The New York herald., 1865-01-06


the ettsr-in ~ spirit and alma sufficient for
the unfavorable reception mes with when nrsa pre-
sented 70 the Chamber
The foreign merchants or Bahia depsorc the capture
and removal fFon thsS port Of the steamer Florida and
speak Of - sad occurrence, a. An act of violence
from the American Consul that conflict would take
place IN those hese) waters TO their lament they Join
suspend sny act thar nigh. tend 70 reward the
tcapturers until committee be appointed 70 investigate
the subject closely and inform them Of the precise
by which the Seizure accomplished, and the detri
ment thereby accruing the commerce Of New York
The circumstances connected with the seizure OF the
srnmsns Of the United States and Brazil and would
be q gratuitous the part Of this Chamber TO enter
into such inquiry a. Z s in the foreign merchants Of
Brazil TO interIneddle with the matter.
Your committee, indeed do but regard the complaint
request OF these foreign merchants of Bahia made
through msapprehensons in regard 70 the otter Of
q reward--as outbreak Of disappointment when the
Florida suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn from
For two years these merchants Of Bahia-who depore
the ssad occurrence detrimental 10 American COM
with Brazl-had watched with silent compacency
the avages this anglo rebel pirate had wrought upon
American shipping till the number OF our vessels visit
ing ports OF Brazil in consequence OF this devasta
iion had diminished 70 tenth OF what was prior TO
the breaking out Of rebellion and till large trade
with that empire amounting 70 twenty five or thirty mil
lions Of dollars had passed almost entirely into English
and German hands Yet they uttered not word OF re-
gret did they demonstrate with the authorities OF
Brazil against the use of Brazilian ports by the pratical
craft that waylaid our ships in their passage along the
coast.
The Alabama Georgia and Florida had been often
enough in the ports Of Brazil familiarze the foreign
merchants that country with the nature of the work
given them TO do and hundreds OF ruined mafnesthe
captains officers and seamen leaving behind the charred
wrecks Of burned ships-had been cast upon the
shores OF the empire, penncss and almost naked,
without moving them to sympathy with the sufferers
disturbing the equanimity OF their unconcern But
when OF the vessels employed 10 destroy com
merce is captured under their eyes they touched
TO the quick, and excaim against this sad breach OF
neutratyln
They doubtless called the that the Florida
Of British origin, manned and armed with British
sailors and British guns and that she roamed the
virtue Of 'beligerent right first proclaimed by
Great Britain-usng license never claimed by recog
nzed being FOR ne most part subjects 81
connected with the Florida which, divesng her TO some
extent Of her original character impaired nothing ma
In their estimation seems have been matter Of
tring moment that the few officers in charge Of the
Florida rebels against the Of the United
States and, acting without commission from any re-
cognzed head destroying the very property they
bound TO protect In all this the merchants OF
Bahia, whose address is annexed have given but one
manifestation OF feeling that liz too prevalent In foreign
communities similarly constuted-a feeling Of hostility
TO the flag of Countrywide flag which, hitherto
spected abroad is destined TO for centuries TO
lake, and sea- and ocean, with its stars symbol OF
hope TO the oppressed Of every land and its stripes an
emblem of power TO chastise and 70 heal wherever II
meets foe
1t would have been a Of extreme qualification 10
the New York Chamber Of Commerce had the merchants
Of Bahia awakened earlier day TO the importance Of
American interests in Brazil and when the Florida and
Alabama entrappcd fOurteen vessels in about
days. robbng and burning some in the waters and I'M
der the shores Of the Island Of Fernando de Naroh had
they protested against the outrage This would have
given them title 70 our regard nay, more; if rising
the sentiment that has governed Europe since the
Congress Of Paris they had openly proclameda desire 10
the great highway Of the preserved for the
common good at the common charge, and held sacred
by all the maritime Powers Of the world against invasion
by men war or privateers 80 that private property
not contraband Of war; should enjoy immunity from
capture, such enlightened views would have found
hearty accord in this Chamber and consideration for
( profound respect
II is not the purpose Of your committee to ask this
o. os sss
merchants Of Brazil to precedents in English
history for justification Of the act Of Captain Collins Of
the Wachuse in cutting out the Florida from the port
Of Bahia although English history would be searched in
vain for parallel the which led TO the act
But while your committee are indisposed 70 inquire
into the Of the that TO he
the duty OF the governmentthey will not orbear 10
press the gracaion that prevailed throughout our
nounoed-more especially a. they believe that by vio
lang the neutral waters Of Brazil this vessel had for
What the merchants Of Bahia deplore detrment 70
our commerce, the merchants Of New York hail
this Chamber be rendered 10 Captain Collins for his
courage and conduct In generously subecng himself TO
the risk Of censure and % the possible loss Of his com
mission, in order 70 rid the Of scourgo and our
commerce Of an incendiary foe.
