Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-02-17

BRAZILIAN DIFFIcULTIEs.-The follow
ing narrative of the causes Of the msun.
ders;andiDg between the Brazilian govern
ment and our minister, Mr.. Wise, we find
in the Ohio Statesman, dated on the U. S..
ship Preble, at Rio, Nov. "a, 1916. This
letter is accompanied by note from Mr..
Wise himself, abiding to the affair, which
fully confirms ITS truth. The d fficuliy
does not seem so serious as was supposed:
About three weeks since, the police Of
the city Of Rio JanelTo took into custody
three A merican sailors, and whilst these
soldiers were on their way 10 their guard
house they maltrea'ed their prisoners,
beating them with the flats oftheir swords,
and otherwise abusing them, SO much so
that an officer ofhe U. S. sloop of war
Saratoga, Zone of,he ships Of the Brazilian
squadron,) requested the police to give the
sailors 10 him, and lie would see that they
did not disturb the peace OF the city-bui
this polite request was not complied with
the sailors were still dragged on and abused
as before Lieut.. Davis interference. He
followed them to the guard house, however,
hoping that he might still succeed in get
ting possession of the drunken sailors and
placing them on board of the sloop Of war.
ii. Davis, let il be understood, from the
first, Offering TO be responsible for the fuIure
good behavior ofthe men. Upon reaching
the .gu7rtel,' or place of confinement, Lit.
Davis was desired 10 enter, which invitation
he promptly acceped-but no sooner was
he in the midst Of the Brazilian guard, than
he was disarmed and made prisoner, also
The facts Of the affair having been male
known, Immediately, to Commodore Ros,
seau, on board the U. S. frga,e Columbia,
lying 10 the halbor, Commodore K. plornp-
tly, and at once. demanded ofthe Brazilian
government the release OF Lieut.. Davis.
II release was denied, on the ground Of
some frivolous charge which was imputed
10 him, and which charge they wished 10
investigate. Our Minister, Hon. Henry A.
Wise also addressed note TO The Minister
Of Foreign Affairs, detailing The facts. and
expressed the sincere hope that Lieut.. Da-
Wis might be set at liberty. But this APP
peal had no effect. The government
seemed determined on insulting our flag.
From this demand and denial has arisen an
angry correspondence between Mr.. Wise
and the Brazilian Minister Of Foreign
Affai.s, each government through its Min>
isler, demanding an apology. Affairs stood
| in this position until Sunday the 18th OF
November. Upon this day, it was expec-
ted that the infant Princess, born few
DAYS previous, was TO be chiistened with
great pomp and ceremony. As usual,
upon this, as well as oher public occasions
all the Foreign Ministers, as well as the
| foreign naval officers, were invited to
participate. The American Minister aud
| American Commodore did not feel them
selves justified in complying with the invi-
,ation Of the Emperor. The American
Flag had been insul'ed, and until an apollo
gy was given, the Minister and and Com
modore could have nothing to do with the
Government OF Brazil. This refusal So
speraied the Brazlians, that in all in
tercourse, social or d;pomltic, ceased at
once The Emperor, has written 10 their
Minister at Washington, ordering him to
reques: of the American gove,nmen; the
immediate recall Of Mr.. Wise, on the gron nd
Of his being personally obnoxious TO the
reigning power, as we'll as the trouble,
which they say, has resulted. from h IS
hasty and imprudent diplomacy in the
above affair. Lieut.. Davis and two of the
men, however, were finally released, but
one of The men is still in prison, kept for
trial-his release being demanded & refused