Benjamin Moran to João de Andrade Corvo, December 19, 1876

Mr. Moran to Mr. Corvo.

Sir: Under instructions from my government, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a letter addressed by the Secretary of the Navy of the United States to the Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, in which Mr. Robeson suggests the desirability of the co-operation of the Governments of Portugal and Brazil in the determination telegraphically from Paris of the longitudes of both coasts of South America.

In submitting this suggestion to His Most Faithful Majesty’s Government I beg to say that a similar instruction has been addressed to the minister of the United States at Rio de Janeiro, and that should one or both of the governments named be pleased to co-operate, the naval parties of the United States would take up the work at any point or points desired by those governments, in the Atlantic, whether at Lisbon, the island of Madeira, the Azores, or Rio de Janeiro, and would continue the work across the continent and along the western coast of South America, wherever the telegraphic lines might exist, and with the approval, concurrence, and such aid as Chili and Peru might be disposed to render.

But should either the government of His Most Faithful Majesty or that of the Emperor of Brazil find it inconvenient to co-operate, and yet feel disposed to allow the United States naval parties the necessary facilities for the work, as has been cordially done by several governments in West Indies, the work will be executed by the United States naval parties at the earliest period that may be found practicable by the United States Navy Department.

In presenting this suggestion of the Secretary of the Navy of the United States to His Most Faithful Majesty’s Government, the purpose of which, if carried out, will add much to the material interests of commerce and the advantages of science, I have to request that your excellency will do me the honor to favor me with the reply of His Majesty’s Government at an early day, as it is the desire of the United States Navy Department to begin the work with as little delay as possible.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your excellency the assurance of my highest consideration.