Should, nevertheless the government Of the United
Ss 70 o os 81 1 20
tona wrong the members Of this Chamber Of Commerce
will subordinate all other feelings 70 an honorable
ecquiescence in 30 jnst purpose
Respectfully submitted
ALEX w. BRADFORD
JNO G GREEN
DEFINING DURR
N y GRINNELL
a. r. MARSHALL.
JOHN AUSTIN STEVENS, Jr
Nsw YoHS, Dec. 10, 1861
motion was made that copies Of the report be sent
10 the merchants at Bahia This motion WAS voted
down emphaticalIy. Mr. Denning Duer said that the
Chamber bad already paid too much attention TO those
IL was then ordered that copy be sent 70 Captain
Collins, Of the Wachusetl
rHB POOR OF sAvANNAB-CoLoNEL JULIAN ALLEN
BEFORE THE CHAMBER.
Mr. Low called attention the fact that Colonel Allen
sTu snnS orard and related the ccum
stances attendant upon his visit TO New York Several
gentlemen had called upon bin NJ the Astor House. sup
posing that had TO this city purely business
arranaement He would inform them that no had no
nee TO sell He had simply volunteered his services to
occasion Colonel Allen described the Union feeling in
Savannah a very strong and solicited subscriptions
towards aevaiing distress now existing In that city
among numbers OF the citizens
Mr. s. r. CurruDEr then offered the following rsso-
lutions which unanimously adopted -
whereas II has to-day become known 70 the citizens
or New York through the arrival Of Col Julian Allen,
and the documents In his posseon presented 70 this
meeting that the people Of Savannah are suffering for
the proceedings Of public meeting held in that city on
the l0sh u that the citizens Of Savannah accept the
position and owing strict obedience 10 the laws Of
The United States ask protection for their lives persons
and property under those laws
Resolved, That this Chamber accept the reciprocal
obligation imposed upon the ctizens OF New York by
this voluntary act Of the people Of Savannah
Resolved That in the judgment Of this Chamber the
call provisions for the sufferers ~ savannah Affords
the merchants Of New York opportunity 70 send necd
aid those who In want Of the neceares OF fe
and thai the opportunity 10 most welcome
Resolved, That committee be appointed 70 receive
contributions In money provisions, 70 be placed In
charge Of Colonel Allen and distributed by the Mayor OF
Savannah, and HIS associates OF the COMMITTEES, In 90
corcance with the directions Of the Major General com
manding
committee
Fs Lathrop Jonathan sturscs, W. H Guon, b.
MArsharl, s Deviser j. O. Low, J y Mckenzie, B. n
Taber Thomas Dunham Archibald Baxter, n H Grin-
nell, George " blunt, Hiram walbridge Vim. A. Boole,
v s. wurter, n. wetmore, James Brown, 8 ..
Babcock, A. r Stewart, s. Gandey, A. G. Richards, A.
Stevens, George w Lane Horace Gray Jr, Ezra Nye A.
y. Baylis Denning Duer, = 9. Cowdin, r. H. hcCurdy,
4 Williams Hruc