The New York herald., 1850-07-22

The Governor Of Faysl did not acquiesce la the at
tack on the American vessel. though he was dis
tnetly informed Ivy the commander OF the British |
forces that the neutray OF the port could no onget
be respected, since the unprovoked attack OF the
American schooner on the British boats; out u the
British officer who undertook, under these cifcum-
stances, TO avenge that attack even at the risk Oh
breach OF neutrality, was justified IN such pro-
eeedng-as we think upon the evidence thh ne
wait would seem 10 be wholly inconsistent WIN
the law Of naIions and with our pecuiiar ahty WIN WIN
Portugal, that she should now be held responsible
Nv the United States for an act OF British squadron
which she had not the power To prevent; and AS ths
occurrence was entirely caused either by the rash
mess or hostility OF the Americans the nselyes, as
appears by Ihei; own statement, or by the neces-
sary measures taken by Captain Lloyd, who COM
nanded the British ship Plantagene justice requires
either that the government Of the u. States should
desist from such claim, as Mr.. Secretary Upsaar
had actually done in 1874 or that Great Britain
should bear Portugal harmless for damages COM
mirted, and rightfully committed, by ourselves
The revival of demands doubtful and so Obsolete
n not creditable 10 the American government, and
though the arguments which were employed last
week in the House of Commons would justify these
any other exaciions made by the strong upon the
weak, we must express the same regret when thus
course is pursued by foreign power, as we did
when il was adopted by our own government To-
IL is not probable that the Portuguese govern
nent will accede TO the demand OF COMPENSATION
Tor the General Armstrong, which Is SO feeoiy sup
ported by evidence and by law, and on the llth
instant the American minister at Lisbon will pos
sibiy retire on board the United States squadron
II his ultmatim be not accepted. The strength OF
that squadron is we believe, not sufficient war
rant il in making direct attack on Portugal, in
initiating Admiral Baudin's exploit of passing the
forts of The Tagus;ybut if the Greek precedent is
be adhered TO throughout, and reprsals direct
ed against the trade of Portugal for the recovery of
these alleged, but inadmssble losses, il is evident
that English interests in Portugal will be the first
10 sufier, and we cannot imagine that this country
would view such acts Of hostility with Indifference,
especially when il is remembered that they have
arisen entirely out of occurrence which took
place under the British flag. The naval station of
the Tsgus may be considered by the United States
OF no less importance to their European interests
than it is TO ourseves and though it would De con-
Gstent with the strict friendship which has SO long
sxiated between the courts of Great Britain and
Portugal, TO urge upon the latter State the prompt
recognition and settlement of all just cl aims, yet
we entitled 10 watch with more Than common
interest the possibility Of attack one of the
moet important maritime stations of Europe, under
avery questionable pretence, which the American
government had itself abandoned after twenty
eight years discussion, and which it has only re
samed since the prosecution of such claims by
ioroe came unluckiy into fashion in Europe