Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-01-09
Ne. aAHsozA 70 M. SEWARD.



Washington, Dee. II, 1864
The undersigned, Charge dAhaires
ad interim Of r NJ the Emperor of
Brazil, has just received orders from his
Government to address himself without
delay to that Of The United States of
North America, about an act Of the
most transcendent gravity. done on the
morning Of the 7th Of October last, 10
the port Of tbs capital Of the Province
OF Bahia, by the war-steamer Wachusett,
belonging 10 the navy of the Union, sn
act which violates the manifest terrific
rial Jurisdiction Of the Empire, and an
offence TO its honor an1 sovereignty.
On the fourth day Of the month re-
terred to, there entered that port, where
already had been lying for some days
the Wachusett, the Confederate steamer
Florida, for the purpose declared by her
commander to the President OF the
Province, to supply herself With ali
mentary provisions and coal, and to re-
pair some tubes Of her machinery.
The President, proceeding in accord.
ance with the policy Of neutrality which
the Empire resolved to adopt on the
question in which unfortunately these
States are involved, and in conformity
with the instructions in this respect is
sued by the Imperial Government on the
23d Of June of the year last past, as
sented to the application Of the com
mander Of the Florida, and fixed the
/ term of forty-eight hours for taking in
| supplies, and fixing, in dependence on
the final examination by the engineer oi
! the arsenal, the determination Of she
residue Of the time which, peradventure
/ should be deemed indispensable for the
completion Of the repairs
The same authority at once took, witt
the greatest impartiaiity, all the meas
ures necessary to avoid any conflict be
tween the two hostile steamers. The
Florida was placed under cover Of TO,
batteries Of the Brazilian corvette d
Januaria, on the inshore side, at the re
quest Of her commander, who, reposinl
on the faith with which, without doub
the chief authority OF tho provine
could not fail to inspire him, considered
himself sheltered from any attack Of tn
adversary, and in this confidence no
only stayed a night on shore, but CAV
liberty TO a great part Of the crew G
his vessel.
It behooves me to say that as soon q
the Confederate steamer entered h
port at Bahai, the American consu
Wilson, addressed to the President
despatch claiming that the Florid
should not be admitted to free partiqu,
and that, on the contrary, she shoul
be detained, alleging for this, ths
that vessel had, in concert with th
Alabama, violated the neutrality Of Ii
Empire Of Fernando de Noronhe. Sue
aggravated pretsnsions, founded 0
facts net proven. which had alread
been the subject Of discussion betwee
: the Imperial Government and the Leg
ion OF the United States, could not (
: even listened to.
II the President should have refuse
the hospitality solicited By the eomman
, e. OF the Florida, be would have infrin
/. ID not Only on the duties Of neGtrai
Of the Empire, bat also those of huns
+, ity, considering that steamer, coLIiI
from Teuerife, had been sixty-one da,
at ses, vss unprovided with food. al
With machinery in the worst condition
Afterwards, the President hAyir
stated to the same consul that hs hope
. from his honor and loyalty toward
friendly nation, that he would settle wi
the commander Of the Wachusett that
should respect the neutrality and SOW
'' eighty Of the Empire, be was answer
afirmatively, the consul plsdging
word of honor. Things we're in this &C
ditior, the term Of forty-eight hours
ing TO expire al o'clock of the aft
noon Of the 1th, when, about GawH
tS' that day, the commander OF the steam
Wachusett, suddenly leaving his snch
: age, passed through the Brazilian vess
of-war and approached the Florida.
aE On passing across the bows Of
q Brazilian corvette D. Januaris, he '
: hailed from on board that hs m