New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-04
TEE NIAGARA IT LIsBCN.
letter from the u. n. 7Eisisier at Lisbon
TO the London Times.

SIR: IS nearly all the kilograms ana state
rcuts from this city in regard 10 recent oc
curronoe IN the Iagus which have been published II
The Tines and other newspapers, while protesting L
give honest version OF that event reflect IN the mos
unjust and unworthy manner upon the conduct and nj
legged purposes OF the United states ships of war Ming
and Sacramento ask the privilege Of stating The
exact facts in order that they may be compared with
those which have been drawn nom morbid magma
lions.
The ram Stonewau came into the Tagus on Sunday
morning the Goth Of March and moored at the anchor
age assigned TO ships Of war notice was soon after
ward served bv His Naiesty's Government, requiring
she quit the fort within - hours. which lInita-
tiOn expired on Monday, the 41.h about ?. I'd. The
vessel remained in the Tagus until 1890 a. n Tues
day che 2eth OF Marchthat is to SOY, some ~ hours
beyond the time fixed by the notice There no
preence OF force DoeHre 10 warrant this delay for the
Iem bad Just issued from the port Of EeTrol after stay
of seven weeks for repairs had made the voyage De.
tween the two places with remarkable speed and the
tea;her was tine.
The United States ships Niagara and Sacramento
entered the Tagus Monday evening the 9th Of
MsFch FIVE hours after the time for the departure of the
Stonewal had expired and came 20 anchor al O'Clock
about three-quarers OF a mile above Belcm Castle
which marks the conventional line Of inner entrance
tbo port, and is two and half miles below the
regular anchorage Of ships Of war. Fort 81. Julian
enas the other entrance at the bar, five miles beyond
Be,en Castle
MS Majesty's guardship Sagres was moored above
Polen Castle when the Niagara and Sacramento en-
tered and a subordinate officer Of that ship of
and conveyed. By means Of person called an inter
prefer, verbal request 20 the effect that the pres
OF the StoneWal lad eXced inlch anxiety, IL was
desired that the two ships should remain near the
Castle. and should not 20 out for q hours after the
SionewaH.
Commodore Craven commanding the Niagara. at
once accepted this verbal message as II il had ten
formal communication, and voluntarily gave his adhe-
siOn TO both conditions IN Of respect to friendly
Government though neither Of them was obligatory for
two reasons-frst because he entitled to in the
absence Of specific O1ense % the regular anchorage
az ships Of war and next because, as Portugal bad
declared neutrality conceded begercrt rights
the nsurgent communities IN the United States such
restriction that proposed was not applicable 10 the
case. No official notice Of any kind given 10 Com.
InodOre Craven the Minister Of the United States
rhe StOnewall started out on Tuesday morning the
2sth of March az 1890 O'Clock. When all alarm was
supposed 20 have subsidized orders We're given at 3I5
T. n.-neary five hours afterward, and when the idea
of pursuit absnrdtO move the ships 10 the usual
mooTings for convenience to the city, Owing 10 the
state OF the TIDE the bows OF a! he shipping IA port
were pointed toward Belem Castle. The Niagara and
sacramento under the exclusive direction OF Port
pgueee pilots wearing the uniform and other insignia of
HIS Ma estys Government The Sacramento never ad
vapoed inch from her first position but backed and
turned.
Owing 20 the great length Of the Niagara the Portu
gueee pilot did not see NJ 10 attempt similar move
meut blt with sweep ia thc river described the arc
OF circle 10 carry her Ia tie anchorage ground
IL executing that mOyemeIt the Niagara passed near
10 His Maj, stys ship Sagrcs, the. lying between the
Niagara aud Belem Castle. from which all the verbal
n essgees ha,l come and vi ch is charged with the
sTeeia duty Of enforcing The regulations Of the port
tnd all orders of the GOVernnent relating ~ foreign
dips objection OppOsii Oh OF any sort Was init
mated nv the SfHlcf, ana J1i cl Nas ihf NIslDt al
lelem Cas-. e.
As the cara proceeding on he way, and at
DO time within several hundred sax Of TIE cOnyen
tona line O exit from and ersaHce 10 :Ac port Reem
Castle witLot warLirg inquiry, % prcdution. opened
" fire against the sb.p Of three hod guns in quick
succession. I've flag Of the Niagara immediately
dipped in sign u acknewledgmcsi. The firing ceased
during the space Of few minutes aud then sud
denly resumed when the flag Of the NIAGARA hosted
al the peak Notwithstanding which and while her bow
was actually turned to the city. te firing continued
ore ball striking the "poit quarter and two Others
elsewhere.
While the firing was goneOn. an officer Of the guard.
ship SaeTes presented himself board the Niagara 10
o. Press reeIet q this violence stating al the time
fha il must have originated in some strange mistake
a. IN ship had received orefs 70 permit The Niagara
and :, crasaento proceed % at PIP H. that day
loui and quarter before they began to move at all
If such was the desire Of tie Commodore
nv a orc yidental Interpolation lie was lost. and
no 1iufy w. as afflicted Commodore Craven, with rare
lfc'roman. in the face of such marked pIoyocation,
adj moi return tie fire Of the Castle and TO his discre
ION alone NAV be attributed The happy exemption from
causes Of MOURN 1g which every friend Of humanity
, nureejate and rejoice at lie considered and treat
"a these repeated a, Is Of hostility proceeding from
IA eYrsss of PEAL on the part Of cOmmandant. Who'll
ber ignored or mist Understood bis DUTY and he tesi
80 his frondsbn for nd his confidence in the justice
81 MS Waicstys Government by refusing to take thej
yCdrees in bis own hands. -
This Is not The proper place to speak OF ne diplo
attic act on which followed but u MAY be SAID as anI
sswef 20 much mlsetaieucut that NE TepeseDtauon