Antonio Coelho de Sa’e Albuquerque to Watson Webb, April 26, 1867

Señhor Albuquerque to Mr. Webb

The undersigned, &c., &c., has already had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note which, under date of 21st January, was addressed to him by General James Watson Webb, &c. &c., offering the good services of the United States of America, and proposing the reunion of a conference, with a view to put an end to the war between Brazil and Paraguay.

That offer could not but he received with thankfulness. In fact, it conveyed to the imperial government another and highly prized proof of the friendly sentiments of the people and government of the United States; but a reference of the case to her allies being necessary, this duty of loyalty was complied with.

This is the reason why the undersigned is only now enabled to wait upon General Webb with the reply which is due to him on this important subject-matter.

The government of his Majesty the Emperor is the foremost in deploring the war in which it is engaged, and in longing for the arrival of the moment for an honorable and just termination of the same. The sincerity of these sentiments is witnessed by the manner of its procedure in its relations with the neighboring countries, including Paraguay itself, which is its debtor for numerous and very important services.

This, notwithstanding the imperial government has already once been forced to constrain itself, in not accepting the good offices which have been tendered to it, with the object now promoted by the United Slates of America. The same reply was then given to the government of Peru, which it now cannot but give to the American government.

The war which Brazil now wages against Paraguay was not provoked by her. The truth of this assertion is evident to those who, with the slightest attention, follow the events which from the commencement have come to pass. It is unnecessary to chronicle here those events.

For the purpose of the present note it suffices to call to mind that in the midst of full peace; without having been in any way offended; without the necessity of guarding against any danger whatever, and only from the impulse of unbounded ambition of dominion and renown, the President of Paraguay captured a Brazilian merchant steamer, and made a prisoner of the president appointed to the province of Matto Grosso; invaded that province and that of Rio Grande do Sul, and during that invasion committed acts which strike at the rights of nations, and are repugnant to modern civilization.

Brazil has to repel her gratuitous enemy as had the Argentine Republic, whose territory was in the same manner invaded, and the Oriental republic of the Uruguay, whither the Paraguayan forces were marching when detained during the devastating inroad.

One part of the province of Matto Grosso is still occupied by Marshal Lopez’s forces. The great distance which separates that province from the centre of the empire, and the want of proper means, do not permit its being easily wrested from the enemy, except by the manner in which he is attacked by the allies.

The foregoing reasons are doubtless sufficient to deprive Brazil of the satisfaction of assenting to the invitation which, in the interest of peace, has been addressed to her by a friendly government.

But, besides, such a peace would not meet with sufficient guarantee from the antecedents of the actual President of Paraguay, and, therefore, without the complete victory which the allies hope to gain within a short time, neither order nor tranquillity will ever be established in that country, nor the only true principles of liberty which alone can promote its happiness.

The imperial government thus trusts that that of the United States of America will view in its proper light the reply which, by order of his Majesty the Emperor, the undersigned presents to General Webb.

The imperial government is thankful for, but cannot have the satisfaction of accepting, the offer in so friendly a manner made to it.

The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to reiterate to General James Watson Webb the assurances of his high consideration.