Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-07-18
sTATEpApERs.
- - a l. al E>fN--
Differences be.wco,-Spaia and Portugal.


Brazil, in invadin. the Spanish possessi
ons on the River Plate, has occupied the
attention of Europe AS much on account
OF the act itself, as on account oftlfe pc
Rod at which il was done. All nations
were convinced that the profoundeSt
peace was necessary To heal the deep
wounds which had been the consequence
ut so many years ct war and revolution.
Yet this was the moment which the Court
OF Brazil chose to invade the territories OF
IFS neighbour. The Spanish Govern
ment on this occasion, acted with the
greatest prudence and moderation-and
the Allied Powers afforded fresh proof
OF their generous ideas and their pacific
Intentions. The following noie from the
Ministers Of Austria, France, Great Bri-
tain, Prussia and Russia, delivered TO the
Marquis de Aguiar, his Most Faithful
Maiesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs, is
a document perfectly we'll calculated TO
tranquilze the public mind, and to in
ducc hope that the Court Of Brazil, a.
dopting the principles of legitimacy and
Justice Upo8 which, the present system of
the world is founded, will avoid compro-
missing herselfto the Allied Powers. The
good faith and digpiiied character Of his
Catholic Majesty are most apparent on
this occasion. The decisive language Of
the Ministers from whom the following
noe has proceeded, will prove the opini-
on of their respective Sovereigns in favor
of Spain-and that their relations with
her arc as fixed and solid as they can be
between Powers the most intimately con-
nected.
Note from the Monster of the Medintine,
Courts to the Marquis D'Gniur, Secresa-
ruGf State for Foreign Afairs to his
Most Faithful Majesty
PARIS, l6tl, of March, 1877.
=" The occupation of a part of the Spa
nish possession on the River Plate by the
Portuguese troops of Brazil was no soon
er known in Europe, than it was the oh
lect of official and simultaneous steps ia
ken by the Cabinet of Madrid with the
courts OF Vienna, Paris, London, Berlin,
and St Petersburgh, in order to protest
solemnlv against such an aggression
6 Perhaps the Court of Madrid might
have thought herself entitled to recur AT
once to the means of defence which pro-
violence has placed in her hands, and TO
repe force by force.-Bu,, guided bv a
spirit ct wisdom and moderation, she was
DESTROYS first of employing the means of
neSociation and persuasion, and she pre-
ferred, Notwithstanding the disadvantage
that might result TO her possessions be-
yond sea. addressing herself to the five
aforementioned powers, i'm order 10 an
amicablc adjustment of her differences
with the Court of Brazil, and to avoid
a rupture, the consequence of which
might be equally disastrous TO the two
countries, and might disturb the repose
OF both hemispheres.
SO noble a resolution could not but
meet with the entire appreciation of The
Cabinets to which the court of Spain has
addressed herself: and animated witt,
the desire of preventing the fatal conse-
quences that might result from the pre-
cent state of affairs, the Courts OF Austria
France, Great Britain, Prussia, and Rus
STA, equally the friends Of Portugal and
Spain, after having taken into considera-
ton the just claims of the latter power,
have charged the undersigned to make
known TO bis Most Faithful Majesty:
That they have. accepted the media
ton demanded of them BY Spain.
=" That they have seen with real pain.
and not without surprise, that at the very
moment when a double marriage seemed
TO bind more closely the family ties al
ready existing between the Houses Of
Braganza and Bourbon, and when such
an alliance was TO render the relations be-
tween the two countries more intimate
and more friendly, Portugal has invaded
the Spanish possessions OH the River
Plate, and invaded them without anv ex-
PLANTATION whatever, and without any pre-
vious declaration.
That the principles of equity and
Justice which direct the councils of the
i've courts, and the firm resolution they
have adopted to preserve as much as in
Their power the peace oftie world, pur-
chased by such great sacrifices, have de-
mi 1off 10 al,
part IN this affair, in the intention of ter
minating it in the most equitable man
ner, and most coniormasle 10 their de-
sire of maintaining the general tranquil
liy,;;
That the said courts do not dssem-
bic that difference between Portugal
and Spain might disturb that peace and
occasion a war i'll Europe, which might
be- Bot only disastrous to the two conn
tries, but incompatible with the interests
and tranquility ofEurope.
That in consequence they have resol.
we'd TO make known TO the government of
ofhis most faithful majesty, their senti-
ments or this subject, to invite him 10
furnish sufficient explanations upon his
views, 10 take the most prompt and pro.
per measures TO dIssipate the just alarms
which his invasion of the American pos
sessions ofSpain has already caused in Eu-
rope, &to satisfy the rights claimed by the
latter power, as well as those principles
Of justice and impartiality which guide
the mediators. A refusal to Weld TO
such demands would leave no doubt with
respect TO the real intentions of the cabi-
net of Rio Janeiro. The disastrous ct.
fec's that might result 10 the two lemis-
phercs would be imputed entirely 10 Por-
tugaI and Spain after having seen all
Europe applaud her wise and moderate