Mr. Foster to Mr. Mendonça.

Sir: I have the honor to apprise you, by the President’s direction, of his acceptance of the post of arbitrator jointly tendered him by the Government of Brazil and the Argentine Republic, in accordance with the treaty of September 7, 1889, between them, providing for an amicable settlement of their boundary differences.

I am further directed by the President to say that it will afford him great pleasure to perform this friendly service by which a most gratifying occasion is afforded him to promote, as he confidently trusts, the good relations existing between two republics so long allied by ties of close friendship to the United States.

I inclose a copy of the President’s letter to his excellency the President of Brazil, accepting the trust, and add that the original has been forwarded to the minister of the United States at Rio de Janeiro for formal delivery in the usual way.

Accept, etc.,

John W. Foster.
[Page 19]
[Inclosure.]

President Harrison to Vice-President Peixoto.

Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States of America, to His Excellency, Marshal Floriano Peixoto, Vice-President of the United States of Brazil.

Great and Good Friend: I have received your letter of April 15th last, by which, in pursuance of a treaty concluded September 7, 1889, between the Governments of Brazil and the Argentine Republic, yon request that I accept the position of arbitrator to decide the questions of boundaries now pending between the two republics.

It gives me pleasure to accept the important trust so courteously tendered on the part of both Governments, and I take occasion to express the hope that I may thus be able to promote and strengthen the amicable relations which I so greatly desire to see existing between two neighboring republics of our continent.

Accept, excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Your good friend,

Benj. Harrison.

By the President:
John W. Foster,
Secretary of State.