Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish
Sir: I beg to inform you that the United States sloop-of-war Portsmouth, Commander A. A. Semmes, left this port on the 5th of September, bound for home, (New York,) at the expiration of her term of service on this station. She had on board four families, (United States citizens,) who, under the instructions of the State and Navy Departments, were allowed to return in her to the United States, in all twenty-four persons.
There were others, quite a number, self-exiled from the Southern States, now in the province of San Paulo, (south of this,) where I understand there are still between three and four hundred in all, very many of whom are exceedingly anxious to avail themselves of the generosity of our Government, which they are now glad to call their Government also, to return to the home they left. Their experience has convinced them of their mistake, and few things have caused greater admiration in Brazil, where those exiles formerly loudly boasted of the reasons which brought them here, than the generosity and magnanimity of this present Administration, which, upon their repentance and solicitation, gives them free passage home again, even on vessels of war.
The Portsmouth did not delay long enough in this port to enable many of those persons, for whom she still had room, to join her here in time.
It is my intention shortly to make a visit to the province of San Paulo, (as my predecessor, Mr. Blow, did,) after which I will be able to report to you the condition and disposition of those who still remain and are desirous to return.
In the mean time it will be gratifying to me to receive your instructions as to whether any arrangements can be made for chartering a vessel for, or paying passage to the United States, of such among them as meet the conditions of the Government’s generosity, so that such now in great need may be carried back before the expiration of the flagship’s cruise, (some months hence,) and which would probably not have accommodations for any considerable number.
The Ticonderoga, Commander O. C. Badger, proceeded on the same day (5th) to the river Plate, and the flag-ship Lancaster is still in this harbor, where Rear-Admiral Lanin an remained, at my request, so as to participate with the other vessels of war in salutes, &c., on the 7th of September, the anniversary of Brazilian independence.
I have enjoyed the pleasantest intercourse with the admiral and the officers of the fleet.
I have, &c.,