Mr. Thompson to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Petropolis, January 12, 1894.
(Received Feb. 8.)
No. 134.]
Sir: Following my Nos. 121 and 122, December 31, I
have the honor to report comparatively little firing by the insurgents on
Rio de Janeiro having taken place. The fighting has been confined mostly to
the islands and fortified points beyond the confines of the city, and within
a few days the insurgents have taken forcible possession of an island used
as a coal depot, and with it captured a large quantity of coal belonging to
the Royal Mail Steamship Company of England.
Up to the time Admiral Mello left the bay no very serious interruption of our
commerce had occurred. Since the advent of Admiral Saldanha da Gama to the
command of the insurgent forces, many impediments to its free operations
have been experienced, owing to his efforts to stop the passage of goods to
the custom-house and the apparent change in the attitude of the foreign
naval forces from the more effective position taken by them against Mello,
The several American ships,
[Page 106]
however, that went to the docks on their own responsibility and with the
consent of the Government have discharged and taken on cargo without
interference. Some German and other foreign ships have also proceeded with
their operations without interruption. I trust this may continue, but the
object of the insurgents being to deprive the Government of the revenues of
the custom-house, there can be no assurance of it without the moral support
of the naval forces of the powers respectively interested. The Germans have
maintained independently the position taken by all the powers in regard to
commerce against Mello.
With regard to the question of bombardment, the inclosures herewith of
correspondence will explain the situation, the most important feature of
which is the withdrawal on the 2d instant of the engagement of the
commanders to prevent bombardment and the reply of the Government on the 8th
instant to that communication. The arrangement, however, for notice of
forty-eight hours continues in force with both the Government and the
insurgents.
Inclosures from Consul Burke at Pernambuco explain the situation at that
point, which, at last accounts, the 4th instant, was quiet.
Private information of a reliable character from Sao Paulo, Minas, San
Francisco, and other points advise that the people of the interior are loyal
in their support of the Government, and no advices to the contrary has come
to hand. Concerning the question of the Government’s finances mentioned in
my No. 121, I am creditably informed that under the administration of
Deodora Fonseca banks all over the country were authorized to issue notes to
be used as currency. This privilege was much abused when, under Peixoto,
Congress withdrew the privileges to all except the Banco da Republica of Rio
de Janeiro, and the notes in circulation were redeemed, or are being
redeemed, at par by that bank, which is alone authorized to issue money for
general circulation. This bank not having on hand notes sufficient was
furnished by the Government with the old blank Imperial notes, thousands of
which were on hand, and they are being signed by the bank officers as
required by law, and not by the treasury officials. These notes are
generally accepted by the banks of the country.
The Aquidaban, Admiral Hello’s flagship, returned from
the south and entered the bay under heavy fire from the forts this morning
between 4 and 5 o’clock. It is stated, by some of our naval officers that
Admiral Mello is not on board.
I have great pleasure in reporting also the arrival of the San Francisco at 8 o’clock this morning, with Rear-Admiral Benham,
whom I hope to see to-morrow, having been engaged to-day with this mail.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 134.]
Mr. Burke to Mr.
Thompson.
Consulate of the United States,
Pernambuco, December 26,
1893.
Sir: I have the honor to report that since my
dispatch of December 13 affairs have remained in statu
quo; no disorder, no disturbance of any kind has taken place in
the city. Rumors of difficulties between the citizens and soldiers in
the interior have come to my ears. I have reason to believe that some
conflicts have taken place in the interior between citizens there and
soldiers sent from here by the Government.
[Page 107]
This information comes from what I regard a
reliable source. I do not know how serious the conflicts were or what
effect they may have upon subsequent events. The state of siege which
was decreed to continue to the 25th will I presume be prolonged, though
I have not as yet received any notice of its being extended. Quiet
reigns throughout the city. The steamship Nictheroy, which I cabled you arrived on the 14th, is still in
port. Why it should remain so long here seems to be shrouded in mystery.
