The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-19
sHT pLLIGENGE BY THE MAILS.



Tie CLAIMS on Portugal-H,ao,y of The Diptoma-
~ or the Question: Statement 0f the Dihcuity.
Iregret xceediogly, that the letter containing
my remarks on the Portuguese question, as il now
stands, has not been received by YOU and hasten
TO lay a few facts before your readers.
Our claims on Portugal have been pressed with
unusual severity, and in terms not always consis-
tent with diplomatic etiquette, to say the least of
them. Portugal replied respectfully, defending
herself best che could, and al last reviyiag aud
pressing some Of The claims Of her subjects
against the Uaiied States, as an offset az ainst the
/ claims Of our citizens.
Mr.. Clayton, the late Secretary of State. treated
these Portuguese claims, against our government
very little better than d swiude. and by the tenor
Of his diplomatic notes, clearly Indicated that they
would never have been pressed excerpt TO avoid
just responsibility incurred by outr4ges committed
on our citizens. His language # | am not very
much mistaken, is scarcely couched in terms suit
ed 10 the usual intercourse of polite gentlemen,
and drawn mp very much in the style of a prosecu-
ting attorney, who threatens attach the property
of his clients de btor.
Portugal, believe, used the ouly weapon left to
old and weak States. She was very diplomatic,
very courteous, and very argumenrative; for it is
a strange historical axiom, that State increases
in diplomatic skill, as it declines ia power. The
Dutch republic never was more powerful, than
when her burgomaster forgot to button his leather
breeches before the French ambassador, the Duke
de Choiseul; and whea the republi; of Venice ex-
PRED without a struggle or groin, her diplomacy
had reached such degree of fnesss, that her Sc
cretary Of State not permitted to keep record
oft. But TO return to Portugal
The Portuguese government offered TO submit
the whole difficulty to the arbitration of mari
time power of the second rank interested as her
self is in maintaining and defending the rights Of
neutrsls; and, for that purpose, designated the
King of Sweden; stating, at the same time, her
readiness 10 submit to any umpire the United
| States might select
| Mr.. Clayton declined the offer, or rather ac-
ceped it only conditionally, if the American claim
ants (his cents) would consent to it, He does
not seem TO have looked the claims as affecting
the present and future rights and interests of two
States; but simply as a matter OF n,snnt and tuum
between two individuals, and insisted, in more POI
sitive terms Than ever, being paid Portugal
still respectfully demonstrated and argued; but Mr.
Clayton, al that stage OF the proceedings, deter;
| mined 10 come Richelieu over her, and ordered
the American squadron to the Tagus This was
bold stroke, and, what Is more, II was a success
| full one. With the guns OF Commodore Morgans
/
| Of Lisbon, our Charge d'Atiaires had a last inter-
| view with Count fOJal, the Portuguese Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, at which he again pressed his
claims, Ms ! believe, in threatening language,
amounting, as ! shrewdly guess, TO intimidation.
| A cabinet council was thereupon convened, and
| Mr.. Clay called upon TO reduce his ultimatum
to writing. This Mr.. Clay very. wisely refused to
do, being, no doubt, instructed by Mr.. Clayton
| not 10 embroil him with Congress. The Portu-
guese government, nevertheless, thought that the
evil hour was upon them, and. accordingly, offered
all H.. II. AZ. a.
Charge in full save the ego 900 set down for the de-
| siruction ofthe privateer General Armstrong, the
payment Of which they conceive derogatory TO the
| honor of Portugal a nation. The offer of sub
| hitting that claim, however, 10 an umpire was
| renewed Mr.. Clay left Lisbon, because ne con-
sidered the terms Of that note not sufficiently
spectful. Portugal, imagine, expressed her vii.
lngness 10 pay, not because sh- was convinced Of
the justice of the claims but because she had no
means Of resistance, and for the sake ofp-ace.
The question no y is, will the United States hold
viii Mr.. Fillmore and Mr. Webster consent to
submit the whole to an umpire Of their own selec
ton. You will see that the matter il entirely in
own hands, and that the United States, instead
Of meeting with any resistance, must use her own
discretion how far she will her power against
a weak and defenceless friendly nation.
THE SETTLEMENT.
AUoUsr IL, 1850.
Since the above has been written, Mr.. Webster
has had q conference with the minister resident
| from Portugal here in Washington, the result Of
which was the settlement of the whole question.
Portugal to make provisions for the ayment Of the
four claims, admitted by Count Tojal in his note to
Mr. Clay, our Charge to Lisbon and the reference Of
the General Armstrong to the arbitration OF
third power which, I think, will be Sweden. The
Portuguese minister has, accordingly, left WASH
inaon, not with his passports but for Philadelphia
and New York. to enjoy, in all probability. the
cooling breezes Of Staten Island. You may look
upon the Portuguese controversy o. good as set
tied. Pozxo tsr Borao
WASHINGTON, August IL, 1850.
The closiHg Of the Fpk-QSareis A~ong the
Sosthernrs--R siief 10 the Free Soilers-Doisgs
Of The Hosss-7ns Mileage Qsssiio~ AID thon
Books Pla~ Of the Aari~isfratio~ Party ~ the
ray Of Busiwo,s, &c.
The particular excitement Of the morning is the
letter Of the Hon. Daniel Wallace, Of South Caro-
lima, to General IIoustoa, Of Texas, published in
the Southern Pre1. II 10 clearly a declaration Of
war. II admits Of no evasion, and no escape,
except arrangement for early. in-the- morning
visit to Bladensburg, or u surrender, or q grieefal
csvipg in on the part Of old San Jacinio The
letter Of General Wallace explains the matter Of
the qusrrel-the ultimate consequences have yet to
be developed The epis,ie is the very oseenee
cayenne pepper and aqua FORTS. rubbed in-savsge
mcat-arc.
South Care lima Is fairly in for 6ght some whore.
MI. Gregg and Mr.. Cheenut, ct that state, have
both replied to late speech Of General Foote, IN
the Senate, and in that tone aud import viii ch i'm
pcratvely demand, in Mississippi, an order Tor
pistols and coffee" an explanation. IL Gen.
Foote, therefore, suffers this matter To pass by
without further notice, his ohiv Try, 10 mississippi,
so universally admitted to he "so~s pear, Of uss
rorosht," will be apt to safer some, he cannot
sstitfy his constituents without first squsring up
Ne account current with South Carolina
Under the fundamental Law Nc member Of the
Senate, for what he may say in the senate, IL
liable 10 be cslled 10 any scoount to the "out-
sidsrs," nor ~ he 10 be considered subject tn the
usual responsibilities % the "ostsidc bahamas"
IL is one Of his psivleges TO speak under this pro-
tectpg clsvee. But the south Csrolinizns do not
regard IL They do not hesi,sts 10 violate the rsles
and the constitution, in their construction Of the