File No. 853.00/206.
[Untitled]
American Legation,
Lisbon
,
June 20,
1911.
No. 160.]
Sir: Referring to my telegram of June 19, 7
p.m., relative to the recognition of the Portuguese Republic by the
Government of the United States of America, I have the honor to report
that the National Constituent Assembly held its inaugural session
yesterday afternoon and, amid much popular enthusiasm, unanimously
proclaimed a republican form of government, a copy and a translation of
which proclamation I inclose herewith.
At half-past 6 o’clock in the afternoon I was received at the foreign
office by the minister for foreign affairs, to whom I verbally conveyed
the information of the recognition of the Portuguese Republic by the
Government of the United States and at the same time handed him an
official note on the subject, a copy of which is herewith inclosed.
Senhor Machado appeared delighted that recognition by our Government
should follow so closely its official proclamation and requested me to
convey to you his deep appreciation for this early action. In the
evening a crowd of several hundred persons, with a band of music, made a
friendly demonstration in front of the legation. My note is published in
all this morning’s newspapers and [Page 692] several prominent republicans have already
expressed their satisfaction to me for the friendship displayed by the
American Government. No other foreign power has as yet recognized the
Republic, excepting certain Latin-American countries which had already
done so shortly after the revolution.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Proclamation of the Republic by the National
Constituent Assembly of Portugal.
[Translation.]
The National Constituent Assembly, confirming the act of emancipation
realized by the people and by the military forces of land and sea,
and assembled to define and exercise the sovereign will, and having
in view the maintenance of the integrity of Portugal, the
consolidation of peace and confidence in justice, and the well-being
and progress of the Portuguese people, proclaims and decrees:
- 1.
- The monarchy is forever abolished and the Braganza dynasty
forever banished.
- 2.
- The form of government of Portugal is that of a democratic
republic.
- 3.
- All those who fought until victory was gained to overthrow
the monarchy are declared to be “well-deserving” of the
country and the memory of those who died in that glorious
enterprise shall forever be sacred and held in pious
gratitude.
[Inclosure 2.]
The American Chargé
d’Affaires to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
American Legation,
Lisbon
,
June 19,
1911
.
Monsieur le Ministre: Whereas the National
Constituent Assembly, expressing the voice of the people, has this
day settled upon and definitely proclaimed the form of government to
be adopted by Portugal, I have the honor, acting in accordance with
instructions received from my Government, to hereby inform your
excellency that the Government of the United States of America has
to-day officially recognized the Government of the Portuguese
Republic. In tendering my congratulations on this auspicious
occasion,
I avail, etc.,
