The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-12
FRANCE AND PORTUGAL.
COMMENTS OF THE ENGLISH PRESS
rrrom tho London nme., 2s.h.l


terminated. After appealing in vain TO the decisions of
courts of law to the faith OF treaties to the obvious JUS
ce of her and to the arbitration OF any neu
trail power whom France might wish to choose the cab
met of Lisbon has suecumbed to the OF instant
violence addressed to her by power with whom would
be utterly fitless for her 10 contend Never the
voice of truth and justice aroganty oyerpowered
by superiority of physical orce never. were the
rights of brave and independent nation recklesy
trmpled upon the understanding upon which
the affairs of Europe since the peace Of 1915 have been
conducted entirely cast to the Winds For Portugal
nothing is left but to fold her and record her pro-
test against violence which she has been forced
submit for Europe there remains precedent fraught
with danger The orcibe of the French SLAYER
for such it is clearly proved to bcom the hands OF
the Portuguese authorities is Of those events which
are sure LATER to exercise important inu
the actions and feelings Of mankind 1t Is the
germ fear of much evil, and therefore, before we
part with it. before it Is eiaced for time by the torrent
of events that is rushing past must briefly recapi
tuate its details in order to bequeah to our readers
clear idea of transaction which may reasonably
pect to reappear in its results before any long time has
been suffered to elapse.
The French government obtained from Portugal per-
mission to carry negro cmgants to the island Of Reunion
from the Portuguese colony of Mozambique The partof
the coast of Mozambique from which the emigration was
to take place accurately defined and agreed upon.
The French vessel Charles Georges seized part
of the where she not authorized to go by the
agreement with hundred and ten negroes board 1t
appears by the testimony of the agent of the French
government Nicholas Corel that thirteen of these
groes board voluntarily, with their hands tied
behind their backs by their permission. With re-
spect to these the agent admits that the agreement
had not been complied WITH and that it his nten
ton to report this violation of his duty the part Of
the captain he arrived Mt Reunion The
sci provided with false decks aud other accessories
used by savers The ship was condemned as lawful
prize by the court at Mozambique, and an appeal was
lodged from That decision to the court Of supreme urs
dicton at Lisbon 1t is almost impossible to imagine
clearer case The only point indeed on which it is un
destood that France relies the presence of accredited
agent board the ship, which, 1t is contended afford
ed an irresistible presumption that act of shaving
was committed. But what becomes of that Irresistible
presumption when that agent himself is the witness who
proves tho act of savetradng and represents the iscon
of the captain to have been gross that it his
intention to report to the authorities he
arrived at Reunion The first duty of the French gov
ernment clearly to await the decision of the court of
Justice ut Lisbon, and to take step until adverse de-
cson had been rendered. and to consider itself bound by
that decision unless it clearly contrary to and
natural justice. The in which the French gov
ernment discharged this duty to demand the suren
der of the condemned ship in forty eight hours to send
two -of-war into the Tagus and to make demon
stiuton of hostility by pontedly negecting to salute the
King of Portugal in his river Finding that France
would not await the decision of Portuguese court of
Justice the cabinet of Lisbon next proposed to leave the
dispute to the arbitration of any neutral power whom
France might choose to appoint and that boing refused
except to the quanum of damages, the Portuguese
government compelled. under protest. to deliver up
the ship condemned for savetradng by court of
pctent jurisdiction mainly the evidence Of the repre-
sentative of the nation that claims her release and
far the present matter terminates. G.t
Hencetorth must, however unwillingly adopt it
matter clear dispute that France win not allow
the right of smaller and weaker powers to that shelter
and protection which the law Of nations has hitherto
thrown around them. Justice is for equas--dctation
menace and If necessary force for interiors in power
The of law and especially the law of nations
is the protection of the weak against the strong and for
weaker nation which Is so unfortunate as to have diff
ference with France that protection longer exists
second most lamenabe result OF this affair is that
fear longer count upon France among those
nations who are bent upon dscourgng in every
the continuance of the slave trade The power of the
Empire has been put forth to shelter very fragrant
violation OF what has hitherto been understood to be
the policy of France in this respect 1t is thing
not to maintain armed squadron for the purpose of
putting down the slave trade, il Is another to
a vessel duly convicted by the menace Of imme-
diate appeal to arms. There is too much reason to
fear that this untoward result of the noble efforts
which the Portuguese government and especially the
Colonial Minister, the Vscount Sa Da Bandcira, has
been making for the suppression of the slave trade will
relax the zeal of power which thus meets with insult
and in the very quarter from which it had right
to expect countenance and support Nor is this all We
cannot conceal from ourselves that the manner in which
Portugal has been dealt with caused by suspicion,
utterly unfounded know it to be- that she
ing in this manner under the peculiar instigation of Eng
land 1t occurs to us to ask what part has the English
government taken in this transactiona We know our
government has not extended Portugal any material
support-has any moral influence been exerted in her
favor Have interceded for her with great ally
Have strengthened her with the of ap
probation of the honorable she has adopted and
promised her that, in of extremity, we would not
forget the duties imposed by oblgations She has
done her duty should be glad of proof that
have not been wanting in ours.
... From the Liverpool Mercuryj
It is difficult to imagine deeper humiliation to this
country, short of direct insult blow to
moral and political influence If Portugal cannot look
to the English and people for support in her
anti policy what power earth can look to
for support in any whatever? IL Portugal is
not safe in seizng and condemnng French savers on
her coasts and in her harbors what power on
earth will henccorth dare to carry out anti slave
treaties, any other treaties which may be dstasefu
to grand imperial ayS BY abandoning the court of
Lisbon to the threats of the great dictator of Western
Europe forfeit the respect and confidence of all the
secondary States of the continent. We tell them as
plainly actions speak, that their only prudent
is to shape their policy to please France
and leave entirely out of the question We give them
fair warning that alliance is yaueoss, and that it is
safer to break faith with England than to wound the
fair teaches to the world is that the lesser States of M
rope will do well not to trust friendship and that
the great powers risk nothing by deying cnmty.
The insult is not unmerited We have courtcd and
invedi IL. What would we have The French Empo-
ror openly and ostentatously rivals maritime sn-
premacy in own channel, and take it kindly of
him. He makes us spend millions per annum ships |
Notifications, and militia, and call him our conf
Dental ally He completes magnificent war arsenal |
right opposite to coasts, and Queen goes
over felcate him the marvellous perfection of his