Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-29

WASHINGTON, April 28.-Minster Adams,
by direction OF secretary Seward, last NOvem
Der addressed a note TO Lord Russell, on the
subject OF the ravages committed by the Nash
vile, she having captured and destroyed the
American merchantman Harvey Birch by fire,
and then sought protection at Southampton.
The object of MIR. Adams was to request the
British government to inquire into the clrcum-
stances of this extraordinary proceeding, and
expressing the hupe that the British govern
ment would adopt such measures as the case
might seem to demand.
Lord Russell in reply said the Nashville ap
peared TO be confederate vessel OF war, her
commander and officers having commissions
in the SO styled confederate navy. In these
circumstances he adds, the act done by the
Nashville cannot be considered an act vol
UNFAIRLY undertaken by individuals not vest
ed with powers generally acknowledged 10
be rs cessary to Justify aggressive warfare
nor does it at all approximate within the def
milton of piracy. All persons acting contra
ry to the enlistment act shall be punished If
necessary, and if necessary, other measures
will be adopted to maintain neutrality. 1t
is the desire OF her majPstyS government
to maintain friendly relations.
In Il despatch to our minister to France,
Mr. Dayton Feb. 20, Mr.. Seward expresses
the hope that such new regulations Will
be adopted by the British government, as
will rcas sure the merchants and seamen who
are so Justly annoyed by the presence Of
pirates in European waters, adding: TN the
late COMPLICATIONS OF our officers with Europe,
we could only demonstrate with the British
government against the shelter allowed to de-
pretlators upon our commerce, and send out
such of our own vessels, as we could spare !or
its protection
Secretary of legation Perry, under date of
january 4lh last, acquaints Mr.. Seward OF the
Sumter just casting anchor at CadlZ MI.
Seward, III reply, on the 3lst OF January, says
the president is 1avOrably impressed with the
Dromptness with which the Spanish govern
ment apply the principles OF the royal proc
lamation in the case OF the Sumter, and the
American citizens whom she carried into Ca
diz as prisoners, namely restoring them to
the protection OF our flag.
Mr.. Seward, writing to Mr.. Webb at Rio
Janeiro November l3, speaks OF the prlvateer
Sumter having been admitted into the port OF
Maranhan, and receiving Goals and provisions
there, and directs him TO lose no lime in cali
ing attention to the subject, and inform his
maiesty's COVE rnment that the shelter and
supply of pirates, as the Sumter is, in the
ports of Brazil, is deemed an unirlendly act by
this government, and to ask that such meas
uTeS DC IdhGD WIN SbaIN " '"S S""S 80 " III
make the governor OF Maranhan sensible of
his najesty's displeasure, and prevent a rec
currence OF such injuries to the United States
hereafter.
Mr. Webb, in response to Mr.. Seward, says
the foreign office assumed the ground that no
breach of neutrality had been committed, and
fell back upon the ab,urdty first invented by
the governor OF Maranhan, namely-that the
Sumter is a man of war. Brazil, it appears,
recognized in the southern states the rights
and duties OF bellg rents, in conformity with
the laws OF nations, and Mr.. Webb is informed
by the minister OF foreign affairs that he con-
POUNDS the recognition of a fact and of the
rights OF belligerents, as the recognition of in
dependence and sovereignty in behalf of the
territory in rebellion.
MIR. Seward under date Of March 18th, does
not affect to conceal that this decision seems
TO him to he inconsistent with the very
friendly relations which have heretofore ex
listed between Brazil and the United States,
and is therefore in high degree unsatisfac-
tory. The government OF Brazil in the coulse
of the correspondence declares its friendship
for the United States, and iervently hopes
the civil will will soon be brought to termi-
nation.