Legation of the United States of Brazil,
Washington, October
14, 1893. (Received October
16.)
[Inclosure.—Telegram.—Translation.]
Minister of Foreign
Affairs to Senhor Mendonça.
To the Brazilian
Minister,
Washington:
The Government has issued the following decree:
The Vice-President of the United States of Brazil, considering that
the National flag is the symbol and expression of the lawful
personality of the union, of the perpetuity and integrity of the
country and its national sovereignty, and that only under lawful and
legitimate conditions is it permitted to vessels to carry that flag
[Page 147]
which is a
manifestation of the natural and patriotic bond that hinds them to
the territory of the Republic and to constitutional organs of its
sovereignity; that to the right to use the national flag is
associated that of lawful protection, and as regards vessels of war,
they are representatives of the armed force of the nation; that the
naval and land forces, being national and permanent institutions
intended for the defense of the nation without and maintenance of
its laws within, are bound to support its constitutional
institutions; that forgetful of their constitutional obligations, a
part of the vessels of the national navy have captured others
engaged in commerce, have armed them as vessels of war, and have,
since the 6th day of September last, committed every kind of acts of
hostility against the constitutional government, the inoffensive
populace, and public and private property; that by so doing they
have betrayed the institutions created by the constitution, still
continuing the use of the national flag, a symbol and enblem to
which they have no right, and under it have committed criminal acts;
that to the executive power, in virtue of the functions with which
it has been invested by the will of the nation expressed in the
manner directed by the constitution, it belongs to maintained
unharmed the personality of the Republic before the law of nations
and guard the honor of the national dag, decrees:
- Article 1. For any and all the
ends of public law, both private and international, the
following are declared to be deprived of their privileges
and of the protection of the national flag: (1) Those
vessels of war which, since the 6th of September last, under
the orders of Rear-Admiral Custodio José de Mello, have
continued in a state of revolt, in the Bay of Rio de
Janeiro, against the constitution of the Republic and the
lawful authority. (2) The merchant vessels which have been
and are now armed as vessels of war by the rebels, and all
other vessels of whatever description in their service. (3)
The fortifications which are taking part in the
revolt.
- Art. 2. Under the same terms are
from this moment included, without further need of
declaration by the Government, such vessels and such
fortifications, whether permanent or temporary, as may join
the rebels.
- Art. 3. All acts and
dispositions to the contrary are hereby revoked.
Federal Capital,
October 10, 1893, and the fifth year of
Republic.
- Floriana Peixoto.
- Firmino Chaves,
Minister of Marine,
- Fernando Lobo,
Minister of Justice and
Interior.
- Carlos Augusto de
Carvalho,
Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
- Joao Felippe
Pereira,
Minister of
Industry, Transportation, and Public
Works.
- Felisbello Freire,
Minister of Finance.
Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
