National Republican., 1884-04-04

and Panama, with an indemnity to tho fam.
lily of the seaman who was killed on board Of
that vessel
2. An apology for the offensive manner in
which Commander Pages proposition for an
exchange of the ratification Of the treaty
concluded March a. 1858, was received, and
for the repetition of that oflensive manner
toward Mr.. Fitzpatrick, afterward sent as
commissioner to Paraguay.
3. A suitable indemnity in behalf of tho
United States and Paraguay Navigation com
pany for their losses and damages incurred in
consequence of the treatment of the servants
of that company by the government Of Para
quay.
H. A treaty of friendship, commerce, and
navigation. embracing the usual liberal prin-
ciples between friendly nations, with the
privilege of continuing scientific explorations
Of the rivers flowing through the valley of
La Plata in order TO develop their capacity
for commerce.
Under the Napoleon dynasty, when Murat
was king of Naples, several American mer-
chant vessels, with valuable cargoes, were
captured and confscated under protest and
taken into Neapolitan ports Tho entire
proceedings were pronounced arbitrary and
thoroughly Illegal. In course OF time Napo-
leon and all his dynasties went under, and
Naples and the Neapolitans were restored to
their possessions and tho government of their
country once more. But the government of
Naples was held responsible for the seizure
and consequent loss to their owners of these
vessels and cargoes, although these tlagrant
acts were committed under the French.
After lapse of time q thorough invcstiga-
tion and an estimate of losses were made. A
demand for indemnity was made and posi-
lively refused Several years elapsed when
Gen. jackson became president of the United
States, and he, with his accustomed emphasis,
repeated the domand, which was again refused
I,,t thA I,,l inf n
special minister (ITon. John Nelson, of
Maryland) to Naples to press this demand.
Commodore Daniel Il. Patterson (who COM
mandod the naval forces and co-oporated
with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans) was at
this time commander r.in.chiof of the United
States Mediterranean squadron, consisting Of
three fifty-gun frigates and three Twenty-Five
gun corvettes. The writer of this was a
midshipman in the squadron.
1t was arranged that one ship at o time
should mako her appearance Mt Naples. The
commodore went in first, and week after
another ship arrived. Mr.. Nelson then made
tho demand as directed by his government,
1t was refused At the end of u week third
ship appeared, and SO continued. Tho Neo-
politan government became alarmed, began
to look at the condition Of the forts; mounted
additional guns, built sand bag batteries, and
kept up n constant drilling of their troops.
When the fifth ship arrived tho government
gave in, acknowledged the claim, and
ordered it to be paid just as the sixth ship
entered the harbor.
The amount wasn't so large-about $3.50,
| 000-but there was a great principle involved.
This money was owing to owners, captains,
and crews of American merchant vessels,
whose property had been illegally and
| unjustly taken from them
And it may be asked when and whether
they would ever have received 1t had it not
been for the United States navy. This fully
illustrates one of Nelson's msxims ITO
negotiate with effect q naval force should
always be at hand"
WASHINGTON, April 3.