Mr. Thompson to Mr. Sherman.

No. 571.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit under separate cover the reports of the minister for foreign affairs and minister of justice and interior presented to His Excellency the President of the Republic on the 14th instant.

The report of the minister for foreign affairs treats principally of negotiations with neighboring countries for the delineation and establishment of boundaries. More or less progress has been made in every case, but the most important and interesting have been those with France, which culminated on the 10th ultimo with the acceptance and signing of a treaty of arbitration by which the question of the boundary line is to be submitted to the Government of the Swiss Confederation for decision.

The question at issue, which includes the disputed territory of Amapa, arises from different interpretations of article 8 of the treaty of Utrecht, [Page 44] the Brazilian Government contending that by the River Japac, mentioned by the treaty, the Oyapoc was intended, while the French Government maintains that the Araguary was intended.

The arbiter is at liberty to select either of these rivers or any river between the two.

Referring to the recent visit of the commission from the National Association of Manufacturers, the report says:

In the report presented by my predecessor on April 30, 1896, it appears that some of the principal chambers of commerce of the United States of America had determined to send to Brazil delegates who, for their enlightenment and that of others, desired to inform themselves in regard to the resources of this country and of the proper way of developing the commercial relations with this country. The Government responded to an invitation from the American legation that those delegates would receive all possible aid for the happy and complete success of their mission, and they did so, returning well satisfied, as appears from the correspondence which accompanies this report. (Appendix No. 1.)

It appears that the British legation has succeeded in arranging here for the acceptance of certificates from the board of trade (British) as satisfactory evidence of the tonnage of British vessels, thus obviating the necessity of other admeasurements. It has occurred to me that some similar arrangement should be made for our vessels, and I will communicate with the consul-general to ascertain the present practice, and if found arduous or burdensome on shipping interests, ask your consideration of the question.

Other portions of the report refer to detail matter in which we have no general interest.

I have, etc.,

Thos. L. Thompson.