Mr. Thompson to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Petropolis, November 10, 1893.
(Received December 18.)
No. 65.]
Sir: While at our consulate in Rio de Janeiro on
the 24th of October Rear-Admiral Stanton delivered to me two inclosures
which contained, respectively, a communication from the minister of foreign
affairs of the Provisional Government of the United States of Brazil
(inclosure No. 1) and a letter from Bear-Admiral Custodio José de Mello, of
the insurgent squadron of the United States of Brazil (inclosure No. 2). I
hesitated to receive them, but as they came through the medium of our
admiral, decided to do so, and at once wired the contents of same to you. I
did not acknowledge receipt of the documents by letter, but authorized
Admiral Stanton to say they were delivered to me. I now have the honor to
forward copies of the papers received as per inclosures noted above.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1, in No.
65—Translation.]
Senhor Cardozo to
Mr. Thompson.
Provisional Government of the United States of
Brazil,
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Desterro, October
17, 1893.
I have the honor of announcing to your Excellency that on the 14th day of
this month was organized, with seat in this capital, the Provisional
Government of the Republic of the United States of Brazil, instituted
for the defense of the constitution.
The Naval Captain Frederico Guilhermo Lorena assumed the post of Chief of
this Government.
The Legislative Assembly, president of this state, supreme court of
justice, and land and sea forces proclaimed this Government. In the
whole territorial extent of the State, the people joyfully received this
news and pledged their aid to the Government instituted for the
salvation of the Republic and constitution. Peace reigns throughout the
State.
[Page 66]
By the Chief of the Government the citizen Joaõ Carlos Monraõ doz Santos
was named minister of marine, public works and interior and the
undersigned for war, treasury and foreign affairs.
On this date I have the high honor of directing to your Excellency this
same communication by telegraph.
Annibal Eloy Cardozo,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
65—Translation.]
Rear-Admiral Mello
to Mr. Thompson.
Headquarters of the Insurgent Squadron of the United States
of Brazil,
On board the Aquidaban
at Rio de Janeiro, October
23, 1893.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the
State of Santa Catharina, the revolutionists of the State of Rio Grande
de Sul, and the insurgents of the Brazilian squadron, making common
cause, have just founded a Provisional Government of the republic in
opposition to the personal and unconstitutional government of Marshal
Floriano Piexoto.
The new Government, whose seat is the city of Desterro (capital of the
State of Santa Catharina, and which has as chief of the executive power
Naval Captain Frederico Guilhermo de Lorena, has charged me to solicit
the European Governments and that of the United States of North America
to recognize it as a belligerent.
You are a witness, sir, of the progress of the revolution of Rio Grande
and of the insurrection of the squadron as well as the sympathy that
they have aroused in the entire country; so much so that I am of the
opinion that with the already assured material support of the State of
Santa Catharina and of other States in which the revolution has powerful
means of action (Paraná, for instance, the conquest of which is very
easy), the government of Marshal Peixoto will necessarily be overthrown.
As evident proof in support of my affirmation I will cite his
powerlessness in face of the revolution of Rio Grande, which has now
lasted nearly a year, and with regard to the insurgent squadron, which
holds him in check even in the bay of the capital of the Republic, where
he can perform no sovereign act.
Not yet wishing to employ extreme and bloody measures (such as the
bombardment of cities) to hasten the end of this unfortunate civil war,
the Provisional Government of the Republic thinks that by its
recognition as a belligerent the same result would be reached, only more
slowly.
I dare then beg you to be the kind intermediary with your Government in
order that the humanitarian work which we should all take to heart maybe
accomplished as quickly as possible.
I seize this opportunity, etc.,
Custodio José de Mello,
Bear-Admiral.
