Mr. Adams to Mr.
Blaine.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Petropolis, November 27, 1889.
(Received December 23.)
No. 21.]
Sir: I have the honor to continue my report on the
recent revolution. Before the departure of the ex-Emperor, the continuance
of his present income from the state was guarantied to him by the
provisional government, at least until the meeting of the new assembly, and
further in consideration of his immediate and peaceful departure, $500,000
was offered to him, and upon its acceptance, the grant was confirmed by
decree No. 2, a translation of which is inclosed.
It is proper to state that on the morning of the 16th my colleagues proposed
that the diplomatic corps should make a demonstration on behalf of the
Emperor, by going in a body to the palace and demanding to see him. This
proposition was politely but firmly declined by me, in which position I was
sustained by the French chargé d’affaires. Later we both separately called
at the palace but were refused admittance by the guards, although I stated
my official position and requested my card to be sent to the Emperor.
On Monday, 18th instant, Rio resumed its usual avocations. The military
patrol was withdrawn. The provisional government was completed as follows:
“Chefe,” Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca; minister of interior, Aristides da
Silva Lobo; war, Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Constant; finance, Ruy Barbosa;
navy, Eduardo Wandenkolk; foreign affairs, Quintino Bocayuva; agriculture,
José de Mirandá Ribeiro; justice, Manoel Ferros de Campos Salles.
On November 19 the several legations received from the foreign office a
circular (translation inclosed) whereupon I immediately cabled the
Department for instructions. On the 20th instant the Department’s
[Page 64]
cable, dated November 19, was
received. The mail and train for the day having left Petropolis, a telegram
was sent to the minister of exterior relations as follows:
I am instructed by my Government, by cable, you will maintain
diplomatic relations with the provisional government of Brazil.
Robert Adams, Jr.,
United States Minister.
To which an acknowledgment was received same day by telegraph. On the same
day a letter was addressed to the foreign office conveying the same
intelligence.
A letter was addressed to the consul-general communicating the instructions
of the Department and requesting him to inform the several consuls thereof
by telegraph.
A copy of the translation of decree No. 4, relating to the adoption of the
new national colors, is inclosed. This completes the record to date.
The provisional government continues to perfect its organization, and so far
perfect order reigns in the provinces. The former presidents of the
provinces have all been removed and new ones appointed with absolute powers,
chosen chiefly from the military class. The provincial assemblies have also
been abolished and no word is heard of an election for a national congress
to adopt a constitution. Many of the men formerly prominent in public
affairs, both Imperialists and Liberals, while accepting the present order
of things, stand aloof and seem to be waiting. The future is not assured,
and no one can predict for this country of the unexpected.
In conclusion, allow me to express my appreciation of the confidence the
Department reposed in my judgment and its prompt action on my suggestions.
Fully conscious of the responsible position, I have endeavored to act most
conservatively, and have reported nothing but verified facts to the
Department. Of course the air was charged with rumors. On the 17th instant,
when the ex-Emperor had accepted the payment of money, thereby acknowledging
the new government, and sailed away, I felt justified in advising the
Government to recognize the Republic, fully assured it would redound to our
future advantage. The frequent allusions in ail demonstrations here to our
country, and the numerous telegrams and congratulations received at this
legation, tend to confirm this opinion.
All of which I trust will meet with the approbation of the President and the
Department.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
21.—Translation.]
The Emperor’s abdication.
In view of the representation which was delivered to me to-day at 3
o’clock in the afternoon, I resolve, yielding to the power of
circumstances, to depart with all my family for Europe to-morrow,
leaving this country, beloved by us all, and for which I have exerted
myself to give constant proofs of deeply seated love, and dedication for
almost half a century, during which I filled the position of chief of
the state. In departing, therefore I with all the persons of my family,
shall always retain the most tender remembrances of Brazil in offering
ardent prayer for its greatness and prosperity.
D. Pedro de Alcantara.
Rio de
Janeiro, November 16,
1889.
[Page 65]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
21.—Translation.]
Mr. Bocayuva to Mr.
Adams.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Rio
de Janeiro, November 18,
1889.
Circular.]
