Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-06

I'D not be approved or Justified The President b
Is, the conduct was not disapproved by him c
are not, therefore, at liberty to presume that
81 was merely whimsical or cApricious. 1t would,
then, be highly satisfactory TO this nation to r
mayo the means ofjudging for themselves, whe-
ther tins novel step, taken by one who represent
ed their dignity, was justified BY the occasion or
not. Ca all this subject we wish Tor all that light
aud information, which the archieves OF our Go
vvernment can furnish, Because, although it is
hiShly satisfactory to know tina. the Chief Magis-
trate did not dsapprove OF the proceedings OF our
Lnvoy, yet the national honoris not repositcd ex-
clusively in hi5 bosom. ask for light, on a mat
Ter that may demand the supervisory action of Con-
Gress We know, from tAc current news of the
times, that our Minister was insulted, or conceiv-
cd himself TO be so, by the Government Of Brazil;
nat they attempted 60 dishonOr our national flag;
mat they have pushed on a system of paper block
AIDE, contrary to the law ofnations taken our mer
chandiSc, and mal;reatcd Seainen; and that the
carsoes of twenty-seven ships, owned by American
citizens, and navigated by American Seamen, are
now detained, contrary to the law of nations. !
Have we not, then, right to know what has been
done, TO redress these wrongs by the Executive |
branch Of the Government
1t is curious to observe that, in the CORES pom
dence between MIR. RGbello and the Secretary oil !
State, the first demand of the Brazilipn is that re
paration shall be made 10 his Government for an in
suit offered III the sudden departure of Mr. Ragu-
ct: That our Government shall dsapprove of Ra- !
guets conduct,n 1Driting, and appoint a success
sorwho WILDE received with the respect due to his
character. The hole afair is quietly settled and
closed up, before our own unfortunate Minister is
heard seen, although at this very date and SOM,
days before, he had landed at Jew York. But
alas, notwithstanding the soft words of Mr.. Rebello
a constant scene OF aggression has been going on
ever since upon our commerce. The nation wish
tu know, officially what Is the state OF the conrO
versy: How far the Brazilian Government has ad
vanced her prctcnsions on the subject of paper
blockade, and how far our Government have ac
ceded. 1t is not only The right of this House, but
ii is its imperative duty to know, how fat Our ct
zens, engaged in commerce, receive that protec-
ton from the Government, TO secure which, was
one OF the great euds OF the Constitution. And il
surely does not the color of assumption in US
who have contended, successfully, for the trident
with the former mistress of the ocean, maintain
that ii shall not be rendered useless powerless in
our grasp, by one of the new Governments of the
South. When man is at home, in the midst of his
friends, and surrounded by accustomed scenes he
bears misfortune with frmnesS. The very con-
seriousness that he treads upon the soil of his coun-
try,nervcs his resolution and carries consolation to
his bosom. But, when he is in land OF strangers
and roll between him and his home, il is then
that he looks for protection TO the moral greatness
and physical power OF his Government 1t is Their
he heaves a sigh, when his country forsakes him
and dc MES that assistance which it is the first end
OF all Governments to secure. hope the resolution
will pass.
MT. Everett replied follows: l will not at
tempt, MIR. Speaker, elaborate answer to the
gentleman, on the several topics at which he has
glanced. But it is my duty 10 the Committee OF
Foreign Affairs, and TO the House, TO make one or
TWO suggestions on the SUBJECT. ANA, IrSt: L must
say word IN reply TO the remark OF the gentle |
man, touching matter not imme diately involved |
In his resolution. He says, the Committee OF Fo- |
reign Affairs gave the qlHetUs TO the complaints |
OF Mr.. Racquet, and doomed them to oblivion. Sir
i is quite fair account of the proceedings of the
Committee of Foreign Aiflrs that subject
How did they give the 9uietus to Mr. Raguet's
complaints! BY an ample and decided vindica-
ton of his character, toaching the srbject-matter
II those complaints. What were his coniplaints'
They were, that his character had been tradgced
by foreign journalist; that, in gazette, publish
- ~ hto de janeiro, and said (ilisIy for aupht
know TO enjoy the coHGdencs ofUIe brazilian Co
yernment, he had been accused of conduct u..bc-
coming man Of probty and honor What was the
quietuS which the Committee Of Foreign Affairs
gave TO MIR. Raguets complaints of these char
Ses? They reported that they believed them un-
founded and ibelous without shadow Of truth:
that his character was unimpcached; that the Ex-
ecutye Government of his country had not
disapproved his conduct. which they believed had
been acuated by honest and patriotic motives and
that the libellouS aspersons OF anonymous 70
reign Journalist were beneath the notice of the
Congress OF the United States What other G1lie-
IT'S could the gentleman wish TO be given TO a
charge against friend, constituent, or a fellow
citizen? {
With regard to the Other and more important
point-the expectancy of moving the resolution at
this time-the gentleman has pursued a fair and
parliamentary course. IL it can be made out that
ihe Government Of the United States is not repre-
scented at the Court OF Brazil; and if there is rood
lccted its duty TO the citizens of the country,
suffering in that quarter it is then unquestionabiy
not merely the right, but the bounden duty Of
the House, TO call the President to account for so
strange and gross neglect. What is the proof
which the gentleman adduces of this fact? pro.
test Of the American citizens iDjurousIy detaned
at Monte Fideo, by the operation OF the BRAZILIAN
laws; which protest is addressed to their country
men at home, and not 10 any Representative of
the American Government, at the court OF Brazil
From this argument, the gentleman iniers that
tine GoveTnm, mt Of the United States is unrepre- {
sented there, and i, not taxing the proper me4-
sures TO procure indemnity our citizens ior the
losses they have suffered. Sir, is tuis sail facto-
~ argument Ii is matter OF publicity, that sue
eessor 10 MIR. Racquet Was appointed last year, a q
gentleman then American Consul at Lima a re- q
mote P!ece, 10 which, Intelligence OF the appoint
Incnt would be long IN arriving, and from which, e
also. 1t would take him a considerable time TO !
reach the place Of hi, destination He did, howe
yer, accept the appointment, and departed for the
place Of MS destination; and 4 know OF no reason
80 think that the negotiation will not be pursued a
by him to a successful issue d
The gentleman had referred TO a passage in the
message Of the President at the opening Of the list
session OF Congress, apparently to support he in I'd
tIIsaton, that, the Executive Indifferent 10 %
che Illegal course which had been pursued y | "a
the Government OF Brazil. II is true that, ia tho +
passage 10 the message to which the gentleman e &;
fsrred, the President remarks IN general terms "
States and the American Governments. But b
10 another passage, in tie same message, The Pre-
silent particularly mentions the unWafr3ntdblc o
principles Of blockade, assumed by the Brazilian n
Government, and TIE resistance made To- those %
principles BY naval officers; and that message