The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-01
u. s. SHIP DELAWARE,
Rio DE JANEIao, 9th April, 1912.

Rio DE JANEIRo, 9th April, lo42.
Sir 1t was no, until my return to misplace, on
the ls instant from the river La Plata, that had the
honor to receive your letter of the Both September
last which enclosed copy of communication to the
Department of State from the Consul of the United
States at Montevideo, in relation to George Johnson
who represented himself as an American CITIZEN and
which prescribed the which to be taken
in his
This subject received attention during my last visit
to the La Plata, and have now the honor to report
the course which pursued by the Consul and
myself and the arrangements which were made be-
tween the Consul and the Government of Uruguay,
The Consul having informed me that no answer
had been given by the Government his letter ofthe
10Th February 1871 sent for and questioned George
Johnson From his answers and manner, there ap :
peared to be to doubt the general correct
ness of the statement which he had formerly made to
the Consul. Some few additional facts were, how
ever elected, which seemed Of some Importance in
forming fair estimate of the conduct of the officers
of Uruguay towards him He is man of color, of
very decent appearance, about SO years ofage, was
born in Delaware; first came to this country when
about Is years of age, and has generally been en-
ployed since in places near the La Plata or its
tributaries. When he impressed at the village
of San Salvador, he had nothing to show that he
an American citizen, nor until after be escaped from
the fort on Rat Island and just before he appre-
hended and punished. Since he made the complaint
to the Consul, which was forwarded to the Depart
ment he has not b,en nerfered with, in any manner >
by the officers of Uruguay
Whom asked to name a sum which he would consi-
der ample compensation for all his losses OF proper
ty and time and for the cruetes which had been in
hicted upon him, he named 800 patagones, equal to
about $685..
As had not received any special instructions ton
the subject Itook occasion, in conversation to bring
it to the notice Of Mr. Suarez the acting President in
the absence of Gen. Rivera, and impress upon him
the Importance Of early attention to it, as he must
be aware from our history that upon no subject
were Il 6 Government of the United States
prompt to require full redress than upon Unauthorized
interference with the persons of its citizens lie
stated that it had before been brought to his
notice, but that he would call for report and that if
wrongs should be found to have been committed by
then officers, immediate redress should be made.
At NY suggestion, the Consul renewed his cores
pondence with the Minister of Foreign Affairs dur
ing my absence at Buenos Ayres. By the copies Of
this correspondence, which forward herewith, the
Department will perceive that the Government of
Uruguay readily agreed to allow Johnson for his loss
Of property at his valuation, for his time at high
daily rate, and to pay the sum which named by
the Consul as compensation for the outrages which
had been inflicted upon him.
In the conversations with Mr.. Suarez the acting
President and with Mr. Vidal the Minister for foreign
affairs those gentlemen expressed the desire of the
Government of Uruguay to preserve the most friend
y relations with that of the United States not only
from the advantages of com nercial intercourse, but
from similarity of political institutions and from
collection Of the early recognition of their indepen
dence by the United States In adverng to the case
Of Johnson, the day before left Montev dec, Mr.
Vidal stated that under all governments, cases might
occur, in this instance when subordinate officers
would commit acts of improperly, and for which the
Government bou nd to give redress, and from the
course adopted by the Government of Uruguay, in
this case of Johnson's he hoped the Government o
the United States would find to be satisfied
its disposition to be guided by spirit Of just
liberality
From the correspondence now transmitted, ant
from the foregoing statement the Department will
perceive that its instructions have been anticipated
with the exception of de handing the punish nent o.
the officers by whom the outrages upon Johnson wer,
directly ordered, and of communicating formally t.
the Government of Uruguay the determination .
the Government of the United States to give full pro
lection to its citizens against unjust illegal proceed
ings violations of their rig hts either persons o.
property.
have the honor to be
Your obedent servant,
G.. NORRIS