The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-31
Diplomatic Correspondence on the ''FIo-
Tidao Seizure.

Tiuh" SEIZURE
WASHINGTON Dec 3d.
II appears from official correspondence that ON the
1lth OF November Secretary SEWARD wrote to BIlnis
ter WEBB that this Government had Just heard OF
the CAPTURE OF the R0ridH by the Jgaclusett, at
Bahia and Of the consequent hostilites adopted by
the BRAZILIAN forces in that port, and that IN
this stage OF the matter the President thought
it proper that hr. WEBB should inform the
Minister for Foreign Affairs that are not indis-
posed 10 examine the subject on its merits caro-.
fully, and to consider whatever question may arise
out of It, IN becoming and friendly spirit il that
spirit should be adopted by his Imperial Majesty
Government.
ON tho 18th OF December Mr. BARBosA cb1y1e
q" GBnfcs dd interim addressed Secretary SEWARD
etter IN reference to tho seizure of the FlOr,lI
calling II an at Of the most transcendont gravity
which inYO we'd a manifest violation of the terri
tOria jursd ctiOn Of the empire, and an OfFsnse TO
Its honor and sovereignty. He enters in'o the par
ucuais OF the seizure, and concludes by saving on
this OCCASION remembering the United States whose
antecedents are well known and noted IN history nv
the energetic defense OF and respect for neutrn n MS
OF these unshaken principles the undersi gned can
not consider the event which red az Bahia
otherwise than as the individual act OF the Com
mandor Of the BdchUseH not authorized or
approved by hs Government and that It will
consequently give to the GOyernm mt of ms Majesty
the Emperor the explanations and repaTations
Wmch, III conformity with international laws, are
due TO power when maintains friendly and pacific
relations with the United States.
"lhc just reclamation o Iho Imperial Government
being thus presented the undersigned awaits the
reply OF the Hon. Mr.. SEWARD and fully conHdIng
IN bis exalted wisd and in the iustc6 of the TO-
vernment of the United States he has not even lor
moment dOubied bur that 1t will be as satisfactory
as the inconiesuble right which aids the emDire.
ana the vast gravity Of the Otiense winch was done
to IL may require"
Secretary SEWARD in his reply says:-"Icalousy
Ol foreign lnerYentlO In every form. and absolute
non1hterVentlon in the domestic affairs of foreign
nations, are cardinal principles the policy of the
United States lOu have therefore Justly expected
that inc President would disaYOw and regret the
proceedings at Bahia. lie will suspend CaptaIn
COLLINS, and direct hlm to appear before Court
MARTA.
"Ihe Con sui at Bahia admitsIthat he advised and
invited the capture and was active in the proceed.
ings. lie will therefore, be dismissed The fIag of
brazil will receive from the United states Navy tbe
honor customary III the intercourse of Ir1endly
maritime powers 1t is not to be understood, how
ever mat tns Government admits gIye5 credit %
The cha Res OF ialsehOod, treachery and decepuon
Wihch arc brought against the Captain ana the Con-
These charges are denied on the authority of the
OthCers accused, and the Secrotar, aso takes oeca
sion 70 sal mat ms Government disalows the as.
sun P'lVh lhal tue insurgents OF this country are a
lawful naval ielligeront, and, on the contrary II
maintains that the ascnpton OF that charic-
er pi the Government OF Brazil 10 insur-
gent citizens OF the United States who have
hitherto been and who still destitute of naval
iOrc0s ports and cOuTts Is an act of nervcntio IN
derOgatCn OF the laws OF nations and unfr,end y
ana wrongful as It rs maniiestly injurious 70 the
After iurther remarks, nc says:-oIt doe, not
however belong TO the captains Of ships-oi-yyar OF
tho United States or 20 the commanders Of their
i'i'o VI " tliN boIHulb ltcluing IN foreign
aohng without the authority OF Congress and with.
out even Executive direction. and choosing their
own me ahnor ana OCCASION, 10 assert the rights
and redress the wrongs of the country. ThIs p6wer
can he lawfully exercised only by the Government
of The United states
"AIthOugh the crew Were-enemes of the limited
STATES and, as they contend, enemies of the human
race, yet the offenders were nevertheless unIaw-
mY brought into the custody on tbis Goycrnpent
and therefore they could not lawfully be subiected
here TO tho punshment winch they deserved
nor oOuld theyi beng enemies, DO allowed 20 enjoy
uo IOteSuoh OF ne United states. Ihey will
theroioie be set at liberty to seek q refuge wherever
thoY may find IT, with the hazard of recap ure when
DtY 'nd tine ursdiction OF tins Government
The cntiie correspondence will mover be officially
pTOmulga ed '