Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-05-01

The FALKLAND IsLANDs-DIsrUTE WITH BUeNos
AYREs-Thc Falkland Islands, lying to the East
ward of Cape Horn, and once the famous bone of
contention between Great Britain and Spain. are
likely to prove the subject of controversy between
the United States and the Government of Brcnos
Ayres, which lays claim to them as a conquest
from old Spain. AS the affair is attracting some
attention, and may attract more, we present the
following intelligent and temperate history of its
origin and investigation Of the merits of the claim
of Bucnos Ayrcs, from the New York Commercial.
The FALKLAND IsLANDs.-Wc are indebted for
the subjoined communication to gentleman
whose long residence, in South America has ena
bled Inn to become accurately and thoroughly ac-
qualntcd with the history of passing cvcnts and
with the character OF the people As to the facts
stated by him, such OF them may be questioned
were sworn to in Bucnos Ares by the CAPTAIN of
the llarrGt.-The remarks on The question of the
right to the fisheries appear TO us to be sound and
unanswcrable. The general reflections on the poll
tical feelings ofthosc South Americans are tincfu
red with more severity than should like to in
dulgc in ourselves; but fear they are mo re than
half true.-Ed Conn Adu.
FOR TIE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.
Having recently arrived in this country from
Buenos Ayrcs, and being acquainted more or less
with the Jdcts III relation to the Falkland Islands
affair, take the liberty to submit the following
brlet summary for publication, should you deem il
OF interest to the public
Sometime iii the year 1929, the then ins,lrrcction
airy government of the Province Of Bucnos Ayros
= not OF the United Provinces of the Rio dc la Pla
Ia, Harmed out, for term Of years, to a foreign
er by the name of Vcrnct, who is it is said, a ma
turalIzcd citizen of the United States, the exclusive
right Of Fishery at the Falkland Islands and the
Islands and Coasts adjacent TO Cape Horn-and at
the same time appointed him Governor or Com
mandant OF the Islands. For two years or more
Nernct did not modest the ssalcrs, but at length
commenced enforcing his monopoly, by capturing
three OF our vessels, besides a boats crew bclouping
TO Il fourth, winch had been cast away on Terra
uci t"cgo Onc OF them, you may remember
was run away with by the mate and part of the
crew. ana arrived safe in the United States. Auo
thcr, the Superior was despatched by him on a seal
ing voyage through the Straits of Magellan on
JOINT account with the captain, and under bonds 10
ABIDE the event of the trial of Tic third-Tthc Har
net winch was brought in by Vcrnet for adiudica
ton III Bucnos Ayrcs.1
ne ELECTED his captures by arrcsting the captains
ana thcIr boats crews whilc shore, unyuspcious
oil danger, and then dcspatching gang Of armed
men on board to take possession of the vessels, and
9rhg them into his port. One Of the captains was
kidnapped IN this WY when thirty miles from his
vessel. The officers and men were closely confined
apart from each other, TO prevent all communica-
Ilon, and afterwards dispersed, some around Cape
iiorn and others TO the Coast Of Brazil. On selling
the captain and boats crew Of the Harriet tho Of
hccr OF the guard told them that eff they resisted
blood would be she'd" Every thing valuable on
board Of the Harriet, was taken ouCbf hcr by Yer
net, OF by his orders, and appropriated TO his use
Her stores, bread, molasses, pork &c. were rctaicd
out by him shore to his colonsts & others: her salt
was used by him, in fitting out boat expedition
for sealing on his own account, g. her bulk heads
were broken down as he happened to be in want oil
boards lie took possession of her skins about 10 he
sioes luOo from the Superior, 400 from the boats