BAILEY, United States Consul to Antonio Sergio de Souza, April 21, 1871

No. 18.

Sir: I have not the honor of an acquaintance with your excellency, but knowing the high character you hear as a lover of fair dealing and a defender of the right, I make free to address you upon a subject that must obtain considerable notoriety, and concerning which your excellency has very great authority.

I allude to the fact that the Dolores Ugarte, now notorious throughout the civilized world for her atrocities in the coolie-trade, is reputed to be at this moment on the roads of Macao, preparing to load with coolies for Callao.

May I be so bold as to ask that your excellency will permit me to officially inform my government that you will interpose your authority to prevent that infamous ship having an opportunity to repeat the horrors of her last passage to Callao, and again flout her crimes in the face of the world, to the scandal of Christian civilization.

I am charged by my government with surveillance of the coolie-trade, and there being no United States consul at Macao, I have taken the liberty to address you in this grave matter, which will not be hid from public gaze nor shut out from the high tribunal of the nations.

But I have no doubt that your excellency has already taken the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of the terrible scenes on that ship.

My apology for this hasty note is that I write it in the interest of humanity, a cause I know your excellency will protect.

With sentiments of high regard and consideration, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,