James R, Partridge to the minister of foreign affairs, in answer to his note of September 28, 1871, inclosing certain printed documents, in relation to the emancipation bill, September 28, 1871

Copy of Mr. Partridge’s note to the minister of foreign affairs, in answer to his note of September 28, 1871, inclosing certain printed documents, in relation to the emancipation bill.

I have had the pleasure of receiving the printed documents which his excellency the Councilor Senor Manoel Francisco Correia, minister and secretary of state, had the goodness to send me, consisting of the opinion of the council of state in 1868, the report and bill of the deputies in 1870, and the report of the special committee of this year upon the project offered by the government, in relation to the servile population, which bill, having passed the senate also, and received the imperial sanction, is now a law of the empire.

In returning my thanks to his excellency the Councilor Correia, &c., desire to add, also, my sincere congratulations on the passage of this beneficent law, which secures freedom to every human being hereafter born in Brazil.

The enactment of this law will be received with satisfaction by all nations, and no one of them will rejoice more than the people of the United States. They have already given proof of their support by their adoption of these same principles, which, through the patriotism and firmness of the Brazilian Chambers, and the enlightened wisdom of His Majesty the Emperor, have now passed into a law, as indispensable to the material progress of any nation as it is demanded by considerations of humanity and Christian charity.

And I take occasion to repeat to his excellency, the Councilor Senor Manoel Francisco Correia, the assurances of my complete consideration.