No. 20.
Mr. Osborn to Mr. Frelinghuysen

No. 36.]

Sir: The minister of foreign relations has presented to the General Assembly a report, in which, among other topics, he briefly refers to the invitation extended by the United States Government to that of Brazil to participate in the proposed Congress of American States. The minister still entertains the views heretofore expressed by him on this subject in Congress, of which you have been advised in former dispatches.

I inclose an English translation, and beg especially to direct your attention to the closing paragraph. It will be seen that this government still adheres to their acceptance of our invitation.

In an informal conversation which I had early in this week with Baron de Cabo de Frio, of the foreign office, he spoke of the time required for [Page 30] the preparation of instructions, and the voyage of the ministers, and expressed considerable anxiety for early information as to whether the Congress is to be held or not.

I have, &c.,

THOMAS A. OSBORN.
[Inclosure.—Extracts from report of minister of foreign relations.—Translation.]

The imperial government was invited by the United States of America to send two commissioners to a Congress of all the American nations, which, as was proposed, was to be opened in Washington the 22d of November of the present year, and in which were to be discussed the best means of avoiding war between said nations.

It is possible that the execution of this humanitarian project may be postponed, and it does not seem probable that by the means proposed can so difficult a question be solved; but the effort is worthy of the best support, and the imperial government, as much interested as any others in this part of the world in the preservation of peaceful relations, conformable with its traditional policy, could not refuse the aid which was asked of it. It was quick, therefore, to promise it.

The American Government indicated for the opening of the Congress a date so remote as should permit the hope of the republics of Chili, Bolivia, and Peru, which are at war, taking part in its deliberations.

Unhappily, perhaps they may not be able to re-establish peace between themselves within the time specified, and may not be prepared, therefore, to proceed, like the other nations, without preoccupations which might prejudice the ends of the Congress, and without which this, the Congress, would seem destined to intervene directly or indirectly in a business of which it should remain entirely free.

The imperial government is not yet informed if the invitation has been accepted by others. It still maintains its resolution, and will take the necessary measures to the end that Brazil may be represented on the designated occasion.