Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-12

Yesterday we gave an account, very generally,
e the facts which recently occurred between
,he BRAZILIAN government and the American
.n,bori,ies, in connection with the capture and
abandonment Of the brig Spark, commanded
Nv CAPTAIN Clark Of this port. A gentleman
Who is intimately acquainted with the whole
flair has given US further particulars OF this
,r,nssction. After considering it in the prop
= , noint of view, we are satisfied that our gov
srnmen,. as soon a. they shall become appraised
If The insults and injuries which the Brazilian
covernment has offered not only to Americans
55r, 10 the representative Of this republic al
Rio Janeiro-we are satisfied; we say, that
nromDt and explicif satisfaction will be de-
manded. The Brazilian power is the only mo-
n,rchy on this continents win they be pEmiit-
ed with IMMUNITY 10 imprison * manacfe free
citizens of the UuiledS,ates?
The facts Of the case are these:-The brig
Shark formerly belonged TO the u. s. Navy
When she sailed last year for the south she
wa. owned wholly by Captain Clark, who e.
ouipped her with view oil carrying her out 10
Rio Janeiro and offering her for sale to the
Brazilian government. A number OF guns was
part OF her cargo, bit they were slowed away
in The hold as ballast until she reached Rio.
Here they were brought on deck and mounted.
The authorities Of Rio looked At the brig but
declined purchasing They offered, however,
10 buy the guns, but Captain Clark declined
selling them without the vessel
Soon after this refusal was given an lmperi.
al decree was issued declaring that no armed
foreign merchant ships should be permitted to
mount more than a certain number OF guns on
Eeck. This order was intended entirely to
reach the Spark, for although there was a pre-
49, ID a., anforre ~ on other vessels nOtll-
ing took place to give any other construction
70 the order. The Captain OF the Spark, al
though it was very injurious TO him, landed all
his guns except four, which he retained Tor his
own protection. This was allowed by the
United States laws relative 10 pirates. Captain
Clark submitting to these things, then procur-
I'd a regular clearance al the Custom House oil
Rio Janeiro. and prepared TO sail for Montevi-
deo. which he did on Sunday, the 4th OF March.
Abou, the time Of sailing the Brazilian autholi.
ties sent a steam boat after the Spark, with Sc
cret orders to seize and brig her back TO port.
The steam boat filled with men fell in with the
Shark i'm ten fa;homs Of water, and commanded
her TO drop anchor The superior force com
pelled the Captain Of the Spark TO obey. The
Brazilians boarded the Spark, seized the men
and pu, two of them in irons. One oil tho latter
j, an American citizen, from Baltimore, where
his wife and family re.ide. His name is Dwyer
The Spark was carried back, ana her officer
made appiicstion 10 the American Charge
GAfairs respecting the affair. The Brazilian
minister Of Marine in reply TO the American
Charge d'Afairs, said he had "grievous suspi-
cjons" that Captain Clark and the brig were
engaged in some ~piralical expedition. The
minister also gave reason to believe that altho'
cleared out for Monte Video, it was intended to
sell the vessel to the Buenos Ayreans. 10 the
FIRST reply he added a great deal OF insult, so
much, that Mr. Racquet found 1t necessary 10
demand his passports for return. The .Amerl-
can Consul experienced the same treatment,
when he interfered abou, the restoration OF the
men: When the Brazilian steamboat captur-
ed the Spark, all the men Of the latter were en-
closed near the boiler of the former, with the
exception of The two that were manacled. The
observation-disclosures Of this situation was so
great, tina, one of the men got exhausted and
tainted. We also understand that The Brazil
ian authorities by confederating with the tav-
eru keepers at Rio, make a practice OF impress
ing American seamen, or which is The same
thing, conniving In such a way as to get them
in debt, and then force them. 10 enter the Bra
lillian navy The Baltimorean mentioned above
was hard pressed by two oil the Braz 'llan obi
GERS to enter their marine. They went so far
as TO promise him a boa,swain's birth.
In consequence ofthese shameful transactions
Of The Brazilian government, Captain Clark
had TO abandon his vessel altogether. She was
we learn, insured for about a third Of her value
in ,hi, ei,y-Sl2,ooo out of $4,000. This,
however. is but a single instance exhibiting the
conduct of the Brazilian government. The
manner they have treated the American Charge
d'Affairs and Consul has been very disrespect'
rul to this country. The Americans resident
IN Rio have, to a man, applauded the promp'
and energetic conduct Of Mr. Racquet. "A pub
lie dinner was to take place soon alter the M
nerva sailed, 10 which Mr. X. was 10 be speciat
ly invited previous to his departure for the Y
States. Judging from the whole eompiexioo
Of the affair, we are satisfied that there can oe
but one opinion on the conduct OF the Brazilian
government to our citizens.
Under the most shallow pretence they hrs'
issue an imperial decree against the brig Spark
Tor no other apparent, reason than the refusal Of
Capt. Clark to sell his guns 10 them. hen.
after1hs brig had regularly cleared, an armed
steamboat is sent out to capture her, which Is
effected. An american citizen is then thrown
i In irons. hecauee he will moi enter the fleet OF a