The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-04
NAVIGATION OF THE AMAZON.


Correspondence between tho Imperial Legal
tion OF Braxil at Washington and the Gov
eminent OF the United ssatcs with Regard
to the Intelligence Published I'm the News
papers, OF . North American Steamer Pro-
ceediDs to tho Amazon, sent for the Purpose
OF Finding there sOmo Ports II Bolivia.
NOTE FROM THE IMPERIAL LEGATION AT WASHING
TON TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.
IMPERIAL LEGATION OF Brazil,
WARRINGTON, April 4, 1853.
The undersigned, Envoy Extra ordinary and Min
Brazil, having read in the papers Of this country
several articles recently published, whence It would
appear that there 10 in the Amazon river North
American steamer sent 70 explore that river and
TO scar for some ports Of Bolivia on the streams
flowing into the Amazon; and, further, that de-
cree Of the Bolivian government, also published
here, bearing date the 9th day of January, of the
current year, win declare such ports free to foreign
commerce-being surprised at such intelligence,
for II does not appear how nor is it possible that
any vessel could have obtained from the consular
agents Of Brazil, as the ports Of the Union, pass.
port to enter the Amazon and to navigate that
river and its ADMINISTRATIONS It his duty to I'd
dress himself 70 the Hon. William L. Marcv, Secre-
tary of6tate begging that he will be pleased to In
form him, the undersigned, whether any merchant
despatched from any of the ports Of the Unon with
tine privity Of the constituted authorities and II
such vessel Ia at present there under the circum-
The undersigned, being unable to ascertain the
amount Of credit TO which these statements en-
titled feels persuaded that the Honorable Secretary
Of State, with the Official means within his reach,
will give him all the information that can be wanted,
as the undersigned could mot see, without deep
pain, such an unexpected attack (should this iufor
nation prove founded) against the rights Of sove.
reignty, which, as an independent nation, Brazil
her territory.
The unds rsigned takes advantage of this oppor-
tupity to express TO the Honorable Mr.. Marcy, Sc.
crctary Of State Of the United States his high son.
siderafion and regard
FRANCISCO IGNAcI0 DE CARvALHo M0REIRA.
To the Hon. Mr.. VIM. L. Marcy, Secretary Of State
of the United States, &c.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE BRAZILIAN
MINISTER.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, April 20, 1858. !
The undersigned, Secretary OF State of the United
States has the honor TO acknowledge the receipt Of
the note addressed to him the 4th instant by Mr.
De Carvalhc Morera, Envoy and Minister Pienipo-
teBiary Of his Majesty the Emperor Of Brazil, In
which he refers to divers articles recently published
In the newspapers. and which induced him to be-
eve that there is ct present steam vessel belong
ing TO the United States in the Amazon. And Mr..
M0reira desires to know whether any steamer be
longing either to the merchant service or the navy
Of the United States, was des patched to the United
States and whether the said vessel remained there
under the circumstances above ment oned.
The undersigned, taking into consideration the
want Of correctness and the exaggeration OF the
news published 10 the papers, when not proceeding
from 0ficial sources, and convinced at the same
time Of the scrupulous attention with which bis go
vernment seeks to observe the rights Of friendly
powers, might have given ready denial to the
truth Of these statements - far as they would refer
to any official acts Of the United States upon this
matter. The undersigned, however, preferred hand.
ing copy Of Mr.. Moreira's note to the Secretary Of
the Navy, for the purpose Of ascertaining whether
OF dsrs had been given to any vessel Of the United
States to enter the territory OF Brazil BY the river
Amazon, or whether any expedition Of that charac-
In answer TO the information sought FOR, the Sec
rotary of the Navy declared that vessel left
for the waters OF the Amazon with instructions
from that department; be suggests, however, that
some mistake with regard to this matter may have
occurred from the fitting ont of an expedition TO
plore the valley Of the Amazon, whose origin the
undersigned vii! endeavor briefly to explain to Mr..
Moreirs.
In consequence Of the observations and Studies
upon the winds and currents of the ocean, to which
the Surer ntendent Of the National Observatory at
this city, has for some years devoted himself It vas
judged exPedient to examine the course and capa-
city and other physical phenomena Of the river
Amazon, and tae bed through which that river
runs.
Win th9 OBJECT In view, on the ftn OF Nay 1851,
this department directed q note to the Hon. Mr..
Sergio Texsiro de Macedo, predecessor Of Mr.. Mo-
reira, communicating copy Of note Of the 9Th Of
the same month 10 which the Secretary OF the Navy
fully explained the desires and objects of the Navy
Department, in fitting out that expedition.
In thc note directed to Mr.. Macedo, the disn-
terested motives actuating IL in this matter
were frankly and fally set forth, and the MIN.
lister Of Brazil, who was then upon tue eve OF re-
turning home, had the kindness to give the on
Gers destined TO take part In this expedition,
passports and letters to enable them TO svgate the
river Amazon up to It's source with view 70 salts
~ curiosity founded upon liberal Views, and TO
extend the limits Of geographical kno Wedge in
which Brazil and other civilized countries had
common interest. e. r
or these officers one returned before the end Of last
year; the other, having taken different route did
not return 10 the United States with mis- companion
Mr.. Morera viii observe that, in all that Is above
mentioned, the government Of the Uoited States
carefully avoided any offence against the inst rights
of Brazil, or any lack Of courtesy towards govern.
ment with which 1t cultivates the most cordial rela
lions Of friendship.
As to the merchant navy Of tho United States,
signed has the honor Of informing him that IL is i'm
possible for the government Of the United States,
In view Of the great extension OF the commerce OF
the United States, to know the destination and oh
Jet Of al the vessels that leave the ports Of this
country; stiil, the undersigned has no hesitation Ia
assuring Mr. Moreira that The employees ofthe Gus
tom House win not knowingly facilitate the dcpar-
m . o. Any vea,sl that should purpose infringing
z II, however,, any vessel should leave with wuch
an oA3ecs In vtew, 4 would be subject 10 those laws