No. 20.
Mr. Osborn
to Mr. Frelinghuysen
Legation of
the United States,
Rio de
Janeiro, June 17, 1882.
(Received July 21.)
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
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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.,
[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.