Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-02-24

ing granted, French fleet sailed for the
Tagus and began reprisals on the Portu-
guese flag. This measure being found in
sufficient to produce the desired result, a
stronger feet was despatched, with an ulti-
matum, and this not being accepted, it en-
tered the river and anchored off Lisbon.
The Portuguese government then submit
ted. But Immediately after, additional de-
mands were made, and the Portuguese fleet
was conveyed to Brest.
Certain commercial advantages were
granted to Great Britain by Naples in a
treaty concluded in 1916. In 1888, a mo-
nopoly ofthe sulphur mines was granted
by the Neapolitan government to COM
pany organized for the purpose ofworking
them. England considered this grant an
infrac.ion ofthe treaty, and demonstrated
against it. After some diplomatic discuss
ions, the Neapolitan government announc-
cd to that of England that it had detelmin-
ed not to yield to the demands, not consid-
ering the monopoly as any infraction Of
the treaty. The parties interested in it
took the opinion of two ofthe most eminent
counsel in England. Sir F. Pollock and
DR.. Phillmore, and decided that twas no
infraction Of the treaty of 1915. But the
British government determined to enforce
its demands, and ordered its admiral en- the
Mediterranean station to hold himself in
readiness to commence hostilities against
the Neapolitan flag. They were actually
commenced in 1840 by British feet,
which captured a number of Neapolitan
vessels. The government Of Naples at
first prepared to resist; but, says an Eng
lish historian, 'the Utter hopelesnessssof q
contest with England induced it finally to
accept the proposed mediation Of France. /"
The result was the abolition of the sulphur
monopoly. j,
The French took possession ofVera Cruz
in 1899, after heavy bombardment, and
held it<as security for the redress of their
grievances. These grievances consisted
principally, if not wholly, in Withholding
from French citizens the right Of retail
trade. An indemnity of three millions of
franks was granted, and also some COM
pensation for French citizens who had been
expelled from the country.
The British Annual Register observes
that, "the peculiar indemnity which the
French claimed, arose out of all sorts of
demands on the part of certain Frenchmen,
who alleged they had grounds of complaint
against the Mexicans. But in addition to
he compensation demanded, the French in
sisted on occasions and privileges, which
no independent nation could be expected to
grant, and no generous one should have en-
deavored to extort from weaker power.
They required that judges should be remov-
cd, sentences revoked; and that immunities,
not granted to the most favored nation
should be conceded to French residents;
such as exemption from war contributions
and extraordinary imposts, together with
liberty to carry on a retail
.rade.''
The seizure of the Sandwich Islands, in
ls42, by the French Admiral Du Petit
Thouars, is fresh in the recollection of eve.
" one who watches the progress of the DO
itical affairs of the world. Whatever was
he character of the French claims, the act
If hostility by which redress was sought,
vas stroke, inflicted by great power
lpon feeble one, which neither the ma.
ure of the alleged offence, nor the time
hat had elapsed could justify.
need not recall in detail the transac.
ions of the La Plate, by which the En-.
,lish and French governments interfered
n the war between Buenos Ayres and
Nontevideo. The universal judgment Of
his country has pronounced that transac-
ion one of the most unjustifable assaults
'ver committed upon the independence Of
Nations. 1t was mercantile cupidity, and
neither justice nor philanthropy, which led
o this gross outrage.
But why, sir, do turn from the direct
ssue before us to recall these instances ofl
which have within the few
asst years attracted the attention of Chris.
'ndom! I agree with the honorable sena.
or from Georgia in much that he has said
lpon thesubject Of wal, always injurious and
'iten unjust. But am not going to be led
nto disquisition upon that subject. We
must take the world as we find it; and the
nation that hesitates to defend its honor
Ind its interests will soon have neither to
lefend. There is an Arab proverb which
says it is the last feather which breaks the
;amel's back. There is last indignity.
which, unredressed, breaks down the honor
and character ofany nation. Whether we
mad reached the point where forbearance
becomes pusillanimity in our intercourse
with Mexico, can best be judged by pass
ing in review the long catalogue of outrag.
IS on her side, and Of acts Of moderation
On ours
The Divine Law-giver has said, Judge |
not lest ye be- judged. And what Judgment
mas been meted out by the public opinion
If England upon the conduct of this coun.
ry in our intercourse with the Mexican
.epublic9 One short, but emphatic extract
rom each of the great journals of England.
he exponents oftheir rival parties in that
will put this question beyond con.
roversy. They were brought out BY the
asst steam-packet.