Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-01-28
THE CLAIMS ON PORTUGAL.

We noticed some time since, that in the case
of the claim made upon Portugal by the Ameri-
can Government, fol indemnity for the destruc-
ton of the privateer General Armstrong, in the
harbor Of Fayal during the war of 1912, which
had been referred to Louis Napoleon, as ar
bitrator for decision, he had decided against the
claim. In reply to call from the Senate, a
message was received from the President, GU
closing copy of the official decision of which
he following is an abstract:
MIR. Rives in his letter of December 1852
states the III pursuance of invitation he attended
at the office OF the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
France, when they were each presented with
copy of the award. without any intmation of its
nature, and with the declaration that the Prince
President had been so much occupied recently
with the change fthe Government that he had
no opportunity OF declaring the award in per-
SoE.
The communication is, in effect, that it is clear
the United States was at war with Great Bri-
tain at the time, but Portugal preserving her
neutrality, the General Armstrong; armed for
privateering, cast anchor at Fayal, in the do
minions of the Queen of Portugal That, with
out any respect, for the rights of neutrality. a
bloody encounter took place between the Ameri-
cans and English, and that the next day after the
| encounter an English vessel ranged herself near
the American privateer for the purpose of canon.
| ding her; that this determine ton being followed
! by the act, induced Capt, Reid and his crew to
| abandon and to destroy her. The Prince Presden,
goes to say that "he does not consider it elear
that if certain British long boats, on the night of
the Goth approached the General Armstrong thu,
| these boats were manned by men provided with
| arms and ammunition. But he considers it clea1
| that these long boats having approached the brig
the crew of the latter having hailed them aud or
dered them to be off, Immediately fired upon Thorn
killing some and woundng others MORALLY withou,
any attempt having been made by the long boats
to repeal force by force. The American can
tain did not apply to the Portuguese Governor 70,
protection until blood had been shed, and when
the fire had ceased the brig came to anchor under
the castle at the distance of stones throw: the
Portuguese Governor was then informed of what
was passing in the port, and he did on several
occasions interpose with the British commander
to obtain a cessation of hostities and to com-
plain OF the violation OF tho neutral territory.
and effectively prevented some American sailors
on land from embarking for the purpose of prolon.
ging the conflict which was contrary to the laws of
nations. The weakness of the garrison proven.
ted any armed Intervention.
1t is considered, in this state of things. that
Capt. Reid, not having applied from the be.
tilo IIltoTPoutluu vi Inc neutral SOV0-
reign, and having had recourse to arms in order
to repel an unjust aggression, has thus failed to
respect the neutrality of the territory of the for
eign sovereign, and released that sovereign ofthe
obligation in which he was to afford him protec-
ton by any other means than that of pacific
intervention; from which it follows that the Co
vernment of her most faithful Majesty cannot
DO held responsible for the results Gf the COLI
sion, which has taken place in contempt of her
rights and sovereignty, in violation of the neu
trality of her territory, and without the local Of
hcers or lieutenants having been required in pro-
per time and enabled to grant aid and protection
to those having a right to the same. Therefore,
we have decided and we declare that the claim
presented by the Government of the United
States against her most faithful Majesty has no
foundation and that no indemnity is due by Por-
tugal In consequence of the loss of the American
brig General Armstrong, armed for privateering
purposes.
Done and signed, &C., under the seal of State.
at the Palace of the 1uleries. November 3Oth.
1882. l.. NAPOLEON.