Joáo Lustosa de Cunha Paranagua to James Watson Webb, April 8, 1868

Senhor Paranagua to Mr. Webb.

The undersigned, of the council of his Majesty the Emperor, minister and secretary of state for affairs of war, and ad interim of foreign affairs, has before him the note which, under date of 27th January last, General James Watson Webb, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, was pleased to address to him, renewing the offer of good offices of the government of the United States for the termination of the war with Paraguay, and the proposals for mediation, which, with this object, were presented in a note of 21st January, of the year last past.

As I declared to General Webb when I acknowledged the reception of his note of the 27th, I had to hear from the allies of the empire before giving a definitive answer.

This obligation of loyalty discharged, I now have the honor to state to the general, after thanking him in the name of the imperial government for this fresh proof received of the friendly feelings of the people and government of the United States towards Brazil, that the same reasons continuing which were already explained in the note from this department of the 26th of April of last year, which would prevent the government of Brazil and her allies from accepting at that time the first proposition of the United States, and, beyond that, the close of the war approaching, as was to be hoped from the important fact of the passage of Humaita, and the events which have followed, the same government cannot at this day act differently. Thus, therefore, the imperial government thanks, but feels that it cannot accept the generous proffer which is made to it, and trusts that the United States will acknowledge that she is justified in her action.

The undersigned avails of the occasion to offer to General Webb the reiterated assurances of his highest consideration.