The Washington union., 1858-03-23
BRAZIL AND THE UNITED STATES.


Under the head of Brazil and the United States we
print two documents illustrative not merely of the policy
Of the United States in South America but of the cautious
retcence and prudent with which Brazil receives
the advances Of North American diplomacy, when
political considerations encourage its pctensions and
commercial interests operate strongly in its favor 1t Is
not many weeks since pointed ont to the English pub
lie the Importance of the misson with which Mr. Meade
the newly appointed United States minister charged
to the court of Rio dc Jancro and showed that chief
object of Mr. Boanans foreign policy the formation
of close and intimate relations both to aty and
between the great republic of North America and
the great monarchy of South America In such relations
there is not necessarily anything nimos to the interests
of England
1t is, of course quito possible for England and the
United States to cultivate the friendship and alliance
distant countries with which they respectively carry on
great trade without jealousy rivalry provided they
meet on terms of equality in the neutral States But the
inconvenience of position in Brazil is that the British
government docs not meet with American diplomacy
equal footing in Brazilian public opinion for while
merchants and traders and capitalists Justly
held In the highest esteem in that empire the English
government has unfortunately deeply wounded the sscep
hllitics and prTe OF its whole population high
and low and this gives to the United States position
and advantage which President Buchanan appears in
clned not ut all unnaturay to turn If he can to the
advantage of his country II is this inclination
that the documents print elsewhere throw light
The first is the speech made by Mr. Meade in present
ing his credentials to the Emperor Don Pedro H. In
this address the representatives of the United States fully
'ooobhhe thc tnc nominating StHte
of South America and holding the balance of power
on that continent. Now this recognition IL in itself
great change for hitherto the United have rather
affected to deprecnte the importance of Brazil have been
accustomed TO picture it cphemeral monarchy in
quarter of the globe devoted to republican institutions
and have regarded II rather their duty elevate and
exaggcrate the development of the Spanish American
States than to look seriously and tuhuIIy the grow
ing Importance of the new Portuguese monarchy
This revolution of North American opinions abandons
that delusion; and accepting the accomplished facts
Of Brazilian superiority and prcdominance, proceeds 10
deal with the position il recognises with sagacity and
rescience that contrast strangely and significantly with
tho obstinate and efete diplomacy of Foreign Office
which will persist IN extending to Brazil that system Of
tue'age interference correction and impertinence which
II imacnos il rigbnly inherited from relations with
Portugal.
Mr. Mead, on the contrary, addressing the Emperor
on behalf Of the United States treats Brazil not any
antiquatcd and ridiculous notions of this sort but
young and rising and perfectly independent State having
definite policy TO guide it, and great object to
pii-h IN South America Instead of thwatng this policy
dsputpg about that object he bespeaks alliance
on their basis This Is skill of the right sort fo,