The Sun.
London, England, 1822-01-29 00:00:00

SOUTH AMERICAN PRIVATEERS.

it has been mentioned that steps had been
taken at Buenos Ayres to put a stop to the
system of privateering, or rather piracy, which
has prevailed under the flag of that and others of
the South American States. We now publish
the following official correspondence on that sub-
ject, between Mr. Foancs, the
.Agent of the
United States, and Mr. itivAnAvlA, the Secre-
tary of State for the Government of Buenos Ayres,
together with the Decree by which the letters of
marque are recalled, or placed under better re-
gulations :

MR. FORBES TO MR. RIVADAVIA.

" Buenos Ayres, Sept. 14, 1821.

" SlR—Although I have been more than ten months in this
city, I have never until now found a moment when, under all
circumstances, I deemed it expedient to lay before this Govern-
ment the sentiments and views of that of the United States, in
relation to many interesting subjects contained in the instrue-
tions I received on my departure from Washington. On the
recent organization of this Government, I intimated to you the
desire to hold a full and frank conference, which you had the
goodness to promise me at the commencement of the past
month ; but which has been unavoidably delayed by your more
pressing occupations.

" Appreciating, as I, do, the great and efficient efforts now
making by you in the cause of your country, I should mast
willingly continue to wait your convenience for the proposed
conference, were I not impelled by recent information to press
on the early attention of this Government one of the subjects on
which lam instructed by that of the United States.-1 mean
the indiscriminate violences which are daily committed on the
ocean against the peaceful commerce of unoffending nations,
under the various flags of the South American provinces.
" It is now a long tune since those violences have called forth
the most pointed reprobation of many Governments in Europe,
and of that of the United States. Several Governments have
made active efforts to repress them by force. Those efforts
have been unavailing. Those privileged plunderers
" Can add colours to the carnelian,
" Change shapes with Proteus for advantage.
" There is nothing fixed but the blackness of their purpose,
and the boldness of their atrocities. They are furnished by
various commissions, and navigated with crews of men with-
out country, without morality, and without .other ties than
those of crime and plunder. By the privateering regulations
of Buenos Ayres, a privateer owned here, or commissioned by
this Government, who shall be furnished with a commission
from any other prince or republic, even if allied with this,
" shall be adjudged a good prize, and her captain or comman-
der punished as pirates." It is therefore under the sanction of
its own laws that I presume to call for the early and efficacious
intervention of this Government to vindicate those violated laws.
But, Sir, it is above all, front a full faith in those sentiments of
honour, that love of order and justice, which so eminently dis-
tinguish every step of the present Administration, that I derive
the strongest hope that this call will not be disregarded.
" The public Gazettes recently received from the United
States contain several well-authenticated statements of new out-
rages committed by these freebooters, whose numbers are multi-
plied, and the boldness of their wicked enterprises increased, by
their impunity. I will not swell this written communication
by any extracts from the information received ; but hope, that
at an early day, it will be convenient for .you to admit me to a
personal conference, when I shall be happy to communicate with
you, in that spirit of frankness which is the best pledge of friend-
ship, as well the facts in my possession, as the feelings of the
Government of the United States, on this highly interesting and
importhrAsubjett,,,,,t,
,
I avail myself with' eafiure'd this occasion to renew to
you, Mr. Minister, the assurances of the most distinguished.
consideration and respect.
011#16,5,
(Signed) .10;r:"L" ,J. M. FORBES.
" agent of the U. S. of N. A.
" To the Hon. Mr. RivaSaila, Munster of Foreign :Affairs,
- " Buenos-Ayree'
MR. RITADAVIA TO MR. FORBES.
" Buenos-Ares, Sept. 10, 1021.
" The Minister of Government and } oreign Relations has
had the honour of receiving the official note from the Agent to
the United States, under yesterday's date ; and he considers it
as his particular duty to make an.acknowledgment of the ho.
nourable distinction the said Agent shews towards him.
" 'With respect to the principal affair therein contained, lie
can only repeat -what lie had the satisfaction to make him ac-
quainted with in his last interview; which si as, that the Govern-
ment had adopted every measure in its power to suppress the evils
committed by privateers of this country towards the commerce
of neutral nations, from the abuse of their commissions. Never-
theless, the Minister of Government and Foreign Relations,
feeling desirous of contributing towards the completion of these
measures, as far as they are capable of being made perfect, he
will be happy to receive an farther explanation on this sub-
ject that the agent of the United States may think proper to
give him. For which purpose, it will be taken as an honour
if the Agent would take the trouble to call on the Minister at his
house,. on Monday morning, the 17th instant, at eleven o'clock.
The Minister of Government and Foreign Relations expresses,
his thanks to the Agent for the distinction he confers upon him,
and begs to return it by the assurances of his consideration and.
respect.

(Signed) " B. RIVADAVIA.
" To J. M. Forbes, Esq., Agent of the United States."
" MR. RIVADAVIA TO MR. FORBES.
" Buenos-Ayres, Oct. C, 1821.
" In consequence of the offer made by the Minister of (Jo.
vernment and Foreign Relations to the Agent of the Unitsd.
States, he has the honour of transmitting him a copy of a de-
cree issued by the War and Navy Department, respecting pri-
vateering. With the Minister's consideration and respect, he:
remains, Sa.,

(Signed) " B. RIVADAVIA.
" To J. M. Forbes, Esq., Agent to the United
States of North America.
DECREE.

" DEPARTMENT or WAR.—One of the resources which
the unfortunate rights of war have made legal, and its. object
necessary, is privateering.
" The war of the independence of the provinces of Holland
' and that df the United States of North America have proved
this kind of hostility to be the most advantageous for a, couatry
that prepares to defend its independence against a Mora ancient
and remote country that has governed it.
" It is impossible to foresee or repress any abuse that may be
occasioned by privateering. The Government that finds itself
under the painf'ul.necessity of authorizing, and even promoting,
this system of warfare, has but two means whereby it can lessen
its illegal consequences, and consequently is 'only bound by two
obligations respecting it. The first is to dictate such regula-
tions, and take' such precautions, as may correct those abuses.,
not suiThring them to be committed with impunity. In this re-
spect the Government has fulfilled its duty. The privatecring
regulations prove it. The second is to put au end to this kind
of warfare as soon as it beconies no longer necessary, or. when
the result does not compensate for the risks and difficulties it
may produce. The Government considers these two events to
have arrived, and. consequently has agreed upon, and decrees,
the following Articles :___.
" let. In future no letter of marque and reprisal shall be-
granted, without previously and solemnly publishing the ,cause,
that obliges the Government to have recourse to the measure.
" 2d. Every person within the territory of this province who-
may be in possession of any letter of marque must present it.
to the Minister of the Navy within 15 days from the date of
this decree.
" 3d. Those persons in countries situated beyond the equi-
noctial line, or on the east of the Pacific, must present-said let-
ter of marque at the Navy-office within eight months.
" 4th. The securities given shall become responsible for the
fulfilment of•the two foregoing articles.
" sth. Every commander of a privateer, cruising in virtue .of
a letter of marque, granted by any of the Governments that
have existed in this capital, at sight of this decree, shall cease to
cruise, and shall put into port to disarm, and return the license:
" 6th. Any one who shall transgeess the foregoing article.'
will incur the guilt of piracy.
" 7th. Every privateer that shall continue to cruise after
the expiration of eight months- from the date of this- decree,
autlunized by licenses from the Government of. this country, ,
will be treated as a pirate.
" Bth. The Minister of War and Navy is charged with the
execution of this decree.

(Signed) " MARTIN RODRIGUEZ.
" Buenos Ayres, Oct. 6, 1821."