The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-07-31


The British papers do mol neglect tho ex>
citing state Of things at Lisbon, connected
win the visit Of The American squadron, md
the demand made upon the Portuguese govern
ment by Mr.. Clay The following is an ac-
count of the affair:
"Two American ships of War, the Inde2en
dence, 56 gun lrigate, and the Mississippi,
first class steamer, had arrived IN the Tagus,
charged to demand, and, if necessary, enforce
payment OF certain claims made by the
United States government upon that of Por-
tugpl. The claims are numerous and varied
in character, and some Of long standng.-
The principal is claim for the destruction
OF the American prVateer, called the General
Armstrong, which was pursued into Fay yaI
lIarbor, in the Azores, by two British ves>
sells Of war, nj time when we were at war
with the United States, and being attacked
by them, the Americans were compelled TO
SET fire 10 their vessel, and escape le shore
II appears that, although The PoItugese GOV,
ernment is responsible, according 10 the laws
of nations, for the damages done 10 vessel
of friendly power while IN their waters,
Great Britain is really by the rules of equity
the party who should be responsible; but this
idea is repudaed by the English govern
ment, who have left Portugal 10 get out of
the scrape as they best can. The sum de-
manded on this claim is $350,000. Terrified
by the arrival of The warlike strangers, the
ministry hello a council, to which they invited
the foreign ministers, in hopes that something
In the way of arbitration might he effected;
but the American minister refused to hear of
any n. btra,ion, and i sisted on payment Of
the claims within twenty days; and if puy-
ment was not made by that time, he said be
must demand his passports, and The squadron
would proceed to make reprisals. Ii is sup
posed that the affair will be settled by an
offer of payment by instaments, which The
Americans can scarcely refuse to so needy a
debtor"
"'i'hs matter formed subject of discus.
sion in the Chamber Of Deputies on the 22d
Of June, when the President Of The council,
in the absence of the minister of foreign af-
fairs, made long statement Of the affair, IN
which he denounced the claims of the Amer.
leans as unjust or excessive, and concluded
by saying that the Portuguese government
would give, as required, an answer at The
time specified bu the House might depend
upon It that the answer would be such as
would be confornable 10 the honor and dg>
nifty of the nation. 1t is thought that, how,
everjust these demands may be, the refusal
on the part of the Americans 10 submit TO
arbitration, will onlite the Portuguese to con.
slider This as casus fpderis, and to call on
Great Britnin, under all treaties 10 aid them
in their extremity, Thus The affair rests nj
present.
The Lisbon correspondent Of the London
Times writes long letter 10 that paper, giving
n British version of the affair Of The General
Armstrong, trying TO make it appear that the
neutrality Of the port Of Fayal was first VIC.
lated by the Americans firing on the Brit,
Isll, y consequently that the American claim
for damages for the brig Is bad one, and he
concludes with the following paragraph:
81 have made no ceremony in thus giving
the opinion | have formed Of the General
Armstrong claim, because | have no doubt
the Portuguese government will continue TO
reject il in toto, and Mr.. Cay's ulimatum
expiring on the llth Ju'y, will nuke il a
matter Of general interest; but, as respects
the other claim included in the ultimatum, al
Council Of State is about to be held. shall.
consequently, reserve them for future letter.
and show the grounds upon which | think
some Of them bctter founded than that flbe
General Armstrong, although equally extend.
ca upon The Pacifco scale, TO total of about
$I30,000."