration.
JOĂO DE ANDRADE CORVO,
Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs.
[Page 900]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 242.]
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Corvo.
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon, March 19,
1879.
Mr. Minister: I had the honor on the 17th
instant to receive the note which your excellency addressed to me on the
14th instant, notifying me of the intention of His Majesty’s Government
to issue powers that will enable the governor-general of the Cape de
Verde Islands to prevent the clandestine departure of Portuguese
subjects from those islands, and asking me, in consequence of the number
of American whaling-vessels visiting those seas, to notify my government
of this intention, in order that the owners of said ships may be warned
not to receive on board in those islands Portuguese crews without the
indispensable papers.
I will immediately communicate your excellency’s letter to my government
and also to the United States consul at Santiago, in order that masters
of American whalers may be made acquainted with this intention, so as to
avoid any violation of the proposed new regulations, or, indeed, any
infringement of the laws of Portugal.
I avail myself, &c.,
[Inclosure 3 in No. 242.]
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Terry.
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon, March 19,
1879.
Sir: I have the honor to call your attention to
the inclosed translation of a note addressed to me on the 14th instant
by Mr. Corvo, His Majesty’s secretary of state for foreign affairs. From
this you will see that it is insinuated that American whalers are in the
habit of violating the laws of conscription in the Cape Verde Islands,
and clandestinely shipping Portuguese subjects, especially in the Island
of Fogo; and in order to prevent this in future, new regulations are
about to be issued by His Majesty’s Government.
How far these insinuations may be correct I, of course, have no means of
knowing. But, in order to avoid difficulty, I have to request you will
inform American captains of the intended new regulations, and impress
upon them the vital importance of observing and respecting all these
laws, especially while they are within Portuguese jurisdiction.
I am afraid there are just grounds for some of these complaints of
violation by American whalers of Portuguese laws, but I will not
pronounce an opinion until I hear from you on the subject, which I hope
will be soon.
I have, &c.,
- BENJAMIN MORAN.
- Thomas W. Terry, Esq.,
Consul of the United States,
Santiago.
