No. 55.
Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish.
(Petropolis,) Rio de Janeiro, January 23, 1872.
(Received February 23.)
Sir: The political condition here continues to be satisfactory to the government, and everything has settled into the quiet of summer.
The high prices obtained for their great staple far more than compensates for the small deficiency in the crop; and commercial affairs are buoyant. The journals have busied themselves with the reported hostile intentions of a German squadron, destined for the South American coasts, in consequence of a trifling collision, in August or September, between the police authorities and some German naval officers, who fell into a dispute at a restaurant. Their apprehensions have magnified this squadron into a naval expedition to support the demand which, it is also reported, the new German minister, (to arrive on the 31st instant,) Count Solms, is to make on this government, and to insist, after proper explanations, upon a treaty for navigation, extradition, &c, and a consular convention being made, which shall secure prevention or prompt remedy in future.
This has led to a great deal of talk in relation to the position taken by Brazil, in refusing hitherto to enter into any new treaties with any nations, and her having given due notice for termination of those whose term will soon expire.
There is no treaty at present between the United States and Brazil, except what may be said to remain of the treaty of 1828 (whose term expired several years ago) by certain of its articles, which remain in force only because the required notice of discontinuance (twelve months) has not been given.
This is frequently a source of very great inconvenience and injury to our citizens, and especially to the heirs and interests of such as may die in Brazil.
I have, &c,