Mr. Conger to Mr.
Sherman.
Legation of the United States,
Petropolis, November 10,
1897. (Received Dec. 7.)
No. 56.]Sir: I have the honor to confirm your telegrams
of the 8th and 9th instants, respectively, as follows:
Washington, November 8, 1897.
Conger, Minister, Rio:
Express to the President our gratification at his escape and our
sincere regrets and sympathy on account of the assassination of
General Bittencourt.
Sherman.
Washington, November 9, 1897.
Conger, Minister, Rio:
If not already done, convey in name of the President
congratulations on providential escape of President of
Brazil.
Sherman.
[Page 45]
The first was received at 8 p.m. Monday, the 8th instant. I at once
prepared a note, transmitting same, a copy of which I inclose, and
yesterday morning went to Rio de Janeiro and placed it in the hands of
the minister for foreign affairs, emphasizing, in our personal
interview, the fact that it was an expression of the sentiments of our
entire Government and people.
The minister thanked me, for himself and his Government, very cordially
for the friendly and sympathetic message, as well as for the note which
I had written him on the subject on the 6th instant, a copy of which I
also inclose.
I then called personally on the President, and expressed the
gratification of my Government—mentioning particularly the President and
the Secretary of State—over his fortunate escape and their profound
sympathy on account of the assassination of Marshal Bittencourt,
informing him that I had placed copy of my telegraphic instructions in
the hands of the minister for foreign affairs.
The President seemed to be most painfully affected over the situation,
especially over the fact that the Marshal’s life was given to save his.
He very feelingly received my expressions of congratulation and
condolence, and bade me, most heartily, to thank the President, the
Secretary of State, and all my people for their kind and friendly
expressions in this, the saddest occasion of his life.
On my return to Petropolis last night I found your telegram of the 9th
instant, and although I had construed the former telegram to include the
President, and so expressed myself in my personal interview with
President Moraes, yet I thought best to transmit an additional message,
which I immediately did by means of the note, a copy of which I
inclose.
I shall undoubtedy receive, in due time, formal acknowledgments of my
notes, and will then forward copies.
I should add, that immediately upon receiving the news of the attempted
assassination I joined with the members of the diplomatic corps,
resident in Petropolis, in sending to the minister for foreign affairs a
telegram, copy and translation of which is herewith inclosed. I have,
etc.,
[Inclosure] in No. 56.]
Mr. Conger to
General de Castro
Cerqueira.
Legation of the United States,
Petropolis, November 6, 1897.
Mr. Minister: The news of the horrible
crime attempted yesterday against the life of His Excellency, the
President, and which resulted in the death of his heroic preserver,
the minister of war, has painfully shocked all good people the world
over, and already enlisted for Brazil and her citizens the liveliest
sympathy.
Such attempts, so frequent of late, are not merely attacks against
individuals, but direct blows aimed at order and good government
everywhere, and can not be too severely condemned.
For myself—and I am sure I voice the responsive sentiment of my
Government, as well as every one of the order-loving citizens of the
United States—I beg to tender my hearty congratulations over the
President’s
[Page 46]
fortunate
escape, and to offer my sincerest sympathy to your excellency, your
colleagues, and all Brazilians, whose delicate sensibilities must
keenly feel the horror of this dreadful murder of your distinguished
colleague, compatriot, and citizen, Marshal Bittencourt.
Sadly, but sincerely, my dear Mr. Minister, I renew, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 56.]
Mr. Conger to
General de Castro
Cerqueira.
Legation of the United States,
Petropolis, November 8, 1897.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to place in
the hands of your excellency the following copy of a telegram, which
I have just received from my Government:
Conger, Minister.
Express to the President our gratification at his escape, and
our sincere regrets and sympathy on account of the
assassination of Marshal Bittencourt.
Sherman.
And in accordance with what I know to be the real sentiments of my
Government I beg, through your excellency, to make this expression
to the President in the fullest measure possible.
Again, I improve the opportunity, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No. 56.]
Mr. Conger to
General de Castro
Cerqueira.
Legation of the United States,
Petropolis, November 9, 1897.
Mr. Minister: Upon my return from Rio de
Janeiro to-day I found awaiting me a belated telegram instructing me
to convey, in the name of the President of the United States, his
personal congratulations to the President of Brazil on his
providential escape, and his profound sympathy and condolence over
the cruel death of your distinguished minister of war.
In asking your excellency to kindly deliver this message to the
President, I am sure that from no source can you receive more
genuine sentiments of congratulation and sympathy than from him who
speaks not only for himself but for all the good people of the
United States of America.
I have the honor to reiterate, etc.,
[Inclosure 4 in No.
56.—Translation.—Telegram.]
The Diplomatic Corps
to the President.
The members of the diplomatic corps residing at Petropolis,
profoundly shocked by the wicked attack directed against your
person,
[Page 47]
offer to your
excellency their felicitations and their best wishes, and beg you to
accept the expression of their sincere condolenee over the heroic
death of his excellency, the minister of war.
- Giers.
- Portella.
- Pichon.
- Llaberia.
- Mesey.
- Conger.
- Van den Steen.
- Chinda.
- Guidi.
- Raikes.
- Griessinger.
