UPTON, Vice-Consul to Evarts, September 23, 1877

No. 8. Mr. Upton to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have the honor to report that the circular marked “Separate,” bearing date July 13 last past, signed by the Hon. William M. Evarts, Secretary of State, addressed to Charles E. Merry, esq., United States consul at Rio Grande do Sul, has been received in this consulate.

Mr. Merry has not yet returned to this port, nor do I think he will for some time. * * * I shall, therefore, with the least possible delay, after my general report, as exacted by the consular regulations, article 24, make a separate and special transmission in relation thereto, and to this end have already commenced gathering data, coupled with an experience of thirty years in this place; and I think I can give advisedly the information, so far as this province is concerned, to the patriotic note of the honorable Secretary of State.

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I am, &c.,