New-York daily tribune., 1856-04-29
THE BRITISH ATTEMPT TO SEARCH
An AMERICAN VESSEL.

From Our Own Correspondents - 800
RIO JANEIRO, Tuesday, March 4, looo.
Before this reaches you great deal of excite
ment will probably have been experienced by
sundry persons in the United states on the pre-
sumed attempt of the English to exercise the right
Of search in the case of the American steamer
America. which lately came into this port. Per
haps the facts in the case have already been gwen
TO the public but If not brief statement may De
proper. .,
weeks prior TO the arrival of the America that
steamer was being built in New-York Ostensibly
for mercbantman, but so constructed that she
could be used as a man of.war. He was instructed
10 be on the look out for her. il being understood
that she would be employed in the Pa
ci6c az a Russian privateer. When the
America arrived she was very naturally
scrutnized but she did not fully answer the descrP
tiOn Of the suspected vessel Capt Hudson ofthe y,
had occasion TO discharge one OF his mates, ana IN
his place shipped an Engshman, who IN a few hours
proved bimselfto be worthless fellow, and was
sent on shore Offended with this treatment the
EDgishman reported to a British officer that the
America had several large guns secreted under her
cOa that she had boxes OF small arms under the
cabin floor. and quantity of ammunition. lie was
asked il he would have the statement put IN VIII
ting and make oath 10 il. and asscntng 10 H. the
affidavit was made and laid before the BRITISH Al
mrsl. Ii was also reported that the steamer IA
two sets ofpapers. With all this information De'
lore him, Admiral Johnson felt II hsduty To Lo'lIS
Commodore Salter |. :. ", of these facts, anl
to request, | presume, that the America be
cleared of these suspicious. The senior
French officer in the harbor also represent
Cd the suspicious character OF the America
Its was done on Sunday evening REQ. lU. l nc
next day Capt Hudson was Informed that IL the
custom house officer declared him all rISht' tne
irgate Savannah would give him safe convoy 10
sea. Ii is understood that Capt. hudson nnNi'eu
he French naval officer tO visit hls steamer pu'
refused permission 10 the English. The rench-
nan Old visit the America with the braznah GUS
.on-house officer, and the latter gave her Gear
shce SO far nothing had been done 10 all'y 'he
suspicious of the English Admiral, and though inc
Snenca had got her clearance and COmmoIore
Sater was pledged To give her safe 'ony1y, sun ne
'hought it prudent TO quiet the apPrehenslohs ol
we Admiral. Capt Hudson went before the,
american Minister, Trousdale, and made stale
uent verified by his oath, that no guns or sinal
arms &c, such as had been represented, were
Sh board the America. Commodore Salter cetu
ueS TO the respectable character OF Capt. HUDSON
ue the papers were sent 10 Admiral Johnson
hary on Wednesday, Feb. Is, the America
~" "SA The frigate Savannah IN tow, and na'inS
~Aeh her well outside RaZa Island, cast on al"
~ISe nt The best OF her way south.
vi course, the whole Of this affair produced
stai excitement in Rio and was distorted IN
wen way. Braziliaus have such ideas OF Amer
. Als that they readily believe any report "hlch
,P'sents them in the light of tllousters' ou'Ca'
SSven &c. HOt.headed Yankees, who hate the
Dn'sb, and who have no distinct idea what " the
xnsht Of search means. were delighted at tne
slaal Of Capt. Hudson to allow the English ON
-. i 10 visit bis steamer. The City OF 81 SeDS'-
was IN delectable state of excitement LOT
S'a9.iour hours. Perhaps some people reearu
-' sailing of the Savannah under the cTcum