No. 64.
Senhor Torreâo de
Barros to Mr. Fish.
Washington, June 29, 1874. (Received July 1.)
Sir: I have to-day had the honor to receive the note addressed to me by your excellency on the 26th instant, whereby you informed me that the President of the United States, after a careful examination of the claim raised by the sale of the Peruvian brig Caroline, had reached the conclusion that, as was thought by the government of His Majesty, my august sovereign, the imperial government was not lawfully responsible for the damages arising from the case, and that the Government of the United States had therefore determined to refund to the imperial government the amount paid by it, on the 30th day of September, 1867, to General J. W. Webb, at that time minister of the United States at Rio de Janeiro, for the settlement of that claim.
By the note to which I now have the honor to reply, your excellency requested me to call at the Department of State, on the first proximo, at eleven o’clock in the morning, for the purpose of receiving the sum of ninety-six thousand four hundred and six dollars, being the amount of the said payment, with interest at six per cent, per annum, which rate was agreed upon between the two governments in the case of the Canada.
Mr. A. P. de Carvalho Borges, the head of this legation, being absent on leave, has transferred to me the authorization which he received from the imperial government to receive this sum, in case of its being refunded, and I shall therefore not fail to call at the Department of State on the day appointed by your excellency for that purpose. After having given a receipt for the sum in question, I shall remit it immediately, together with your excellency’s note, to the imperial government, which will be highly gratified by the just and honorable settlement made by the Government of the United States of the case of the Caroline.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer your excellency the assurances of my highest and most respectful consideration.
I have, &c.,