Manoel Francisco Correia to To His Excellency, October 2, 1872

Note from the imperial government to the Argentine government.

The undersigned, of the council of His Majesty the Emperor, minister and secretary of state for foreign affairs, has had the honor to receive the note which His Excellency D. Carlos Tejedor, minister of foreign affairs of the Argentine Republic, directed to him, under date of 25th ultimo, in reply to those of the imperial government of the 20th and 21st of July last. The minister says:

“The imperial government does justice to the republic in giving to the language and views of the note of the 27th of April the only interpretation compatible with the frank protests of pacific and friendly sentiments which are contained in it, and which it is gratifying to repeat on this occasion, since there was no intention to offend the amour propre and dignity of Brazil, but rather a desire to maintain the inviolability of the treaty of alliance in which is involved the public faith of three nations.

“The Argentine government, rendering equal justice to that of the empire, interpreted in the same spirit certain propositions, contained in the above-mentioned note of the 20th of June, which might have a less friendly meaning, (if not offensive, at least would seem contrary to the duties and obligations of the alliance,) and renders on her part due honor to the protests of friendship and the assurances which have been given to maintain the compromises of the treaty of the 1st of May.

The Argentine government, therefore, believes that, having made the requisite declarations on both sides, there is no convenience in prolonging a discussion which might postpone a cordial understanding, such as ought to subsist between allies who have fought side by side five years to secure peace in these regions; all of them (allies) being equally interested in maintaining those compromises to the end that there may be a fruitful and lasting peace.

“This consideration, and that of having resolved, before the reception of the above-mentioned notes, to send to the imperial government a minister of high character, and armed with full powers to adjust pending questions, induces the Argentine government to limit its reply to what is here expressed, referring for the rest to what that minister may have declared or may hereafter declare in its name.

“The Argentine government thinks that with the transference of the discussion to the arena of diplomacy it will be easier to maintain those cordial relations which might be endangered by a direct exchange of notes. Such notes, unexplained, might go beyond the benevolent intentions of both governments.”

With satisfaction the undersigned has received the assurance of the minister that the note of the 27th of April contained no intentional offense to the amour propre and dignity of Brazil, and has also observed the renewed expression of pacific and friendly sentiments of the government of the republic.

Although convinced that his previous notes contain no expression of opinion which will permit one to doubt that like sentiments of consideration and friendship are entertained by this government for the Argentine Republic, and notwithstanding he believes it has already been sufficiently proved that the imperial government desires to maintain the alliance which guarantees so many benefits to the two governments and to their neighbors, nevertheless the undersigned does not hesitate to renew here the expression of those same friendly declarations contained in previous notes.

It is agreeable to the undersigned, as well as Señhor Tejedor, to consider the present notes as closing the direct correspondence between the two governments, and to confide to the good will and prudence of plenipotentiaries whatever explanations may still he judged necessary, while at the same time they treat of the principal object of their mission, which will be the most perfect understanding or best agreement between the two governments upon the rights and obligations of the treaty of alliance of the 1st of May, 1865.

The undersigned has the honor to renew to the minister the assurances of his most distinguished consideration.