them, and as the island of Trinidad, which has been abandoned for
years, certainly belongs to the aforesaid category, his Serene
Highness Prince James I was authorized to regard his rights on the
said island as perfectly valid and indisputable.

"Nevertheless, your Excellency knows that recently, in spite of all
the legitimate rights of my august sovereign, an English war-ship
has disembarked at Trinidad a detachment of armed troops and
taken possession of the island in the name of England.

"Following this assumption of territory, the Brazilian Government,
invoking a right of ancient Portuguese occupation (long ago
outlawed), has notified the English Government to surrender the
island to Brazil.

"I beg of your Excellency to ask of the Government of the United
States of North America to recognize the Principality of Trinidad
as an independent State, and to come to an understanding with the
other American Powers in order to guarantee its neutrality.

"Thus the Government of the United States of North America will
once more accord its powerful assistance to the cause of right and
of justice, misunderstood by England and Brazil, put an end to a
situation which threatens to disturb the peace, re-establish concord
between two great States ready to appeal to arms, and affirm itself,
moreover, as the faithful interpreter of the Monroe Doctrine.

"In the expectation of your reply please accept, Excellency, the
expression of my elevated consideration.