New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-19
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE, JUNE 10.
Trouble with Portugal.

Although our own Washington CORES
pondents have kept us well apprised of the
critical state Of our relations with Portugal,
the following letter to the Louisville Courier
casts some additional light on the subject:
WASHINGTON Thursday Junse-
Dear Air Our foreign relations are daily as
Stunning more threatening aspect and the proba.
biities OF rupture are increasing almost hourly
w bile appearances with Spain, growing out Of the
attempted invasion OF Cuba, are less favorable 70
peace than ever, the extraordinary conduct Of
Portugal IN Withholding payment to American
claimants Of indemnities due them by that Gov
eminent has lately assumed phase which rem.
deIs war in that quarter also more than probable
Il is probably not known in your section, that
Hon James b. Clay our Charge d Afaires at Lis
bon, is now on his return home, if report is 10 be
credited, having demanded and received from the
Portuguese Government bis passports. This was
with him deInier resort, having exhausted ali his
powers in the hope and expectation that such an
extreme could be avoided. | heard Mr.. Clayton,
some time since, speak in the highest terms OF the
satisfactory manner in which Mr.. Clay had pressed
upon the Portuguese Government the payment 10
American claimants OF the several sans so long
end so uriustly withheld from them. Aud am
convinced thst his entire management OF the EN-.
baTrassDg negotiations he has conducted has given
general satisfsctonto the President and his abnet
IN IIe Irtt annual message - Con-
ereis he svsiled himself Of that opportunity to in
form that body, that our relstions with Portugal
were of so delicate nature owing 10 the refusal
Of that Government 10 DO justice to American
claimants he might find it necessary to make il the
subject OF a special communication to them The
energy with which Nr. Clay for season, pressed
the payment Of these indemntes, led to the hope
on the part of the Administration that speedy
and satisfactory adjustment would take place.
Those hopes, however, have not been realised, and
the crisis has arrived which the President anticipat
ed at the time be made his first annual communities
ton TO Congress. | learn that the Executive is
preparing special message, connected with the
cause that has compelled Mr. Clay to demand
his passports ard leave Lisbon, which IN very
few DAYS will be communicated TO the Senate.
The nature Of that special message cannot be
matter Of speculation with any well informed per-
son. Gen Tay Tor has sought justice to American
claimants Of the Portuguese Government IN that
fpirit Of forbesrance and berality for which All ms
public dc anes with foreign powers are 80 proven
bal He has exhausted all the peaceful remedies
that he could employ, and he will now recommend
the enforcement of our rights in that way known
only 10 civilized nations where differences OF TINS
nature arise. One of two alternatives Will with
promptness be presented for the consideration oil
Portugal the payment of the iDdemnitles TO Amerl-
can claimants or war, and reprisals both by sea
and Inv apd-For these latter consequences, the
limited States will in no way be responsible; and
if Portugal prefers war rather to be Just she viii
have the opportunity Of making the selection.