Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-05-22
Erfract Of a letter from Gentleman Of Paaa
deiphia ddted
RIO JANEIRo, 9th March, L


RIO JANEIRo, oh March, 1927
To tbs Errors of the Philadelphia Gazette.
The American big Spark. of New York,
commanded by Captain Charles Clark, was on
the 4th of this month captured and forcibly aiken
possession oil by the Brazilian Government YES
sci called he Britannia and has been bfcusb' into
port for adjudication!
ms pira ical act (for such it really is) of the
Brazilian Government, added 10 the many insults
which have been offered The Auie' ican Flag
by The Brazilian Nation,Is source OF notification
to ali our coun'rymen here; and we hofa that
this, amongst the many outrSges Uhleh haze
been committed, viii not 90 overlooked by the
Government OF the United States.
The Spark (fofneri, in the service of the Uni
ted States) arrived at this port about Jour weeks
since with cargo of -four, Sc from New York.
I understand tina the main object In sending This
vessel to RIO was 10 sell her 10 the Brazilian Co
vernmen, She moun,ei IL carriage guns and was
compile ely fitted for ma" CT war
Soon after her arrival here she offered for
sale, bu, the Government were not Inclined 10
purchase her Finding that sale uf her could
go be effected here, Captain Clark CONCLUDED, to
20 to Moniey!deo. A feo days before the Spark
wa ready TO sail, the Government ordered her
land all the guns she had hoard which were
not specified In her clearance. understand that
eight Of her gems put on board a. ballast and
that the rest were bonded Tor at the New York
custom house.] The Sparks guns accord
insiy landed The vessel was regularly adverii-ed
10 sail fof hioDteyideo, and hid quantity OF
eight and WE'VE passengers male end female,
engaged On the Sd inst. she ciear Ell at the Gus
tom house los aIonievideo, and he At go' un-
der weigh, and before LeGvs3g tie harbour wa,
examined, as Is aly, ays customary By the Ulcers
OF The port; her paper were found correct and
she proceeded Ia After heing at sea i've
hours ard distant about twelve miles from 'heland.
the Spark was boarded by officer aud 90 armed
men from the Bi azilian Government armed Steam
Boat Britsnia and forthwith ordered 10 Rio de ia
NERO prize ~
Upon Captain ClarS's demonstrating against this
OUTRAGEOUS proceeding, the officer exhibited his
authority from his Imperial Msjrsty'S Minister of
Marine to capture and take possession of tie Anne
rcan big Spark, & 10 bring her into this port The
vessel being captured aud in possession OF n for
egn crew, Captain Clark ordered that the Ameri-
can Flag which was then fying at the peak, should
be hauled down. The two vessels were
chored by order of the Brazilian officer, and when
The sea breeze sci in, which in few hours
after the Sparks cable aoas cnt by order of the
Brazilian officer. and at about . 2. NJ. OF the 18th
inst. she arrived in this harbour and was anchored
under the guns OF The SO Pedro PrimeIo" Brazilian
~.
The Brazilian Gov eminent charge Capt. Clark
with having Buenos Ayrean commission. AN
this charge is false; and that il Captain Carks
intention TO have sold the brig at Monteyideo to
whoever might have sought proper purchase
her.
The nfamy of the proceedings On the part Of
shs government is manifest They allow The Spark
to clear at the Custom House-,o psss all the foris
20 proceed TO sea, with her papers all in regular
order, s. three hours before she (ibe Spark sailed
the armed steam boat despatched by order of
off
on The high seas Immediately upon her arrival
here the government ordered her crew on board
the Pedro Prn,ero az Prsonersi and the same au-
thority has ordered that the vessel be discharged
and that all the captains trunks, Sc. be broken
open and examined They have commenced a gen.
ersl pillage, and capt Clark, American citizen,
commander Of an American vessel, and having
American property under bis charge, has no alter
native but 10 submit to this fragrant and Infamous
outrage
1t il general question here, Whit: will the
government of the u States safTer this gross in
suit 10 her flag this prstical TO pass unnotic-
ed? Mortlfying as il is, the Americans here, one |
and all are cou PEELED 10 say, Yes!
Ii NAV be asked where is the American SQUAD
ron which was Sent TO the BTaZilian coast '' for
the protection OF American commerce in that
We answer, that the United States |
ship Cyane wa. here at The time the Spark was
III
fifty squadTons here they would be of avail. 1t
must doubtless be source of modification 10 the
gallant naval commanders on this station TO see
the insults which have been offered to the Ameri- !
can Flag by the Brazilian Government, and not to
be able to redress them. IL would certainly be
more 10 the credit Of the American Government
N retain their vessels Of war a. home than 10 des-
patch them % this coast for the I" protection Of
merican commerce. with such orders are s-
'ued 10 heir commanders.
II is due 10 Captain Elliott OF the Cyane TO |
,ste, ,ba Immediately upon learning bat the
Spari, hs: been captured and brought into his port,
a Flares of ,he u. s.. wishing to know wbeher
Dis pfe.ence would be required; to which Mr.. RIA |
,uei replied that il would not.
II The insult which has been offered TO the Ane- |
cau Gag by the capture Of the Spark, was the oh.
= infringement Of neutral rights which has been }
1ractispJ by bis Imperial Majesty on American
commerce, 1t might be paliaied; but there many
,thcr cases--some Of them equally gross which the
american Government have thought proper 10
overlook.
The Government Of the United States have. (
oDg since, been IN possession Of the facfS TeIa- 4
i've 10 ibese cases communicated officially by the 1
Charge d'AfTancs near this court) and az yet have
AIKEN no steps to enforce this government 10 do !
Justice TO he citizens OF Tie II s., although the /
President ih hs Message . has reason 10 believe !
rom he friendly disposition constantly manifested
BY IBIS Imperial Majesty, the reparation dcHIaiIded
Tor the injuries sustained by ouT citizens, will not
be withheld"
One Of the ssamsn Of The Spark, whose name il Z
James Wyefs Of Philadelphia, is now detained on
board The Brazilian Admifai's ship, and h confined
b 9cf7s iTo1. Tho tqsol Of 'ae ~. sisf's, Up- /.