Mr. Thompson to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Petropolis, December 18, 1893.
(Received February 3, 1894.)
No. 107.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit copy and
translation of the manifesto of Rear-Admiral Saldanha da Gama, dated
December 7, but which was not made public until the 9th of this month, also
copy and translation of a decree issued by the Brazilian Government
declaring Admiral Saldanha a deserter, etc.
From the manifesto it will be seen that the insurgents now propose to change
the form of government, overthrowing the Republic and restoring the Empire,
subject, however, to a ratification by the people. It is understood that
this ratification would be merely a matter of form, and should the
insurgents be successful the Empire will undoubtedly be restored. The moral
effect alone of a victorious armed force would insure this result.
The reception, however, of this manifesto has not been at all flattering to
the monarchical cause. It has been met by opposition in nearly every state,
and the press has been filled daily with protestations. The many appeals of
Admiral Saldanha to the officers of the federal army to aid him have been
met with refusals and expressions of loyalty to the Republic.
It can not be denied, however, that there is much sympathy with the
restoration movement. This is confined mostly to the former officers under
the Empire, and those who received distinction, social or otherwise, under
it. They have very little, if any, influence with the masses, and are
apparently inactive, giving, no doubt, financial aid to the insurgents.
Since the failure of the people to flock to the imperial standard, it is said
Admiral Saldanha will issue another manifesto denying that it was his
purpose to restore the monarchy. What effect this will have can not be
foretold.
I have, etc.,
[Page 84]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
107.—Translation.]
Manifesto of Bear-Admiral Saldanha da Gama, of the
Brazilian navy
[From O Paiz, December 10, 1883.]
To my Fellow-citizens:
Being averse, both on principle and by instinct, to all manner of revolt,
I have never engaged in intrigues of any kind.
Now, however, in the painful historical crisis through which our native
land and our government are passing, the situation of the country
compels me to take part in the contest.
Accepting this situation, which patriotism forces upon me, I join
hands—without any preliminary arrangement, in broad daylight, and with a
realizing sense of the responsibility which I am assuming—with my
brethren who have been valiantly fighting for a year past on the plains
of Rio Grande do Sul, and for three months past in the harbor of this
capital, to free Brazil from a military despotism, which is rendered
still more unbearable by a combination of partisan bigotry with the most
unbridled Jacobinism.
Being a naval officer and having been an opponent of militarism all my
life, I am now going to fight it with the sword. Being a Brazilian, it
is to my interest to make every effort to put an end to this terrible
crisis which has brought our country to anarchy and into discredit, and
has crushed out all its liberties.
Both logic and justice warrant us in seeking, by force of arms, to
replace the Government of Brazil where it was on the 15th of November,
1889, when in an unguarded moment—a moment of national stupefaction—it
was overthrown by a military insurrection, of which the present
Government is but a continuation.
The respect, however, which is due to the will of the nation, freely
expressed, tells us that it is proper for it to choose, on its own
responsibility, the kind of institutions that it desires to adopt.
I offer my life, together with the lives of my companions in arms, as a
sacrifice on the altar of my country.
The army, which is now doing battle with its proverbial bravery, can no
longer continue to defend a Government that has lost the moral support
of the nation and its credit in foreign countries. Its persistence in
that inglorious role, even should it be successful, would at length
change it from a national force, as it is now, into a pretorian guard,
like those under the later Roman Empire.
The cry for our political redemption, which was raised on our southern
frontier, and which passed through Santa Catharina, Parana and S. Paulo
until it reached this capital, has now reechoed in the extreme
north.
Brazilians, in order to hasten the victory which, sooner or later, is
sure to come, you must lend the weight of your moral influence to the
struggle. It is a well-known fact that the national cause in whose
defense I am about to enlist already has the support of all the
conservative classes of Brazilian society, of the toilers and producers,
and of those, too, who are opposed to sedition, mutiny, and
disorder.
The will of these classes must prevail, and they must, therefore,
unmistakably make it known that they are determined to shake off the
abominable yoke of slavery which the military despotism of 1889 would
lain keep on their necks.
Compatriots, nations that yield up their rights can not complain of their
oppressors.
Brazil, whose past history is brief but honorable, has a great future
before her. She can only attain it by freeing herself from a despotism
which degrades her, both in her own eyes and in those of the civilized
world.
Show that we are not a conquered but a free people that is conscious of
its destiny.
This is the situation.
I hope to be able to perform my duty as a Brazilian, whatever sacrifices
it may cost.
Do you perform yours!
Luiz Felippe Saldanha da
Gama,
Rear-Admiral in the National
Navy.
Ilha das
Cobras, December 7,
1893.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
107.—Translation.]
Decree of Acting President Peixoto, of December 10,
1893.
Whereas, Rear-Admiral Luis Felippe de Saldanha da Gama, the officer in
charge of the naval school, who enjoyed the full confidence of the
Government, has betrayed his trust by abetting the insurrection led by
Rear-Admiral Custodio José de Mello, which he has declared, in a public
document, that he favors;
[Page 85]
Whereas, Rear-Admiral Saldanha, who was charged with the training of
youth for the honorable profession of seamanship, has, instead of
instructing his pupils in the principles of order and discipline,
incited them to revolt, in direct opposition to republican teachings,
and has inculcated doctrines at variance with, and subversive of, all
principles of civil probity and military honor;
Whereas, he has for three months betrayed the confidence placed in him by
the Government, which supposed him to be engaged in the faithful
performance of his duties, inasmuch as he was almost daily asking for
the supplies which he needed, in order to meet the wants of the naval
school;
Whereas, when he visited the marine hospital, in the name of humanity, to
maintain order and security, his only object was to incite the seamen of
the navy who were on sick leave and the employés of that institution to
revolt just as he had previously done to the naval cadets;
Whereas, he has secretly collected elements of war and illegally taken
possession of articles belonging to the Government that were in the
commissariat-general of the navy;
Whereas, during the night between the 9th and 10th instant he opened a
brisk fire with artillery and small arms upon the troops that are
guarding public establishments and defending the coast, his projectiles
striking many central points in this capital;
Therefore, I, the undersigned, Vice-President of the Republic of the
United States of Brazil, have resolved to include Rear-Admiral Luiz
Felippe de Saldanha da Gama among the number of the insurgents of the
national navy, who are already considered deserters, to declare him a
traitor to his country, because he seeks to overthrow the Republic by
force of arms, and to subject him, on account of these crimes, to the
penalties provided by military law.
Rear-Admiral Felippe Firmino Rodrigues Chaves, minister of state for
naval affairs, will see that this decree is executed.
- Floriano Peixoto,
- Firmino Chaves.
Done at the federal capital, December 10th,
1893.
