Mr. Bryan to Mr. Hay.
Petropolis Brazil, June 15, 1900.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on April 26 Rear-Admiral W. S. Schley, commanding the South Atlantic Squadron, telegraphed me from Bahia inquiring as to the sanitary condition of Rio de Janeiro. The health reports justified me in answering that the city had never been more salubrious, hence I sent the following telegram:
Admiral Schley, Bahia:
Rio unusually healthy and improving by heavy rains. Can not you arrive May 1, participating in centennial celebration, docking afterwards safely?
Bryan.
At that time there was no apprehension regarding the bubonic pest. Although the U. S. S. Chicago and Montgomery were in dock during their stay, there was not during the three weeks’ sojourn of the squadron in port a single serious or unusual case of illness among the 750 men aboard, nor among the officers and men of the Wilmington.
I had the pleasure, at an audience arranged through the minister for foreign affairs, of presenting Admiral Schley to the President of Brazil and of taking him, with his staff and the commanding officers of the Chicago, Montgomery, and Wilmington, to call on all the cabinet ministers and the heads of legations of equal or superior official rank to a rear-admiral. As many officers as could be spared from duty attended several large entertainments at the legation, where their accomplishments and bearing did credit to our country.
The visit of President Campos Salles to the flagship Chicago manifestly impressed him with the superior discipline and personnel of our Navy and afforded an opportunity for the exchange of sympathetic expressions regarding the good will existing between our peoples. I also, as on a previous occasion, explained the unavoidable reasons for the nonappearance of the squadron at the centennial ceremonies, as requested by me and ordered by our Government.
In view of the increasing alarm in this community regarding the bubonic pest, it was well for the officers of our ships to postpone the festivities which they had planned to give on board in acknowledgment of attentions shown the visitors by Brazilian officials and society, as well as by members of the diplomatic corps.
Immediately after the President’s visit the Chicago and Wilmington sailed for Montevideo, followed two days later by the Montgomery, all hands aboard being well.
I have, etc.,