Mr. Richardson to Mr. Hay.

No. 226.]

Sir: In response to your dispatch of September 23, requesting copies of the neutrality proclamation issued by the Brazilian Government, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the one issued at the beginning of the war between the United States and Spain,a Brazil having issued no special proclamation for the present war between Russia and Japan, as will be seen from the translation of the note received with this, below.

I have, etc.,

Charles Richardson.
[Inclosure.]

Baron Rio Branco to Mr. Richardson.

I have present the note which your excellency directed to me on the 25th of the current month, requesting in the name of your Government that there be [Page 17] remitted to it a copy of the rules of neutrality followed by Brazil during the war between Russia and Japan.

The Brazilian Government did not adopt special rules with relation to this lamentable event, for the reason that on this subject it has fixed rules, which are contained in the inclosed circular published by edict on the 29th of April, 1898.a

I improve the occasion, etc.,

Rio Branco.