File No. 641.326/7

The Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Peçanha) to the American Ambassador ( Morgan)2

[Translation]

Dear Ambassador Morgan: While thanking you, as is my duty, for the much appreciated influence of your country with the London [Page 311] Government in securing the removal of the prohibition of the importation of Brazilian coffee into the British Isles, I regret exceedingly to communicate to you that this concession was granted with the condition that it should only be transported in the former German interned ships—a condition decidedly displeasing to Brazil.

Since there are no German ships in Brazil—all of those formerly under the German flag having been incorporated into our own merchant fleet and, therefore, are Brazilian—I can not understand this condition. It was our desire to employ them all, the units which previously composed our fleet and the former German vessels, without distinction, in the European and American trade.

This reservation on the part of England is so much more lamentable in view of the fact that it had already been decided that one of the first steamers which should sail for Europe, with a cargo of coffee and foodstuffs, would be the former German ship Sierra Salvado, and after that one of our older ships. You will understand, however, that without maintenance and respect for our own liberty of action it would be preferable to renounce whatever concessions Britain offers us.

With renewed thanks, believe me [etc.]

Nilo Peçanha

P. S. I wish to confirm the advice which I transmitted to you verbally yesterday, to the effect that the Brazilian Marine is arranging to begin patrol work and that it will take upon itself the duty of the defense of the Brazilian coasts from the Guianas to the south.

  1. Transmitted to the Secretary of State as enclosure to the Ambassador’s despatch No. 961 of July 13 [received Aug. 8]; not printed.