The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-06
GHSERAL VERBS COMMUNICATION
TO BRAZIL.


The New York World of yesterday pub
Ilshed General WEBB's communication to the
Brazilian Government, on the subject of the
seizure Of the Florida. In commenting upon
the document, the World censures General
WEBR for his imprudence in anticipating the
action OF his Government; for his undiplOmatc
proceeding in yehemently protesting against
the conduct of foreign Powers in according
The Rebels belligerent rights; and for his in
Weighing especially against the conduct of
Great Britain. To this criticism General
WEBB has undoubtedly laid himself open by
the tenor of his communication. 1t remains,
however, to be seen whether he has miscon-
strued the sentiments of his Government, for
If 80, whether they can disclaim the official
proceeding of their Envoy Extraordinary aud
Minister Plenipotentiary.
General WEBB was indiscreet in denouncing
the course Of foreign Powers, but according to
The opinion which we have already expressed
on the Florida question, his view of the
seizure is that which the United States are
bound in honor to admit Whilst strenuously
maintaining that the Florida and similar YES
sells are licensed pirates he admits that the
Immunity which they enjoyed in other waters
must inhere in them equally in the waters of
Brazil. He says 1.-THE undersigned believes
himself to be authorized TO assure your Ex-
cellency, that all the reparation which honor
and Justice exact will be very freely offered
and much more freely and promptly than
if the act had been committed by al
American cruiser in the waters Of the mos
powerful nation of the world. But, while
making this reparation, the Government of thu
United States will offer, without doubt, tn,
Gmende honorable under protest. She will
say to Brazil that she denies, IN toto, TO an.
nation or nations, as soon as rebellion break
GU. in the dominions Of any friendly power
and without any examination or investigation
whatever, and without knowing or pretending
to know the merits of the contest, the right t
declare that the Rebels constitute a belligeI
ent power, and by means OF procamatio
open TO them all the ports ofthe world on term
equal TO those conceded to the nation agains
which they rebel" This is the gist of Genera
WEBB's communication to the Brazilian Gov
ernment. Injudcious and undiplomatic
certainly is, but the truth of his allegation
cannot be cOntroverted.
The subject of this imbroglio has been dI
cussed from an entirely wrong stand-poiI
The chief arguments which have been adduc,
for our course 20 Brazil, are those derived fro
alleged precedenls furnished by the condu
of England. The article, which we believe
have been enormously attributed to N
SUaEER, CLEANS eyid nee almost from &
times of antiquity to prove that England
repeatedly violated international law. Ev
admitting for moment, what is not true, til
ali the examples in that article are pertinent
the question, what are we to infer? Dc
England and England alone, promulga
international law? Is England the sole q
pcsltor OF international law? Is her VIOLATE
o. it sufficient excuse tor ours?
We can understand the intention OF furnis
ing precedents against England, if 1t Is