Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-31
Thr Privatesr Cen. ArmsIrong

We ind in the Washington correspondence Of
the New Yo.k Her Id the following bliri history Of
case which has commanded much and prOtrscted
attention, and which las recently been Opposed oi
by a decision iu the Court Of Claims:
This case, which, for fory~tWo years, has been
pending before government, has finally BEEN
dec led la favor ol the claimants by the United
Sta e. Court of Ciailns at Washington. To say
nothine If the unparalleled drf.nce made by Capt.
R-1 AZ Ist the Is itish squadron at Fayal in TIA,
the history Of IT'S prosecution, and the coarse Of
diplomacy pursued by this government, was as re
lkabir ~ IL vas extraordinary First the govern
men, vi Portugal voluntarily admitted her iiahiiity
90 Sal govern uenG gland made an apology,
sn .demnt, TO Portugal for her wantOn attack Ola
the orig, d for violating the muctraI.y Of h,r
port BSE up TO 1918 r'dr was procured
The ella msuls went 10 Congress, and we're seut
back 10 the Department Of State for relief. For
80 IRA Afterwards a diplomatic correspondence was
carried on between Portugal and the United State,
(-Tery succeed z Secretary OF State urging the
Justice of the claim until under Mr. Polk in l545
Portugal denied her liability, aud the state Depart
meut refused 10 prosecute tile clam further.
"A The claimants vent again 10 CrJngress, obtained
q report in their favor, aud the case was sent tack
10 toe Department Of State by the Sonste with in
structious 70 prosecute it. 10 ls49, under Gen.
Taylor, Mr.. John N. Clayton made percmptory
demand for this claim, aud sent the American feet
IN the Mediterran up the Tagus to receive Mr.
James h. Clay, (son Of Henry Clay the American
Minister, In case Portugal refused. Mhe English
Government supported Portugal, aud urged her
by nprrtnent interteru nee, 10 pay this clalW,
but TO allow all other claims, either lust or unjust
Portugal Ooeyed England and M. Clay demanded
hi. passports, aud returned home. Portugal then
renewed her proposition TO arbitrate this claim,
agreeing 70 pay sill the Others = a bonus, if this
government would accept the terms. The propo'i-
tion ~4s accepted by Mr. Fillmore in 1850, and
the case in favor Of Portugal, violation OF the
compact OF the treaty stipulations between the
United Stats and Portugal
The award decided that the Americans first at
tackled the British feet that little brig with ninety
men commenced the fight against frigates aud sew
enty -iOur gun ships with one thousand meG !
The claimants protesting against the awsri again
went 10 Congress. At tee last session, after tue
bill had once passed the Senate, it lost by one
vote. The House sent the case 20 the Court Of
Claims, aud ia the language Of distinguished ju-
Tist, we Congratulate the claimants and our cor
mon country on the manly eHunciaiiOn OF prnc
Piles contained ia abe decision of Judge GIlchrist
He will live in after times the pioneer in this
tried Geld OF Judicial labor, whose mind equal
20 the mighty task OF bringing sovereignty TO the
bar OF justice as compulsory recipient OF her d
vine bshests"
This decision will permanently establish the
Court OF Claims, notwithstanding she cloakings OF
claim agents, aud "carriOn birds" Mr.. Benton
called them, who are trying to break down the
Court.