Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-01
THE SEIZURE or TIE FLORIDA.

The withdrawal from Bahia of Mr. Wilson, the United
States Consul not altogether 10 consequence OIL the
assault made upon his residence BY tho mob headed by the
rebel officers on shore His official relations with the Gov
eminent of Brazil were interrupted by order from the
President Of the Province acting for the Emperor Mr.
Wilson, appears on the arrival of the Florida addressed
this functonAry letter. protesting against her being al
owed admission into Baha to procure coal and other sup
plies the ground that she was not commissioned as
vessel of by any recognised Government and had vo
lated the neutrality Of Brazil by capturing American vessels
in Brazilian waters at the Island Of Fernando dc No
ronha, in April 1863 The President Of the Province re-
piled that the Emperor recognised the rebel authorities
beigerents and allowing the Florida the assistance re-
qared by humanity did conflict with the neutrality of
the country If the Florida had violated the laws of Bra
z that would not warrant subordinate in committing
acts amounting to hostile rupture, without the nterven
ton Of the supreme authority Subsequent to this corre
spondencs. Capt Collins captured the Florida and the
Brazilian President of the Province addressed the follow
ing letter to Mr. Wilson
PALACE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BAHIA,
October z, 1864
SIR: The undersigned having been informed of the ser
outrage perpetrated by the steamer Wachuset Of the
United States of North America in violating the neutrality
OF the empire and Conforming its sovereignty by capturing
treacherOusy and under shade Onght within the very
port Of this capital the steamer Florida of the Confederate
Staes and addition to the most sacred regulations
OF international law observed among civilized nations pro-
hbtng the commission OF such repIehsnsbe acts by civil
lied nations the undersigned regarded pledge OF re-
spect for the neutrality OF Brazil the word OF honor OF Mr.
T. f. Wilson tho Consul of the United States OF North
America, who, in the most explicit terms, undertook to
compliance the part Of the captain of the said
steamer Wachuset with his duty by respecting the sove
regny of the empire and by absainng from all hostile
acts whatever wthnts territorial waterthe undersgned
cannot refrain from protesting soemny and energetcay
against the outrage alluded to- and the more 30 a. he con-
siders the Consul himself implicated therein, inasmuch
notwithstanding hs formal promises he has volunteered
no explanation tending to diminish his responsibility
And the and the silence hitherto observed
on the subject by the Consul Of the United States evil
IDENTITY prove that the undersigned longer cOn6de 10
the said Consul to the neutrality and sovereignty OF
the empire to be respected by the begeent vessels of the
said States he has resolved to interrupt official relations
VITA him until the Imperial Government which is about to
informed of this unexpected and deplorabe event. shall
have deberaed upon the subject in full possession OF AL
the facts and in accordance to s superior wisdom The
Consul 10 likewise hereby notified that positive. orders
been to-day issued to the different authorities to re
fuse admission to the Wachuse into any OF the ports OF
this province For this purpose the most energetic aud
forcibe will be employed (accordng to the ntruc
tons of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Of June 3d. OF last
if such shall be rendered by the reluctance
and criminal obstnacy manifested by that steamer in failing
comply with the ntmaon conveyed to her, thus con.
tnung to infringe upon the duties imposed by international
law and the honor and dignity Of her own nag.
ANTONIO JOAQUIN lie SILVA GoMLZ