The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-14
THE CAPTURE OF THE "TLORIDA"-A
BRAZILIAN AND FRENCH VIEW OF
THE AFFAIR

THE AFFAIR.
From ne Times.
The Rebel organs in London, it will be seem,
are in desperate haste to dcuuuuCc the capiurc Of
the Florida in Brazilian waters. They describe
it as an act Of piracy. They arc so erco in their
indignation, that IL easy enough to see they
have special interest in the matter. They
threaten, that if the Florida is not instantly
released it win DO the duty of all the maritime
Powers OF Europe to interfere and compel her
surrender by the United States to the Confede-
racy This party bluster is not very dignifed it
must be confessed. Besides being altogether unne-
cessary, so far as il could be supposed to influence
our Government in its dealings towards friendly
Power, 1t barely escapes being impertinence in
the present relations existing between Great
Britain aud Brazil for Britt sh journalists TO lec-
ture Ms on our duty towards that country.
series of oyerbearng and insolent acts com
mitted by British officials in Brazil against the
Imperial Government, forced the Emperor 10 sus-
pend all diplomatic relations with England many
months ago. A reference Of the dispute 20
friendly arbihamCnt resulted in the complete
condemnation Of the British Foreign Office on all
essential points, although the umpire chosen was
royal pensioner Of the British Government.
Not single Government in Europe can be found
to-day to justify the acts against which Brazil
complains, and every one Of which have the in
dorsoment of Lord Russell.
On the other hand, and in contrast with all this
the relations of the United States towards BraM
are Of the most cordial and friendly character.
We need only point to the convention provided
for by the late Act Of Congress for opening up,
under B joint Government guarantee, regular
line Of steam communication between New York
and Rio. In that, there was the strongest prac-
tical evidence of mutual respect and confidence
OfrespeCt On the part of Brazil for the good faith
as well as the stability of our Government in the
trying crisis of a desperate civil war-cOnfdence
on our part in tue sincerity Of the professions of
the Emperor as friend Of the United States,
x1hn in nj hn on of
IL Is in the face of these facts, which can hardly
be less well known in London than they are here,
that these ultra dovOtces Of Davis Confoderacy
rush fTanticaly TO the rescue of the independence
and honor Of the Brazilian Government, rs if they
feared that matters might be put TO rights before
their impeTtinences could be heard on this side of
the Atlantic. lt would be proud and graceful
satisfaction for Auglo-Rebcl sympa,hizers, of
every degree, If they could provoke a feeling of
irritation in the mind of the Brazilian Govern
ment against that of the United States. II would
be a compensation, in It's way, for the awkward
ness of the relationship existing between Brazil
and England. II would give some promise that
the United STATES might yet be drawn into
I foreign war before the Rebellion is put down.
And il would at least help TO revive the last lin
gering hope of rebcldom that the terrible grasp in
which the cOnspirstors find themselves may yet,
IL only Momentarily, DO relaxed.
1t will sadly disnppoint these foreign oracles of
Davis if they find that The Government of the
United States and that OF Brazil have come 10 n
friendly understanding on the question of the
F2o,idG'S capture, before their uucailed-for pro-
tests had come TO hand. Il will also gricye our
enemies abroad 90 lind that the brazilian versions
of the capture-one Of which we reproduce this
mOning-arc not supplemented with iuvectiye
against our Government OF It's agents. The story
as given by Brazilian Witnesses is told with AS
much moderation as VIC could expect, and there
\ is not tho slightest reason 10 donbt, that before
many days will have elapsed, Il will be as well
known In Brazil as It is here, that the United
States Goyernment mas no disposition whatever
20 enCroAch, by so much as a hairsbreadth, on the
sovereignty of any friendly power aud least of
all on that Of His Brazilian Majesty.