Mr. Thompson to Mr. Olney.

No. 440.]

Sir: The diplomatic corps having been informed by the minister for foreign affairs that the President would receive them on the 15th of November, the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic, they attended in a body. As senior member of the corps and on its behalf, I addressed the inclosed congratulatory remarks, to which the President replied, a copy of which is also transmitted herewith.

I have, etc.,

Thos. L. Thompson
.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 440.]

Remarks by Mr. Thompson.

On behalf of my colleagues of the diplomatic corps, whom it is my highly esteemed privilege to present to your excellency on this pleasant occasion, and on my own behalf, I have the honor to congratulate [Page 75] you, Mr. President, On the recurrence of this, the sixth anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic, and the auspicious opening of the second year of your excellency’s administration of the Government of the United States of Brazil.

This, Mr. President, is a richly endowed country; prolific in natural resources, as it is great within the confines of its territorial boundaries, and we regard with interest and pleasure the development of its great agricultural, mineral, and other productions.

My colleagues and myself rejoice that within the year the blessed mantle of peace has spread over this beautiful land, and unite in the hope that your excellency may live long to enjoy the fruits of that wisdom which has contributed to the life, sustenance, and growth of the Republic, and distinguished your excellency in the affairs of the Government.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 440.]

Remarks by President Moraes.

The congratulatory words which you have directed to me in the name of the illustrious diplomatic corps, in connection with which you enjoy the signal privilege of its dean, and in your own name, Mr. Minister, imposes upon me the double duty of thanking you.

The sixth anniversary of the Republic, and the commencement of the second year of my government, are motives for the expression of sympathy for it and of good wishes for its President.

In truth its riches are great, its territory is vast; the advancement, however, of all these, the cooperation which should contribute to the attainment of the necessities of civilization, depend upon the original condition of peace, which ought to be founded upon the sentiment of right within the country and in international relations without.

It should depend neither upon the curtailment of liberty, nor upon losing sight of the position held by Brazil in the society of civilized nations.

Happily—and pleasant to me are the references which you deem worthy to make, Mr. Minister—I have had the foresight not to forget this duty; but at this moment permit me to say to you that the hopes you entertain will not be disappointed, and that this result will not be obtained by the actual President of the Republic—mere accident in the life of a people—but by the energy of this nation, who will live progressing, through the consciousness of their responsibility, and to you, thus manifesting my thanks, I make sincere and cordial wishes for the prosperity of the nations which you, Mr. Minister, and your worthy colleagues with so much honor and brilliancy represent on this occasion of joy for my country, the United States of Brazil.