Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1897

Mr. Conger to Mr. Sherman.

Legation of the United States,
Petropolis, November 10, 1897. (Received Dec. 7.)

No. 58.]

Sir: I have the honor to confirm my cipher telegram of the 5th instant.

About 1 o’clock of the afternoon of November 5 the President was returning from on board the steamer Espirito Santo, where he had been, accompanied by his cabinet and military and civil staff, to welcome a contingent of officers and troops just returning victorious from the “Canudas war,” and had just landed at the war arsenal, where there had gathered an immense crowd, composed of friends and families of the returning soldiers, and the public generally. As the crowd parted to make room for the Presidential party a young soldier sprang quickly in front of the President and twice snapped a pistol at him. The pistol failing to discharge, he instantly drew a large knife or poignard and was about to plunge it into the President, when Marshal Bittencourt, the minister of war, pushed the President aside, grappled with the soldier, and himself received five serious wounds, from which he died within ten minutes.

Col. Luiz Moraes, a nephew of the President and chief of his military staff, in attempting to disarm the soldier and save the minister of war, was seriously but not dangerously wounded.

The assassin was a young soldier of the Tenth Infantry by the name of Marcelino Bispo de Mello, who was immediately incarcerated.

The same evening the President issued a proclamation “to the nation,” of which I inclose a copy and translation.

On the 6th instant the minister of war was interred at the expense of the Government, a large public burial being had and the President accompanying the cortege to the cemetery.

* * * * * * *

The U. S. cruiser Cincinnati, at present being in the Rio harbor en voyage to Montevideo, I have suggested to the commander, Captain Chester, the propriety of a temporary stay here, and he has consented to remain for a few days, awaiting developments.

I have, etc.

E. H. Conger.

[Inclosure in No. 58.—Translation.]

To the nation:

Profoundly hurt, in my estimation of men and Brazilians, by the premeditated attempt against me, and which sacrificed one of the most devoted servants of the nation, the brave Marshal Carlos Machado Bittencourt, I must affirm in the most solemn manner that this horrible crime will not have the effect of moving me one single line from the obligation of my constitutional mission.

The precious blood of a Brazilian marshal, heroically shed in defense of the person of the Chief Magistrate, gives a guaranty that those charged with sustaining public authority and institutions will not hesitate in the discharge of their duty, even when carried to the extreme of sacrifice.

The sublime popular indignation manifested in this tragic moment, the unquestionable proofs of support and solidarity given to the President, fortifies me in the conviction that I can depend upon the Brazilian people to sustain, with dignity and courage, the authority with which I am invested by their spontaneous and sovereign will.

Order and law will be respected as the honor of the Republic demands.

Prudente J. de Moraes e Barros.