Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-12-02
The Florida Imbroglio.

4
rate Florida in Brazilian port, than th
Brazilians themselves, or even the con
federates. Why not? The Florida j
their affair; the piracy carried on unde
the rebel flag is to all intents and pur'
poses British piracy upon our commerce
The confederates could never have fitted
out a single vessel capable of any impor
tant mischief on the ocean without Brit
ish assistance, and the escaped officer
and men of the Florida at once sough
conveyance to England as their home
The English people pretend that thei
Indignation over the capture of the Flor
ida grows out their high regard for tie
law of nations-a regard which, as all the
world knows, Great Britain finds it easy
i to forget when she has occasion to out
rage the rights of some weaker power
But the United States government vii
not shield itself behind the bad prece'
dents of England, but will meet this ques.
ton with Brazil fairly on its own merits
and it is to be hoped that any attempt by
England or anyotber power TO intrude
impertinenlly into the controversy will
Be resented with spirit. 1t is quite pos
sible that such interference may be at
tempted. Indeed, it is reported in the
late Pari; papers that the government oil
Great Eritan has already invited the
other great powers to join her in formal
protest to the United States against the
alleged violation of international comfy
in the case of the Florida. Such inte-
ference before the parties concerned have
exchanged correspondence on the subject
or any authentic report of the facts has
been made, would be in the highest de-
gree offensive to our government, and il
such a piece of hasty impertinence is
perpehated, England will doubtless be
Obliged to commit the insoent act alone.
The Paris papers also state that Bra
I'll has broken off all friendly intercourse
with Tue United States. This report is
premature, and probably grows out Of
the dismissal of Mr.. Wilson, our consul
at Bahia. In the letter of the governor
of Bahia announcing to Mr.. Wilson his
dismissal, the governor states that Mr..
Wilson had given his pledge that the
Wacbusett should respect the rights Of
Brazil and attempt no violence. If such
was the fact, the commander Of the Wa
chusett probably acted without consulta-
tion with the consul. Two days before
the capture of the Florida, our consul
had made a spirited protest against all
lowing the pirate to obtain supplies. and
furthermore urging her capture because
of her repeated outrages upon our COM
merce ia Brazilian waters. The protest
states the case very cogently as follows ::
"The vessel in question as not com
missioned by any recognized government
whatever, and her officers and crew are
composed of persons of various NATIONAL
tiles, who are not subject to any interna
tional or civilized, law, and are conse.
quently not entitled to the privileges and
immunities conceded to vessels naviga-
ting under the flag of a civilized nation.
|, therefore, protest, in the name Of the
United States of America, against the
admission of this vessel to free practice,
by which she might be enabled to supply
herself with coal, provisions, tackle, or
utensils of any kind whatever; finally
against any assistance, aid or protection
which might be conceded to her in this
port, or 10 any other belonging to this
province. / likewise claim that the pi>
ratical cruiser, which in combination with
the pirate Alabama, violated the sover-
eighty of the imperial government of
Brazil by capturing and destroying yes
sells belonging to citizens of the United
States of America, within the territorial
waters of Brazil, near The island of Fers
nando de Noronda, in April, 1868, bel
detained, with all her officers and crew.
in order to answer for SO fragrant vio-
lation of the sovereignty of the govern
ment of Brazil, and of the rights of citi.
zens of the United States within the ia
risdiction of the Brazilian government" ~
The governor replied rather curtly,I
refusing to do either, and declaring that
the government of Brazil had no right to.
take the course indicated, if Mr.. Wilson's.
statements were true. 1t is evident,
whatever course our government may
take, if it approves the demands made
by Consul Wilson, it can do nothing more
than apologize for the capture of the
Florida in Brazilian waters. 1t cannot,
under such circumstances, listen TO any
proposition for the return of The Florida