Partridge to To the Councillor José Maria da Silva Paranhos, Now Viscount de Rio Braneo, President of the Council, and Prime, August 26, 1871
Mr. Partridge to Mr. Fish
Sir: Inviting your reference, in connection herewith, to Mr. Wright’s Nos. 164, 167, 174, 178, and 185, I beg to send you, annexed hereto, a translation of a note received from the foreign office here, dated July 22, 1871, in reply to Mr. Wright’s last note to this government, of the 3d of June, in reference to the property found in the house (No. 95 Calle de Justiça) at Asuncion, and which had been occupied by the United States minister to Paraguay.
It will be seen that the Brazilian government, while declining to admit responsibility for the articles stated to have been left in that house, of which they had no knowledge until their troops entered the place, and their officers had a few days afterward taken account thereof, nevertheless renew their offer, previously made in the note of the 31st of May, to restore the box (labeled “Legation of the United States”) as soon as found, “together with the other objects found in that house.”
Mr. Correia has since informed me, in conversation, that the box has been found; but he added he could not say at that moment what “other objects” were embraced in that term, or what sum of money would be included, since it appeared from other proofs that the money and jewels found there (as set forth in the official lists, of which a translation is annexed and marked B) belonged to those who could have no right to reclaim them from this government.
I presume, however, from the last paragraphs of the annexed note, that they will surrender everything now existing here, and which they admit, from their list, was found in that house.
I will in a few days request Mr. Correia to deliver to the consul, for me, all such property; and will send such books, boxes, papers, &c., among them, as belong to the United States legation in Paraguay, to Mr. Stevens at Montevideo, by the Ticonderoga, or the first vessel which goes there.
I am, &c.,