The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-24
THE UNITED2 STA TES AND BR.4ZIL.
Temporary Rupture.


Temporary Rupture.
There has been rupture Of diplomatic rela-
tions between Brazil and the United States,
General Webb, the United States Minister at
Rio, having demanded and received his pass
ports from 'the Imperial Government. The
facts are thus stated inca letter from Rio:
The difficulty arose out of she old demand Of
the American Government, dating as far back
as the year 1857, for indemnity in the case OF
the American whaleship Canada. That vessel.
it may be remembered, was in the month o.
October, 1856, taken possession OF by Brazilian
soldiers when on the Gercas Reef, near the
mouth OF the Rie Grande de Norte, in Noyem.
ber, 1856. and, in spite Of the remonstrances OF
the captain and crew who got her afoat and
ont Of danger, her cargo was sold and the pro-
ceeds deposited in the Brazilian trs asury in
1857. Reclamation was made by the American
Government in January, 1857, and was reject.
ed BY Senior Paranhos, Brazilian Minister OF
Foreign Affairs, who charged the captain of the
Canada, bis three mates and twenty-five sea-
men with deliberate perjury.
During the civil war 10 the United States the
claim slept but in July, 1867, MIR. Secretary
Seward ordered the United states minister at
this court to renew il, the damages, with inter-
est, amounting to the SUM OF $4Oo,0Oo. Inc
minister accordingly placed the order OF his
government in the hands OF the foreign secre-
tary here on the 21st OF August, and on the 1st
of November, 1858, when 1t was presumed that
the Brazilian government had had time to
make the necessary examination, he made his
formal demand. During the next ten months
the claim was discussed with four different
beng Senor Paranhos-the same gentleman
who had rejected 1t 1857 who, without Civ
ing any notice OF his intentions TO the Ameri-
can minister here, directed the Brazilian min
lister, in Washlueton to ask MIR. Seward for
re-examinatlon OF the claim With the view to
change Of his instructions TO The American
minister here. MIR. Seward promptly promised
this re- examination, and General Webb. arr1v-
ing In Washington before it was concluded,
advised the adoption Of the e1aminsr's report
TO compromise for less than one-fifth Of the
original claim, including interest. The ADVICE
was adopted, and General Webb was author
lied to propose TO the Brazilian Government
the payment Of the gum OF $4,000, full satis-
faction.of he claim.
On the S1st Of March, General We BIB placed
in the hands Of the Baron de Cotegipe formal
note, IN which he copied at leigth his nstruc-
tious from Mr. Seward, and made the proposal
he vas ordered by his government to make,
confning himself, in so doing, to the language
Of his instructions. On the 24th OF April, the
American packet being about TO sail on the
25th, and General Webb beng Ill In bed. he
Y. Y. Underwood, to the Baron de Cotegipe's
residence, to inquire whether he accepted or
rejected the offer Of compromise made by the
Government Of the United States, In order that
bs might report the result by steamer on the
following day. The Baron, then, for the hrst
time, repudiated the instructions issued by
MIR. Seward and embodied IN General Webb's
l;o~okob and aoid IN Mr. TjdOarWnnd Qccnrd-
ing to his official report to his minister: "All
action on General Webbs proposition from the
United States Government is declined, be-
cause, inasmuch as the minister from Brazil In
the United States has not advised this govern
ment that he has been informed by MIR. Sew
ard Of his having issued renewed inst,u :tlons
to the United States Minister in Brazil, no ac-
tion can be taken upon such instructions aDtil
such advice has been received from our hinis-
ter, Informing this government that the matter
has again been referred to this legation"
Against this extraordinary decision General
Webb demonstrated, stating that IT such
course was persisted fn he would resent the
offence to his government and demand his
passports, stating at the same time that SIM.
Ole rejection OF Mr. Stewards proposal to COM
promise would be perfectly satisiactoty, be-
cause that wolld be recognizing the minister's
Instructions, thereby removing all cause OF
offence. The Baron de Cotegipe refused to
read or receive the letter; insisted that the
Government Of the United States had treated
their minister with disrespect; and that what
purported to be renewed instructions would
not be received. The Secretary of Legation
replied that it was his minister and the dignity
Of his government that were outraged, and
took his leave, bringing with him the letter.
On the following day the rejected note was
again handed to the Baron, and left with BIN.
On May 8, General Webb wrote scathing
letter to the Baron. 10 it he used the follow
3Has no other nation but that OF the Impe-
rial Government just susceptlbllties to be
woundedp May not republic, boasting OF its
forty millions Of intelligent and enlightened
freemen, be as susceptible to coutemptuous
treatment as the Imperial Government OF Bra
I'll, based as it is upon the institution OF human
slavery? And is it not within the present ultra
mouarchical and reactlonary administrato OF
Brazilian affairs that the undersigned. the duly
accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary from the United Sta, cs, may
have susceptibillties to be wounded, quite
as much entitled to consideration aud res
pect as are the just susce ,tibllties OF the Min
lister Of the Imperial Government in Washing
ton?"
General Webb demonstrated in vain.
sharp correspondence ensued. The Baron re-
turned General Webbs first letter as insulting,
and on NAV 10 General Webb demanded his
passports. They we're sent him on the 18th.
The General packed his traps and engaged
passage on the alerrlmack.
at o. clock General Webb embarked. BY
order OF the government, the steamer was de-
tanned two hours. The Baron appeared ap.
palled at the storm be bad created. Webb re-
fused to parley. The Baron then gave way,
and, lust as the anchor was being raised, he
recognized the validity OF Secretary Stewards
instructions, conceding all that General Webb
demanded. Webb's trunks we're tossed back
on the wharf, and Webb himself fol owed them.
limping down the gang-plank OF the MerrI-
mack with a peculiar satisfaction. His wife
acccmpanied him. Everybody seemed joyful,
aud the diplomatic combatants resumed their
fraternal relations.
JOHN CHINAMAN