Mr. Thompson to Mr. Gresham.

No. 227.]

Sir: Referring to your telegram of the 12th instant, conveying instructions that an effort be made to have the restrictions on commercial telegrams in cipher removed, I have the honor to state that a note was addressed on the 13th instant to his excellency the minister for foreign affairs renewing my previous request for such action, and on the 24th instant I received a telegram announcing that the restrictions would be removed.

I inclose the correspondence upon the subject.

I have, etc.,

Thos. L. Thompson.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 227.]

Mr. Thompson to Senhor Nascimento.

Sir: By direction of telegraphic instructions just received, I has ten to renew to his excellency Dr. Cassiano do Nascimento, minister for foreign affairs, my request for the removal of restrictions placed by the Government of Brazil upon commercial [Page 64] telegrams in cipher. In view of the recent decisive victories which have attended the arms of the loyal forces for the preservation of the Republic and the consequential restoration of business throughout the country, the necessity appears no longer to exist for the maintenance of heretofore restrictive measures which have had a tendency to embarrass the free interchange of communication between the representatives of trade in the great commercial centers of our respective republics.

Trusting that his excellency the Sr. marechal, vice-president, in view of what is above set forth, the magnitude of the interests involved, and the good which would result, may not be precluded from granting the relief desired, I have presented the matter for consideration.

I improve, etc.,

Thos. L. Thompson.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 227.—Translation.]

Minister of Exterior to Mr. Thompson.

Orders have been given in deference to the last solicitations of your excellency relative to the telegraph. Good wishes to your excellency.

Minister of Exterior.