It has been impossible up to the present date to send the necessary
communication I regarding the political events of the three days just
passed to Robert Adams, jr., envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary of the United States of America. These in short are as
follows: The army, the navy, and the people have decreed the deposition
of the imperial dynasty and consequently the extinction of the
representative monarchical system; a provisional government has been
established, which has already entered upon the exercise of it’s
functions and will continue to exercise them until the sovereign people
shall choose definitely, by means of competent organs; this Government
has manifested to Senhor D. Pedro de Alcantara the hope that he would
make the sacrifice of leaving Brazil, together with his family, and this
intimation has been attended to; a federative republic has been
provisionally proclaimed and decreed as the form of government of the
Brazilian nation, the former provinces constituting the United States of
Brazil.
The Provisional Government, as declared in its proclamation of the 15th
current month, recognizes and will respect all national compromises and
obligations contracted during the rule of previous governments, treaties
subsisting with foreign powers, the public debt, whether external or
internal, contracts in vigor, and all other obligations legally
contracted.
In the Provisional Government, whose chief is Marshal Manoel Deodoro da
Fonseca, I am charged with the portfolio of foreign affairs, and it is
for this reason that I have the honor to address Mr. Adams, jr.,
assuring him, in conclusion, that the provisional government is ardently
desirous of maintaining the relations of friendship which have hitherto
existed between the United States of America and Brazil.
I take advantage, etc.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 21.]
Mr. Adams to Mr.
Bocayuva.
Legation of the United States,
Petropolis, November 20,
1889.
I have the great honor and happy satisfaction to inform your excellency
that I am instructed by my Government by cable, “You will maintain
diplomatic relations with the provisional government of Brazil.”
In transmitting this information allow me to express the hope that the
cordial relations which have hitherto existed between my country and
Brazil maybe augmented by her adoption of a republican form of
government.
If your excellency will be pleased to name a day and hour, I shall be
happy to call upon and pay my respects to you, and also be presented to
His Excellency Manoel Deodoro da Fonseca, chefe do Governo
Provisorio.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure 4 in No.
21.—Translation.]
Decree relative to the flag and escutcheon of
Brazil.
The Provisional Government of the Republic of the United States of
Brazil:
Whereas the colors of our former flag remind us of glorious struggles and
victories both of the array and of the navy in the defense of the
fatherland;
Whereas those colors, independent of the form of government, symbolize
the perpetuity and integrity of our country among nations; it is hereby
decreed:
- Article I. The banner adopted by the
Republic shall continue the tradition of the former national
colors, green and yellow, in the following manner: A yellow lozenge on a green field, having in the center a sky-blue spheroid, crossed by a white circular zone running obliquely, and falling
from the left towards the right, bearing the legend, “order and
progress,” with twenty-one stars, amongst them those of the
“Southern Cross,” all placed in their proper astronomical
position as to distance and
[Page 66]
relative size, representing the twenty
States of the Republic and federal district. (See annexed
Drawings No. 1.)*
- Article II. The National Arms
(escutcheon) will be according to, Drawing No. 2.*
- Article III. The seal (stamps and
insignia) of the Republic will be the heavenly sphere
symbolically represented on the center of the flag, having the
words “Republic of the United States of Brazil” around
it.
- Article IV. All provisions to the
contrary are hereby revoked.
Done in the hall of the sessions of the
Provisional Government of the Republic of the United
States of Brazil
this 19th day of
November, 1889.
- Manoel Deodoro da
Fonseca.
- Aristides da Silveira
Lobo.
- Ruy Barbosa.
- Quintino Bocayuva.
- Manoel Ferros de Campos
Salles.
- Benjamin Constant Boteliio de
Magathoes.
- Eduardo Wandenkolk.
[Inclosure No. 5 in No.
21.—Translation.]
Decree No. 2 of November 16, 1889.
The Provisional Government of the Republic of the United States of
Brazil, desirous of providing for the proper maintenance of the position
of the family that has just occupied the throne of the country, and for
the requirements of its establishment in a foreign land, resolves:
- Article I. The sum of 5,000 contos
of reis is hereby granted to the imperial family.
- Article II. This grant in nowise
destroys any of the advantages secured to the chief of the
deposed dynasty and his family in the message of the Provisional
Government of even date.
- Article III. Contrary provisions
revoked.
By the President of the Republic:
- Aristides da Silveira
Lobo.
- Ruy Barbosa.
- Q. Bocayuva.
- Benjamin Constant.
- Eduardo Wandenkolk.
