New-York tribune., 1869-06-21


JANEIRo-PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST THE
GOYERNAIENT-GEN. M'MAHoN AT LAST HEARD
FROM.
IPROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
RIO JANEIRo, May 25.-The great event of
the last fortnight has the rupture Of diplomatic re-
laons betweed Brazil and the United States Gen. Webb.
the United Minister Rio, having demanded and
received his passports from the Imperial Government
The difficulty out Of the old demand Of the Amer
can Government dating a. far back as the year 1857, for
indemnity in the Of the American whaleshp Canada
That vessel il may be remembered. was IN the month OF
October 1885, taken possession Of by Brazilian soldiers
when on the Garcas Reef near the mouth Of the Rio
Grande dc Norte IN November, 1856, and in
spite Of the remonstrances Of the captain and crew,
who had got her ahoat aud out Of danger her cargo
was sold and the proceeds deposited In the Brazilian
Treasury IN 1857, Reclamation was made by the Amen-
Government in January 1857, and was rejected oy
senor ParanbOs Brazilian Minister Of Foreign Affairs,
who charged the captain Of the Canada his three mates
aud % seamen with deliberate perjury During the
civil var in the United States the claim slept; PU "
Julv 1867, Mr. Secretary Seward ordered the United
States Minister at this Court to renew it, the damages
with interest, amounting to the sum OF So"VO Inc
Minister accordingly placed the order of his Government
in the hands Of the Foreign Secretary here on the 2st
Of August, and the lst Of November 1865 when
II was presumed that the Brazilian Government
had had tiue 10 make the necessary eXamlna-
ton he made his formal demand. During the
next ten mouths the claim was discussed with
four different Ministers Foreign Affairs the last of these
being Senior Paranhos-te gentleman who had re-
iected it in ls57-who without giving any notice Of his
intentions 10 the American Minister here, directed the
Brazilian Minister in Washington to ask Mr.. Seward Tor
determination OF the claim with the view TO change Of
his instructions 70 the American Minister here Mr. Sew
ard promptly promised this determination, and Gen.
Webb arriving IN Washington before 1t concluded,
advised the adoption Of the examiners report 10 cOmpro
mise for less than Onefth Of the original claim including
interest The advice was adopted and Gen. Webb was
authorized TO propose tho Brazilian Government the
payment Of the sum Of $4,000, full satisfaction OF the
claim.
On the slst March, Gen. Webb placed in the hands
Of the Baron dc COteglpe formal note IN which he
copied at length his Instructions from Mt Seward ana
made the proposal he was ordered by his GoyernmeQ
10 make coninmg himself in so dong, TO the language
Of his pstrucQns. on the Path Of April the American
packet being about TO s OF t1e 18Th aud General Webb
being 81 IN bed he sent his Secretary OF LegeAQh INC
Hon william v V. Lidgerwood, TO the Baron de Cote
pes residence TO inquire whether he accepted reject
cd tine offer Of compromise made by the Government OF
the United States in order that he might report the
resuif 5y steamer the following day. The
BARON then. for tho first time, repudiated the
instructions issued by Mr.. Seward and embodied IN
Gen webbs dispatch, and said to hr Ldgerwood' ac-
cording to his Official report TO his Minister A acuoh
on Gen. Webbs proposition from the United states GOV
eTRment Is declined begRusel ipasmneA as 1be AHs'SE