The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-04
OFFICIAL PROTEST % Inn ssAzLiAs ooyrSS.

MENT -
A lais Rio paper (the formal do Co"msreio)
has been placed in our hands, il contains the pro-
tsst Of the government against an act OF the Brit
ish Parliament, which passed into law ON the
gagged in the slave-trsde become amensbls TO the
high court of admiralty Of Great Britain and to any
and every court Of vee-admiraliy within the British
dominions. ..
With the view Of displaying the character Of this
perpetrated outrage upon the national rights Of Bra
zi, and for the purpose Of showing the aggressive
spirit Of the 'mistress Of the seas" We proceed to
protest.
In the narrative Of facts connected with this as
sumption Of authority on the part of the British
government, the Brazilian minister for foreign ai-
fairs says that he has been directed by the emperor
"o enter into detailed exposition of the facts, and
of the right Of the imperial government to declare
itself, with all the energy arising from conscious
ness of justice, against an &c, which directly in
yades the sovereign rights and Independence Of Bro
eli, as psA a, those qf every other nation" ...
II appears that by treaty bearing date the ODD
January, 1915, the United Kingdom Of Portugal,
Brazil, and Agarves engaged to abolish the slave
trade north Of the equator. and, in concert with
Great Britain to take measures for the accomplish
ment Of that object.
A convention was concluded in July, 1917, for
the purpose of efectualy carrying out the obliga-
lions incurred by the treaty Of 1915. BY the CON
vention the right Of visitation, and the establish.
ment Of mixed commission to adjudieste prizes
made by cruisers, were agreed upon.
On the 18th September, 1917, a separate article
was signed in London, and subsequently, ratified by
the Portuguese government, by which IL WIS slip
uated that soon as the slave-trade was abolish
ed, the parties would adapt to the new state OF
things the convention Of July; but in default ofsuch
alterations, the convention should be in force for
fifteen years from the date when the total abolition
Of the slave.trade should be determined on by
Portugal.
By the LIST article Of the convention between
Great Britain and Brazil, on the 23d Of November,
1895, and ratified ia 1927, il agreed that after
three years should not be lawful for Brazilian sob
jects to be concerned in carrying the savetrade
and the act was prohibited TO British subjects
under the penalty ofpiracy.
By the I'd article Of the convention, the parties
agreed to adopt each and every provision Of the
treaties concluded between his Britannia Majesty
and the King of Portugal on the same subject And
one Of the conventions thus adopted, which estab-
lished the right Of visit, &c, qualified by the
separate article of the llth September, 1917, by
which the right Of search, and the mixed commission
was to cease AFTER the expiration OF fifteen years;
and that term ending on the 18th March, l6i5, the
right Of search, &c, ended with it.
II is then stated in the protest, that the imperial
government was not to blame it, prior to the expi.
possible for the two governments to come to just
and reasonable agreement, with visw to adapt to
the new state Of circumstances arising from the
total abolition OF the slave trade, the measures con
tsined in the convention ofJuIy, 1917.
II is then affirmed that in 1895, and from 1910 to
ls42, the imperial government gave every attention
to the various negotiations proposed by Great
Britain; and that il nothing was accomplished il
was because the alternative presented was the re-
the legal trade Of Brazil.
The character Of the propositions presented by
Great Britain, and rejected by Brazil, arc next de
scribed as being objectionable; and so they made
to appear, manifeslly.
But Notwithstanding negotiations upon this sub
ect proved sbortive it is alleged tina, Brazilian
sells were captured by British cruisers, and con-
demned by British commissioners, and all this
against the provisions of existing treaties.
The protest asserts plain principle Of the law Of
nations, that the government Of one country cannot
exercise any act of jurisdiction over the property
and individuals in the territory Of another.
And again: That the visit and search on the high
seas, in time Of peace, as we'll the adudcations,
less acts of urisdctonj that the right is
belligerent.
Looking to the act of Parliament of August last,
it is asserted to be impossible not to recognise that
unustfabe abuse of force which threatens the rights
and preroga,ires Of all free aud Independent nations
The preext upon which Great Britain has pro-
ceeded in this assumption of authority is next no.
ticed in the Brazilian protest And it is said that
Great Britain to Justify her conduct, relies upon the
convention of 1926, by which it was agreed to
abolish the slave-trade the coast of Africa. But
the protest of the imperial government afirms that
by that convention Brazil stood bound to forbid her
subjects engaging in the save-trade after the 18th
March, 1880; and, secondly, to consider and treat
the trade on the part Of Brazilian subjects pi-
racy. With respect to the second Obligation it is
affirmed to be 'cear that the Intervention Of the
British government, with. reference to the trade car
ried on by Brazilian subjects, is limited to the right
Of demanding from the imperial government an ex-
act and punctual observance Of the treaty, and
nothing more" '' a. ..- &E
The following propositions are next laid down in
the protest: first, that the crimes committed within
the territories Of any nation only be punished
by the authorities Of that nation, and that the ves
sells of every nation constitute part of her terrific
ry; and tina, hence, the crimes committed on board
of them are punishable by the laws of the country
to which they belong.
The protest by the Brazilian government is drawn
up with ability; and il places Great Britain under