Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-28
GREsHAMs INsTRUC-


October nth Secretary Gresham In
structed Mr.. Thompson TO exert himself
I'm favor ~ the innocent trade OF Ameri-
can vessels and OF the legitimate inward
and outward trade Of merchandise be-
LONGING to United States citizens. The
Minister promptly acted, and after CON
ference with Captain Picking, notified
American citizens that they might con-
tlnue loading and unloading their vessels,
using the American flag on lighters anu
launches. on October Goth the Minister
inquired n he could protect American mer-
chandis- on Brazilian barges, using force
If necessary Secretary Greshams reply
was I'm the affirmative, provided the
barges did not cross MellO's line OF flre.
December 18th Mr. Thompson reports THAT
the British naval officers have ceased pro-
tecting their shipping upon notic' from Ia
CANA that be was about to stop mer-
chandise on RTaZililn bargcs, using force
had done likewise. Then the Minister fell
into what looked very much like dispute
with CAPTAIN Picking. He insisted that
he protect our shipping. and Picking held
that under Secretary Gresham's instruc-
lions they could not unload without eX-
posure Of the Zine Of fire."
CAPTAIN PICKINGs CURT NOTE.
Minister Thompson urged the Captain
following note which he sent 10 Secretary
Gresham as IAN unnecessarily curt note:
UNITED STATES CRUISER
"CHARLESTON,
"RTO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL,
December q. 1909.
"Sr.-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your communication OF the
29d instant. ! acted on your advice once.
very much 10 my regret ever since.
have informed you OF this verbally here
tofore.
Il am, sir. HENRY f. PICKING.
captain United States Navy Com
manding United States Naval Forces.
South Atlantic Station"
The response 10 this WAS the following
instruction from Secretary Gresham.
dated January nth:
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS.
"vexatious Interference with foreign
merchant shipping at a designated an
chorage. or with the li-erage Of neutral
goods between such anchorage and de-
signated landing by random firing not
necessary 10 a regular plan OF hostlities.
and having no other apparent object than
the molestation Of such commerce. is as
Legitimate as 1t t. intolerable. Hence we
have a right 10 expect and insist that safe
anchorage and time and place for loading
and unloading b designated. II practi-
cable. to be interrupted only by "A notice
OF actual intention 90 lombard, or by
notification and effective enforcement Of
blockade.
"The insurgents have not been recog-
nized as belllgercntss and should they
announce a blockade IF the port Of Rio.
the sole test Of its validity VIII be- their
ability 10 make II effective.
"Our naval commander at Rio has been
Instructed as above with regard TO the
protection Of neutral commerce under our
flag. which, il would SEEM represents
only a small part Of the foreign COM
mercial interests aloat I'm the harbor Of
Rio. The British ships there are said
To- outnumb-r those OF the United States
nine TO one, but no substantial inter-
ference with our vessels. however few.
Will b. acquicscod In, unless made ef-
fective with regard 10 all foreign
shipping; and. moreover 50 made ef-
fectivc in pursuance Of some tangible
plan Of orderly military operations"
Admiral Benham arrived on the scene
and took command about this time. lie
escorted American ships 10 the docks,
and finally opened Rio harbor.