Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-02-04

~ JESS AEExecutiye session Of the senatcs
Messages fran the President-7he Aarard Of Louis
Napoleon scith Regard to the Destrucfiono the Pra
Oateer General armstrong.
During the executive session of the Senate on
Z4th, two messages were received from the Presl-
dent, one communicating the correspondence by the
Hon. Abbot Lawrence and others with the Govern
ment of Great Britain and the State Department
relative to the affairs of Central America. There
are over one hundred dispatches communicated COM
menclng IN 1885 and continuing down to 1851. lt
was referred and and ordered to be printed Inc
other one was communicating the award of Louis
Napoleon In the case of the claim by the United
States against Portugal, concerning the brig Gener
al armstrong We make the following abstract OF
the document:
Mr.. Rives, under date of December 18th, 1852,
states that, pursuant to an invitation, he attended
at the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs OF
France, on December 18th, where he met the Portu-
gese Minister, when they were each presented with
copy OF the award, without any inilmatlon OF It's
nature, and with declaration that the Prince Pres
ident had been so much occupied recently with the
changes In the government that he had no opportu-
nifty OF delivering the award in person. or at an ear
Her day The award of the Prince President rectes
the Convention by Portugal and the United States
by which referred to him the controversy rela-
tive to the American privateer General Armstrong,
which was destroyed in the Port of Fayal, on the
9th of September 1914 and states that having
maturely considered and examined the evidence,
&C., it is clear that the United States were at war
with England at the time that Portugal was pre-
serving her neutrality; that the Gen. Armstrong,
commanded by Capt Reid, was legally provided with
letters of marque and armed for privateering pur-
poses cast anchor at Fayal, on the Goth OF Septem-
Der, 1914, in the dominions of the Queen of Portu-
gal. On the same day and English squadron enter
ed the port. That it is equally clear that du-
ring the following night, without any respect for
for the rights of sovereignty and of neutrality, a
bloody encounter took place between the Americans
and the English, and that on the next day an En-
glish vessel came to range herself near the Ameri
hnr flo0ff
determination being followed by the act, Capt Reid
and his crew were induced to abandon and destroy
her.
He does not consider it clear that if certain Brit
ish long boats the night of the 10TH approached
the General Armstrong, that these boats were man
ned by men provided with arms and ammunition
But he considers it clear that these long boats, hav
ing approached the brig the crew of the latter hay
ing hailed them and ordered them to be off immedi-
ately, fired upon them, killing some and WoundIng
others mortality without any attempt having been
made by the long boats to repel force by force The
American Captain did not apply to the Portuguese
Government for protection until blood had been shed
and when the fire had ceased, the brig came to an
Choir under the castle, at the distance of stones
throw
The Portugue Government then informed Of
what was passing in the fort. and he did, on several
occasions, interpose with the British commander tC
obtain cessation of hostilites, and TO complain Of
the violation of neutral territory and effectively
prevented some American sailors on land from EN-
Barking for the purpose of prolonging the conflict
which was contrary to the laws of nations. The
weakness of the garrison prevented any armed inter
vention. Considering in this state of things, that
Captain Reid not having applied from the beginning
for the Intervention Of the neutral sovereign and
having had recourse to arms, in order to repel ar
unjust aggression, has thus failed to respect the neu
trality of the territory of the foreign sovereign
and released that sovereign of the obligation in
which be was to afford him protection by any Other
means than that of pacific Intervention.
From which it follows that the Government Ollie
Most Faithful Majesty cannot be held responsible
for the results of the collision which has taken place
in contempt of her rights of sovereignty, in viola
ton of the neutrality of her territory, and without
the officers or lieutenants having been required, il
proper time and enabled to grant aid and protection
to those having right to the Therefore We
have decided and we declare that the claim presen
ted by the Government of the United States agains
her most faithful Majesty, has foundation, anc
that no indemnity is due by Portugal in consequence
of the loss of the American brig General Armstrong
arme1 for privateering purposes. Done and signed
&c, under the seal of State, at the palace of thu
!, Tueries, Nov. Goth, 1852
} (SigneD L. NAPOLEON.