Salutations to the red Sultan of the Ottomanos,

I, a humble Minister of Finance from the Empire of Brazil, write to you personally as this is a matter regarding the Conference of Berlin. While we do not personally have observers present, we have been informed of certain comings and goings, and of course such an important event presents concerns even to us in the Americas. These concerns that we have involve not just the Imperial agenda, but more precisely friends of my own and of the Empire at the Banco do Brasil.

Talk of blanket abolition with the new wave of colonization in Africa has reached our ears, and more mundane matters of trade as well, this all posing a potential unfortunate damper on the Empire and the Banco do Brasil's revenue. We, or rather the Banco do Brasil as the Imperial Crown would rather not be directly involved, would be willing to help fund Turkish colonization and peacekeeping efforts in Africa with only a few meagre obligations, hopefully they are deemed fair as we would like to assist the only member of the Conference that is not an old European hoarder of power.

Our first and foremost complaint is that of overbearing abolition from Germany, we would wish see the Ottomans oppose this. While we do not know of your own personal thoughts regarding slavery, we would request that you oppose Germany imposing such legislation from abroad, so that each sovereign nation may impose their own laws as is only right in God's eyes. Abolition will come soon in Brazil, but not yet, as slaves and indentured servants remain a significant portion of the Brazilian economy, and of the Bank's owned interests. As I understand it, your Empire finds itself in similar circumstance. We must decide whether or not continued slavery is God's will on our own, yes?

Secondly, we would wish free use of African-based Ottoman ports and a mutually beneficial trade agreement regarding the many resources to be found in African colonies. Tariff-free for ships of Imperial Brazilian Navy, and those belonging to Banco do Brasil. You need not worry about any other Brazilian merchant ships, they are to be treated as any other. If this is found acceptable, please respond promptly, share your concerns and financial requirements candidly, and I shall contact Banco do Brasil's executive staff on your behalf.

Boa sorte,
Joaquim Gouveia
Finance Minister of Imperial Brazil

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You offer a most interesting proposal however until such time as we secure European support  for Ottoman control of Zanzibar their is little colonization to consider. We are prepared to offer the support you request but would like to discuss the quid pro quo.

While your offer is interesting, of more immediate import to the Ottomans is an extension of the Orient Express from Istanbul to Cairo. Perhaps we could come to an arrangement?

The Ottoman Representative

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Your reluctance to agree to anything prior to securing your claim on Zanzibar is understandable, it is regrettable that our offer of support is purely financial in nature. The Emperor might be interested in a political bid, but it is considered highly doubtful that we could secure our own position in the conference so we will 'keep it simple'. As for the details, we would be willing to pay several thousand British pounds directly to the colonial governments in port areas that we would benefit from, as long as these ports are properly maintained, the area secure from bandits on land and pirates at sea, and that our deal regarding a lack of tariffs, a steady flow of slaves and goods - is all honored. The specific amount will be up to the Banco do Brasil, as I understand the final sum will be based directly upon your own investment, built-up infrastructure, the size of your garrison and the frequency of naval patrols.

As for the railroad, I'm afraid that falls outside of our theoretical sphere of influence, and would fail to provide any substantial increase in revenue to us, so we must respectfully decline a place in that venture. Thank you, and good luck finding final compromise in the Conference, know that you have our support should you succeed.

Boa sorte,
Joaquim Gouveia
Finance Minister of Imperial Brazil

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Given Brazil's sole interest is financial perhaps there is an alternative arrangement that would suit both our needs.

Past fiscal mismanagement led to the Ottoman Public Debt Administration which levies high interest rates in addition to punitive fees on the Ottoman Empire.

If the Banco de Brazil were willing to take on the Ottoman debts we would be willing to maintain the current repayment schedule as it would benefit us in allowing us to repay the debt in 5 years instead of 4 (10,000 lira/year allocated to repayment instead of punitive fees) and Benefit Brazil from the large sums of interest from a secured creditor.

We would be willing (presumptive on our success) to offer the colony of Zanzibar as collateral on this loan as a guarantee for the Banco de Brazil.

Would this arrangement be of interest and within the means of the Bank?

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Greetings to the Esteemed Sultan of the Empire Ottoman,

This comes from the Office of Prime Minister Lafayette Pereira, having taken over negotiations from the Finance Office due to the nature of your counter offer. The Crown of the Empire of Brazil, in coordination with the Banco do Brasil and other private interests, will agree to take on this debt at the agreed upon terms, with only minor modifications. The punitive fees will be discounted, the full debt amount on your end will be owed the Empire of Brazil, to be paid out at a halved rate, 5,000 lira per annum, to ease the burden on the Ottoman Empire. It is recommended that the remainder is put towards infrastructure in Africa, but this is the Sultan's prerogative.

Zanzibar will be considered a public collateral asset, and the Empire of Brazil, in coordination with the Banco do Brazil and other anonymous funding partners, will retain the rights to secure this lien from any external threats. This is considered an important part to agree upon, as it is understood that there are conflicting claims upon Zanzibar within the Conference.

Emperor Dom Pedro the Second has laid these terms out personally, and will not accept any further negotiation. Please respond soon, Brazil would have many preparations to undergo should this deal be made manifest.

Bencaos,
Lafayette Pereira
Prime Minister of Imperial Brazil

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To Lafayette Pereira, Prime Minister of Imperial Brazil

    We are prepared to accept your terms. May this be the beginning of a new friendship between Asia and South America. We will remember your generosity when other may have looked down upon us for past faults. Once we have repaid the current debts we will remember our Brazilian friends should financing for major projects be needed in our future.

The Ottoman Representative

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