Five days after her arrival there was a rumor of a mutiny on board, and
60 or 70 men in irons. That there was an attempt at mutiny I have reason
to believe, but the vigilance and firmness of the officers crushed it
out before it developed any strength. From information I receive from
Capt. Baker, in charge of the Nictheroy from New
York here, the said steamship was taken possession of by the Brazilian
authorities on the 15th, one day after her arrival at this port. From
the day of her anchoring in the harbor outside the reef up to the 18th
no one from the ship communicated with the shore.
On the 18th Mr. Bryson, of the New York Herald, Mr. Fontaine, of the
World, and Mr. Mariotte, of the Associated Press, came on shore against
the wishes of Capt. Baker, as they stated. The following day from 55 to
60 of the crew, including Mr. Judge, a gunner on board, and Mr. Conway,
one of the lieutenants, were allowed to land. These officers and men are
still in the city, waiting a steamer to take them to New York.
According to the agreement signed between Salvador Mendonca, minister to
the United States from Brazil, and the officers and crew of the Nictheroy, the Brazilian authorities here were to
arrange passage of those not willing to enlist, to return them to New
York. I am informed that the matter is now under consideration, and that
they will be sent by the first opportunity. With the exception of the
two officers mentioned and the 65 to 50 men that were landed, the rest
are still on board, viz, 160 or 170 all told. It is stated by some, the
reason the cruiser, as it is called, does not proceed to Rio is that the
Government is not willing to accede to the terms proposed by officers
and crew willing to enlist. Others say that the ship has not been paid
for, and that Flint & Co. have given orders not to proceed until
payment is made. There is still another rumor that the captain and
officers refuse to be under the supervision of any Brazilian officers,
of which there are some on board, together with a hundred of more cadets
from the military school at Ceara. These, however, are rumors. I do not
know whether there is any foundation for them or not. At all events, the
ship is still in port. The America has not
arrived. It is said a mutiny arose on board the America after leaving New York, and that she put into St.
Thomas or Martinique. It seems, from information requested by this
consulate from Capt. Baker, that neither officers nor crew were shipped
before the U. S. shipping commissioner, nor was there any clearance from
the custom-house in New York, and that she sailed under the Brazilian
flag; therefore this consulate has no jurisdiction in the matter, and in
case of any ill treatment by the Brazilian authorities toward this crew
the consul can not interfere in his official capacity, as it would
devolve upon him to do were they regularly shipped seamen.
He can only act as he would in case of complaint by any American citizen.
However, as far as I can learn, the Brazilian authorities here are
treating the men fairly and properly, and doing what they can to return
them to New York as soon as possible. Should any events of importance
occur later will communicate them.
I have, etc.,
David N. Burke,
U. S. Consul.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 134.]
Mr. Burke to Mr.
Thompson.
Consulate of the United States,
Pernambuco, January 4,
1894.
Sir: I have the honor to report that since my
dispatch of the 26th ultimo martial law, as I cabled you on the 27th,
has been extended to the 31st of January. As I also cabled on the 2d,
the America arrived at this port under the
Brazilian flag on the 31st ultimo. On the same day, shortly after the
America anchored, the U. S. steamship San Francisco, under command of Admiral Benham,
who now has charge of the South Atlantic squadron, arrived in this port.
Having taken some coal, the San Francisco left
here yesterday, proceeding to Bahia, where she will take more coal and
then proceed to Rio. I am reliably informed that satisfactory
arrangements have been made by the Brazilian Government with the
officers and crew of the Nitcheroy, and that she
will shortly proceed to Rio. I am informed also that there are about 120
of the crew and all the officers except two, that brought the ship from
New York, enlisted,
[Page 108]
Negotiations are now pending between the Brazilian Government and the
officers and crew of the America. When any result
is reached will communicate it. Quiet reigns in and about the city. Mr.
Mariotte, of the Associated Press, and Mr. Fontaine, of the World, left
on the San Francisco.
I am, etc.,
David N. Burke,
U. S. Consul.
