Washington telegraph., 1865-01-04

The history of the Florida case is briefly as
70 lows: In her cruise in the South Atlantic
she rar into the Brazilian harbor Of San Saliva
dor. or Bay of All Saints, oftener called Bahia
This is port of heavy trade, the city having a
population largely over 1000, it being the
second city in population in South America
Lying as she did under the guns OF the Brazil
ian fortiications her officers deemed her safe
from attack.
The Yankee government had. however, de-
termnsd that the Florida should be suppressed.
Unable to take her in fair naval warfare, orders
had been issued to cut her out Of the first avail
able port in which she might De found The
Wachussets was one of the steamers sent for
this purpose. 1t was believed that she might
be thus taken and destroyed, and the breach Of
neutrality afterwards covered up, as il had been
done in cases before by an apology. This we
do net think was Welles' plan. 1t smacks by
far too much of both Lincoln and Seward to al
low Us to suppose that anybody else could have
gotten it up.
The Florida was known to be in Bahia, her
crew OH liberty, and the vessel easy prey.
The Wachussets ran in upon her in dark
night, thinking perhaps first TO sink her and
leave the port authorities none the wiser. She
failed in this, but net TO be foiled, took the
cruiser in tow and putting TO sea, sent her north
in charge Of prize crew In due tins she
was anchored in Hampton Roads.
The vessel was now captured and safe in Yam
kee hands. Itremained ~ be seen what was TO
b. done aboutit. The capture was outrage
IIaraliIne law, and cry Of Indignation arose
at once from every maritime nation. The Wash
ingson tTicksteTs found that no time was to lie
lost. Anticipating complaint from Brazil,
envoy extraordinary was Immediately dispatch
ed, offering the most ample apology, and we
presume t. return the steamer. But TO save
themselves that trouble very good care was t.
ken that the steamer after having sailed for two
ali q.
trip from Bahia TO Hampton Roads, should
prove unseaworthy in smooth water and mys
nously sunk out Of siy INT ia i've tAthonS wafer
What will be done about il We doubt If
anything. Brazil is soncwh hat Of d warlike
ton Tor South America; mas army Of 81, 900.
and a navy Of 90 or 10 vessels, but its trade
with the United States is very heavy and not to
be discarded. Besides this, although slave
country, the interests Of Brazil DO not lead that
government to hope for the success Of the Con-
fedeTates in this war. The productions of the
Empire coffee, sugar, cotton, Tiss, tobacco,
etc Since tbs beginning Of the war its pro-
ductOn of cotton has risen to hve times what In
was previously, while the Increased price VI all
the stapes ia tile markets OF the world has made
the value OF its exports three times what they
formerly were. The Brazilian. Government will
not b. hard 10 satisfy.
There viii be no war The Washington Gov
ernment has calculated this matter, and knows
what sort Of an apology to send and will send
it Ii may be all the other maritime powers will
acquiesce. Our best remedy is 10 send out cot
ton and buy better Florida IT some Of our ac-
commodatng friends across thc water, who,
however little they may care lur justice, tine
privilege Of asylum 10 beligcrcnts, OF the rights
of neuras OH their own soil, have never yet
failed to see the ''msin chance when il has
been offered them.
a. for the Florida, she j. gone but her histo-
IN has dimmeG that of all previous naval *
ploits. No enterprise iii this war has told more
signally, and it will not be long a worthy
successor will plow the waves, wherever Yam
kee commerce j. tempting enough % justify il.
Houston Telegraph