Office of the Historian
No. 4.

Mr. Markbreit to Mr. Fish

No. 121.]
Legation of the United States, Cochabamba, April 11, 1871. (Received June 13.)

Sir: Before leaving La Paz I received a letter dated London, February 16, from Colonel George E. Church, the manager of the Bolivian Steam Navigation Company for the navigation of the Marmore and Madeira Rivers and their tributaries, informing me that he was about to return to the United States, to make arrangements for the transportation to Bolivia of two iron steamboats and one steam-launch, (built in the United States.) At the time of writing, Colonel Church, although aware of the revolution which had broken out in this country, had not yet learned its result.

In view of the importance of this enterprise, not only to Bolivia and Brazil, but to the commerce of the world in general, and remembering the interest demonstrated by the Department, where in dispatch No. 6, of October 7, 1869, it instructed me to use my good offices (unofficially) with the Brazilian charge d’affaires in furtherance of said enterprise, I deemed it expedient to ascertain, if possible, the intentions of the new government relative to the same. Accordingly on the 31st ultimo, with this purpose in mind, I had an unofficial interview with Colonel Morales and his secretary general, in which the former expressed himself most heartily in favor of that enterprise, and of every undertaking tending to the development of the country.

At my request Colonel Morales directed his secretary general to address me an official note, which, although not in such strong terms as had been agreed upon, may nevertheless be of considerable service to Colonel Church, as it will convince his associates that the new Bolivian administration is disposed to lend its assistance in carrying out this undertaking. I may add that all the prominent men in the republic are earnest advocates of this navigation scheme, looking upon it as the natural outlet for the immense productions of their country, and as the only means of ridding themselves of constant revolutions and political disturbances.

I inclose herein a translation of the note referred to.

I am, &c.,

L. MARKBREIT.

[Translation.]

Secretariate General for Foreign Affairs, La Paz, March 31, 1871.

Sir: In virtue of the verbal conference which has taken place between the undersigned and yourself, (U. S. H.,) relative to the inquiry which you were pleased to make concerning the intentions entertained by the (excelentisimo) government of Bolivia in reference to the protection of the enterprises for the fluvial navigation of the eastern territory, His Excellency the Provisional President of the Republic has directed me to reply to you that he finds himself (que se halla) animated by the most patriotic sentiments to protect, with all his force, (con todas sus fuerzas,) all enterprises tending to the development of the riches of Bolivia, and the navigation of her vast rivers; and Colonel Church, being among this number, (y en contrandose el Sr. Coronel Church su el numero de ellos,) may rest persuaded of the philanthropic intentions of [Page 39] his excellency Colonel Morales, the undersigned being able to assure you that he (Colonel Church) will not be prejudiced in his interests.

In this manner I reply to you, subscribing myself your attentive, sincere servant,

CASIMIRO CORRAL.

Hon. Leopold Markbreit, Minister Resident of the United States, &c., &c., &c.