Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 8, 1885

No. 4.

Mr. Bayard to Mr. Osborn.

Department of State,
Washington, May 25, 1885.

No. 227.]

Sir: I inclose a copy of the material portion of a letter from Mr. Scrymser, president of the Central and South American Telegraph Company, 37 Wall street, New York, in continuation of the subject of the proposed extension of the telegraphic lines now existing to Brazil, presented in a recent telegram to you.

Please investigate the entire matter of the scheme and report. You can properly make known to the Argentine Government the general desire in this country and the wish of the Government for full and unimpeded telegraphic communication between the United States and the Argentine Republic.

I am, &c.,

T. F. BAYARD.

[Inclosure in No. 227.]

Mr. Scrymser to Mr. Bayard.

New York, April 23, 1885.

Dear Sir: * * * In a communication addressed to the honorable Secretary of State, Mr. Frelinghuysen, December 9, 1884, this company asked that the Department of State should instruct the United States minister at Buenos Ayres, General Thomas O. Osborn, to urge upon the Government of the Argentine Republic the granting of a concession to this company for the extension of its lines from the coast of the Argentine Republic to Brazil. Mr. Frelinghuysen informed me in a letter dated December 29, that Minister Osborn had been instructed accordingly.

I take pleasure in informing you that General Osborn cabled, April 22, as follows, in response to my inquiry asking what progress he had made in obtaining such a concession:

Scrymser, New York:
First step gained; think success certain.

OSBORN.

In this connection I deem it proper to explain that, prior to the establishment of the telegraph lines of this company, South America was only reached through the English cables via New York, London, Lisbon, thence across the South Atlantic to Brazil, and thence southward.

These English lines form a monopoly so complete that the present time, not a single message can be transmitted from Brazil to the United States excepting via Europe.

The Governments of Brazil and the Argentine Republic are very anxious to secure direct telegraphic communication with the United States independent of these European lines.

The advantage of unrestricted communication between North, Central, and South America will be of great political and commercial value to the three Americas.

Under these circumstances I trust that your Department will confirm the commendatory instructions given to Minister Osborn by your predecessor, and that Minister Osborn will be permitted to conclude the important negotiations he has undertaken.

* * * * * * *

I remain, &c.,

JAMES A. SCRYMSER.