The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-11 00:00:00

sident of the Province of Bahia

Sir,—This morning a steamer anchored in this port bear-
ing the flag adopted by those who are involved in the rebel•
lion against the Government of the United States of Ame-
rica, and I am informed that the said vessel is the Florida,
which is engaged in capturing vessels navigating under the
flag of the United States of America, and in destroying
them by making bonfires of them and their cargoes.
The ♦essel in question is not recognised by any recog-
nised Government whatever, and her officers and crew are
composed of persons of various nationalities, who are not
subject to any in'ernational or civilised law, and are conse-
quently not entitled to the privileges and immunities con-
ceded to vessels navigating under the flag of a civilised
nation. I therefore protest, in the name of the United States
of America, against the admission of this vessel to free prac-
tice, by which she might be enabled to supply herself with
coal, provisions, tackle, or utensils of any kind whatever,
or receive on board any persona whatever ; finally, against
any assistance, aid, or protection which might be conceded
to her in this port, or in any other belonging to this province.
I likewise claim that the pinttical,cruiser which, in com-
bination with the pirate Alabama, violated the sovereignty
of the Imperial Government of Brazil, by capturing and de-
stroying vessels belonging to citizens of the United States
of America, within the territorial waters of Brazil, near the
island of Fernando de Noronha, in April, 1863, be detained
with all her officers and crew, in order to answer far so
flagrant a violation of the sovereignty of the Government of
Brazil and of the rights of citizens of the United States
within the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Government.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your Excel-
lency the assurance of my distinguished consideration.—l
have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, your
obedient servant,

THOMAS F. WILSON,
Consul of the United States.
(The above agrees with the original in. English.)
(Signed) A. S. ROGERS, interpreter.

ANSWER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PROVINCE.
Palace of the Government of the Province of Bahia,
October t , 1861.
In a rote dated this day, Mr Thomas F. Wilson, Consul
of the United States, claims that the steamer Florida, now
anchored in this port, shall not be admitted to free praotice,
nor obtain permission to provide herself with coal, provi-
sions, Jupplies, and utensils of any kind whatever, nor re-
ceive on board any person whatever; he likewise requests,
that as this cruiser, in combination with the Alabama,
violated the sovereignty of the Imperial Government of
Brazil, by capturing and destroying vessels belonging to
citizens of the United States of America, within the terri-
torial waters of the Empire, near the island of Fernando de
Noronha, in April, 1863, she may be detained, with all her
officers and crew, in order to answer for this flagrant viola-
tion of the sovereignty of the Government of Brazil and of
the rights of citizens cf the United States, within the juris-
diction of the Brazilian Government.
In reply to the Consul, I have to inform him, that as the
said vessel belongs to the Confederate States, in whom the
Imperial Government recognised the character of bellige-
rents, all the assistance required by humanity may be fur-
nished her, which does in no wise constitute assistance for
warlike purposes, as laid down by international law, and
does not conflict with that neutrality which this Govern-
ment studiously seeks to preserve, and has always preserved,
in the contest between the States of North America. The
undersigned cannot, therefore, admit the first portion of the
claim of the consul, in the general manner in which it was
presented, and particularly in relation to these articles con-
sidered as contraband of war in conformity with instructions
is :tied on that subject by the Imperial Government, and
according to which the said vessel will only be permitted to
remain in this port for a length of time absolutely indis-
pensable.
In regard to the second part of his note, it is my duty
to observe to the Consul that even if it were fully esta-
blished that the Florida had previously violated neutrality,
such a proceeding would scarcely authorise us to refuse
her permission to enter the ports of the empire, and cculd
never warrant us to commit the acts required by the Consul,
which would be equivalent to a hostile rupture, without the
intervention of the Supreme Government of State, which is
alone competent to authorise such a rupture.
I renew to the Consul the assurance of my esteem and

consideration.
(Signed) ANTONIO JOAQUIM DA SILVA. GONIES
To Mr Thos. F. Wilson, Consul of the United States.

INTERRUPTION OF RELATIONS 'WITH THE AMERICAN
CONSUL,
palace in the Government of Bahia.
Oct. 7, 1864.

Sir,—The undersigned having been informed of the seri-
ous outrage perpetrated by the steamer Wachusettet of the
United States of North America, in violating the neutrality
of the empire and contemning its sovereignty, by capturing
treacherously and under shade of the night,within the very
port of this capital, the steamer Florida of the Confederate
States—and, as in addition to the mcst sacred regulations ot
international law observed among civilised nations, prohibit-
ing the commission of such reprehensible acts by civilised'
nations, the undersigned regarded as a pledge of respect
for the neutrality of Brazil the word of honour of Mr T. F.
Wilson, the Consul of the United States of North America,
who, in the most explicit terms, undertook to secure a com-
pliance on the part of the captain of the said steamer Wachu -
setts with his duty by respecting the sovereignty of the em-
pire and by abstaining from all hostile acts whatever within
its territorial waters—the undersigned cannot refrain from
protesting solemnly and energetically against the outrage
alluded to, and the more so as he considers the Consul him-
self as implicated therein, -inasmuch as, nothwithstanding
his formal promise, he has volunteered no explanation tend-

•
ing to diminish his responsibility.
And as the occurrence, and the silence hitherto observed
on the subject by the Consul of the United States, evidently
prove that the undersigned can no longer confide in the
said Consul to cause the neutrality and sovereignty of the
empire to be respected by the belligerent vessels of the said
States, he has resolved to interrupt official relations with
him, until the Imperial Government, which is about to be
informed of this unexpected and deplorable event, shall
have deliberated on the subject, in full possession of all the
facts and according to its superior wisdom. The Consul is
likewise hereby notified, that positive orders have been to-
day issued to the different authorities to refuse admission to
the Wachusetts into any of the ports of this province. For
this purpose the most energetic and forcible means will to
employed (according to the instructions of the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of June 23 of last year), if Buell shall be
rendered necessary by the rtlucianee and ethnical obsti-
nacy manifested by that steamer in failing to comply with
the intimations conveyed to her, thus continuing to in-
fringe upon the duties imposed by international law and
►he honour and dignity of her own flag.
ANTONIO JOAQUIM PA SILVA GOMES.

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THE LATE MYSTERIOUS DEATH IN THE GREEN
PARK.—The governors of St. George's hospital have taken
this case into consideration. The man had died from
wounds upon his head and body, but it had not been
clearly shown whether he had received them More ho was
received into the hospital or after he was taken away by
the police. If, instead of being intoxicated, he was insen-
sible from the \sounds, the hospital officials would have been
culpable of neglect. The medical committee have reported
to the general board that they believe there were no wounds
upon the man when first brought to the hospital, and that
he had been treated with every proper care, while in the
I charge of the hospital officials.