Benjamin Moran to Sen. Benjamin Moran, March 13, 1877
No. 259. Mr. Moran to Mr. Fish.
No. 131.]
Sir: Referring to your No. 62, and to my No. 120, relative to the cooperation of the Government of Portugal with that of the United States in the determination telegraphically from Paris of the longitudes of both coasts of South America, 1 now have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter, and translation thereof, addressed to me by the Marquis d’Avila e de Bolama, on the 8th instant, by which it will be seen that the necessary orders have already been given by His Most Faithful Majesty’s government to the proper officers in the Azores, Madeira, and continental Portugal to render to the Navy of the United States their services in the proposed undertaking. I add a copy of my reply to the marquis’s note.
I have not been able to learn whether His Majesty’s government will detail one of their ships of war to aid in these scientific observations, but as neither Mr. Corvo nor the Marquis d’Avila has said anything in reply to the suggestion of the Secretary of the Navy on that point, I infer not, and in this I am confirmed by the expressed purpose of the new cabinet to practice economy as far as possible in naval matters.
I have, &c.,