Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-22
The SoIdisrs' Hinner.

u Imips, Observation-Disclosures 100
The suboined letter from Gen. James w atson Webb,
u S. Minister at Rio, to the Brazilian Secretary OF
State ,s certainly one of the most undpomac pieces
OF diplomacy that we remember ever to have SEEN
The arrogance of its tone is only exceeded by the
promising character Of its statements and the unds
gused malice which evidently prompts its wholly un-
necessary alusions to England Webb's dispatch has
excited the ire of the Yankee press, and wonder
1t is the most uncautoua utterance OF which can
form any notion -
TIE FLORIDA AFFAIR.
LETTER FROM GENERAL. JAMES WATSON wkBB To rHE
BRAZILIAN SECRETARY CT sTATE-AMPLE REPARAT1oN
! TO Be NADR, ETC.
/ LEGATION OF tbs UHITBD STATES; I
Rio Jsnero, Oct IA, 1864 I
The underatgned envoy extraordinary and minister pen
m % he oe o &
Joan Pedro Das Viers of the Council OF his
eign Affairs which calls attention Of the under
gs eyed violation of the Reurality of Brazil
ander OF The United states corvette Wachuset in cap
turing the port of Bahia armed vessel which,
upder Of the Florida is styled yesseLof
belonging certain States OF the Federal Union that
Government of the United States, and vessel which the
declares has nationality and insists,
in a respects and for all purposes that she is pir-
The undersigned official Information regard to
/
ereiguty of Brazil beyond that contained in the Of
Excelency the Minister of Foreign fails He accepts
it's particulars reserving rhelss right amend
which have occurred in this statement,
from the fact that only an parts relation from the
The un6ersigned before entering upon graver nterna
tiona questions to which his attention has been led ad
tia it is competent for him. an act OF Justice to his
and % MS so0a to MAKE some s
men the United States actually belIgerent Pow
and not band of rehelioas traitors against the
which they allegiance, Of which they al
ways formed part and from which, for purposes OF
or peace they separated The facts of
in regard to their pretenslons constitute begeren
Power the United States here considered The
war vagng between the government of the United
States the part Of the Southern people on tho other
commenced or the 18th of April 1851 and was known in
England about the Let OF Esy n the same year Blk dsys
afterwards Lord John Russs Secretary OF State for For
M nne hoosG T 1r s Pre-
belgerent Power, and fifteen days after the Engsh
government received notice that rebellion had broken out
In oeunya sfotune to which all nations are sub
ject, and which neither England Brazil
zsd those in Tebeion against the soTerumont
ington belligerent Power. and possessing in her
Whom ibay rebead Ia bref Enrls9d dsepades the goT
of the Used States to the level oil those who
in opsnrebean against its authority and elevated the
b TO PSs0n s e. sqsG % aan s wt
friendly relations, both commercial and political
@ AZ would have been the recognition Of the indspend
and sovereenty Of the socasd Confederate States
oud unq uestionably have been 30 considered France
and other European Immediately sustained
the great iDjusce Of England to which Brazil aIso
soon as possible gave her sanction and approval.
The Undersigned does undertake to say that, by
adopting such course Brazil acuated by hostile
sentiment neighborng and always friendly power and
herself and the States of this continent to sustain
reciprooaly the American system of politics as distinct
that Of Europe 1t is quite probable that she
ceeded because it is the of Brazil TO follow poll
in accordance with that recognized by the European
Powers Nevertheless cannot but regard the act as pre-
boring and friendly PoWer Lot your exceIency now ask
yourself what would have tho sentiments of Brazt
after learning OF disturbances and rebellion In the interior
of Brazilian empire, the Government CT the United
states, without examining into the nature OF the rebellion
and ignorant alike of its or its Justihcaonl any
existed-shoud unite itself with European Powers to
acknowledge begerents the ebeious Provinces and
imperial government, giving them eqGal rights in their
ports begerents and making them in everJ respect
Without the least doubt, such proceeding would have
been conedeed most fragrant act perpeatod by the
good GGstLs beut Unquesonaby BAIL would have
against the United states tor the perpetraton
of outrage abe would still have the right remon
rae against as au unrendly and Unjust act to which
she submitted only because she able to repe it.
This precisely what the United States obliged to
do being able declare against whole world
and at the time, repress gigantic rebellion. If
acted she would the hand have secured
to triumph of the rebellion and, 9th
err led the dsme nberment OF great American Pow
er imp for ths development of
representative government ana SO necessa
~ protect the States OF the contineot against
European intervention. There doubt that the nten
Great Britain in ackno siedgng the rebels beg
consider their principal journals and the
speeches OF their principal both aid OF Par
lament Interpreters Of her Viewswas to achieve by
indirect Ehat she could not attain by Inhods
direct. England has m1ah right to declare that our
government obiIerated and The Union dissolved by
acknowledging the sovereignty ana Independence of cur
rebels within weeks having heard of rebel
lior as abe had rights of behger-
ents Bot lacked ths to MAKE this declara
the of Europe and to meet the just 1ldgna
tion which would have fallen upon her. Instead Of this
she blow which sho well knew might justly be
made calse of war, but which sho 1lEo knew were
not il position reseD aud the of which
she nevertheless mig wen beeVeas rebels certain
ty he 6jdEep 1hnrm Of
republic. Great Britain being the first commercial
and maritime Power the world, the other nations of Eu
rope, followed Brazil this continent, very nat
uraY led to adopt her without perceyng it's
tendency place the greater part OF our commerce IN
the hands of only commercial riVa and also without
the least intention their part to DO an n}atce TO ne
United atAtes the rebels protra0t even
pos,ibly, to consummate the triumph of the rebellion
Snch IS however the upj just policy inaugu
Great Britain. 1t adopted without rehecton
nv all tae Powers of EUROPE of the United States
and American continent By her steadtast friend
Brazil. It DotOaly unjust proceeding oR the part
would still have given stlEulus the rebel
lion If the other nations had entertained tor the least
part CT the kindness and na ~e nave mao
others and they had shown the same respect for la
ernationaI rights which they displayed toward rebellion
and civil var, rebellion in the absence OF foreign In
terVentlOn would have been suppressed more tnan TWO
years with small portion OF the sac rhce which
we have been obliged MAKE and there would have been
no occasion Tor the undersigned TO express MS
for the occurrence Wncn PROVOKED he
Of your E4celency compes the present reply.
The government Of the United States by the Intervention
Cur rebels as belgerents, and to concede
to them the rights and privileges of beigerens. The
same government directed similar protests to a the gov
ernmcns that were induced to follow the examps of snS
land in their ignorance of the tendency OF such an
acknowledgement This protest also to Brazil and
other friendly Powers.
The government the United States particularly in
struced the undersigned to make manifest Brazil it's
confdence and friendship. These sentiments find ther