Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-12-14
PALACE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
Province OF BAHIA, Oct. S, 1864. .

PALACE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE :
Province OF BAHIA, Oct. S, 1864. So.
In note dated this day, Mr.. Thomas F.
Wilson, Consul of the United States, claims
that the steamer Florida, now anchored in
this port, shall not be admitted to free prac-
tice, nor obtain permission to provide her.
self With coal, provisions, supplies, and
utensils Of any kind whatever, nor receive
on board any person whatever Heshke-
wise requests, that as this cruiser, in cembi-,
nation with tho Alabama, violated the SOW
ereignty of. the Imperial Government of
Brazil, by capturing and. destroying vessels
belonging to citizens Of the United States Of
America, within the territorial waters Of the
Empire, near the Island Of Fernando de
Noronha, in April, 1862; she maybe de-:
tanned with all her officers and crew in2or-
der to answer for this fragrant violation. of
the sovereignty of the Gogernmsnt Of Bra
zil, and Of the rights Of citizens of the Uni
ted States, within the Jurisdiction of the
Brazilian Government. ssl,, 80.
In reply to the Consul, I have to inform
him that as the said vessel belongs to the
Confederate States, in whom the Imperial
Government recognized the character Of
belligerents, all the assistance required by
humanity may be furnished her, which does
in no wise constitute assistance for warlike
purposes as laid down by international law,
| and does not conflict with that neutrality
which this Government studiously seeks to
| preserve, and has always preserved, in the
contest between the States of North Ameri-
ca. The undersigned cannot, therefore,
admit the first portion of the claims of the
Consul, in the general manner in which it
was presented, and particularly in relation
to those articles, considered as contraband Of
war, in conformity with instructions issued
on that subject by the Imperial Govern
ment, and according to which the said yes
sci will be only permitted to remain in this
port for length Of time absolutely indis,
pensable.
In regard to the second part Of this note,
it is my duty to observe to the Consul that,
even ifit were fully established that the
Florida had previously violated neutrality,
such proceeding would scarcely. authorize
| US to refuse her permission to enter the
ports of the Empire, and could never war
rant US to commit the acts required by the
| Consul, which would be equivalent to a
hostile rupture without the intervention Of
the Supreme Government of the State.
which is alone competent to authorize such
a rupture. ...; .,.
| IreneW the Consul the assurance of my
esteem and consideration.
! (Signed)at7
ANTONIO JOAQUIN DA SILVA GOMEZ
To Mr.. Thomas F. Wilson, COlsul of the
| United States -, .--sx.l
INTERRUPTION OF RELATIONS WITH TIL
AMERICAN CONSUL. =
| PALACE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF. BAHIA
October 7, 1864.
SIR: The undersigned having been in
formed of the serious outrage perpetratec
by the steamer Wachusett, of the United
States of North America, in violating th'
neutrality of the empire and contemning it
sovereignty by capturing treacherously ant
! under shade. Of the night, within the YER
0 port of this capital, the steamer Florida, 0
the Confederate States and, as in addition
! to the most sacred regulations Of interRa