Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-01
WILMINGTON SURPRISED Them
Natives Thought She Had
Come to Annex Brazil.
DESCRIPTION OF EXCITING EVENTS
PiIotless, the Boat Went Down
the Amazonas.


Para, Brazil, May 1.-The BRAZIL
ians are still wondering how the Will
mington managed to navigate the
waters of the Amazonas without a
pilot. 1t is feat that has never before
been attempted, but the Americans
seem to be able to accomplish anything
they undertake nowadays. The arrival
of the Wilmington was the signal for
voices to be raised in Brazil-voices
that put the worst possible construction
upon the mission of the little vessel.
She is here on secret errand
inimical to the peace of BRAZIL" said
the voices. Americans want to take
possession of Northern Brazil. - "They
want to learn the mystery of the pas
sage of the Amazonas River" and so
on. These rumors the governor of Para,
DIR. Paes dc Carvalho, most worthy
official, did his best to quiet. He is q
friend of America and n very wise
official, and he saw at once the absurdity
of the talk.
The Wilmington spent u days at
Manaos, and then left for Yquitos,
after taking aboard two pilots. In
some way there had been misunder-
standing. All had been regular SO far
as the Americans were concerned. Hon.
X. K. Kenneday, United States Consul
at Para, had requested from the
governor of the city permission for the
Wilmington to go up the Amazonas.
This permission had to be obtained
FROM the Federal government at Rio de
Janeiro, and it appears that the reply
had not arrived at Manaos at the time
the American gunboat left that port,
so they left without it. On such
small matter do great events turn. The
Latin races are easily excited. They
vented their anger at what they were
pleased to consider an unfriendly action
on the part of the Americans, as evil
denced by the departure of their gun
boat on the supposed secret mission, by
smashing the windows of the American
consulate. and en-strangest revenge
of all-they entered the different saloons
and broke every bottle of beer or iqour
that bore the American label.
Meanwhile, quite unaware of the ex-
plosion that had taken place in the
town they had left behind them, the
Wilmington steamed up the Amazonas,
stopping at Itapexuna. Matura and the
frontier of Leiticio, reaching Yquitos
on April 25th. According to Com
mander Todd, it was pleasant trip,
and there was no sickness aboard. The
Wilmington spent five days at Yquitos,
where she had royal reception. The
Club of Yquitos gave splendid ban
quet in honor of the commander and
officers, and the people offered them a
supply of coal il the Wilmington would
honor them with two more days. stay.
After five days in Yquitos the Will
mington came down the Amazonas,
stopping at Tabatinga, the extreme
point of Northern Brazil, to salute the
flag OF the sister republic. Commander
Todd reached Manaos on the return
trip on the morning of April Dist little
would get The governor of Manaos
the license of the two pilots
that the Wilmington had taken aboard,
and when United States Consul Ken
neday and Commander Todd called on
the governor to pay him an official visit
he refused to see them, giving as an
excuse that he was busy with business
of Importance. The authorities refused
to furnish pilot to take the Whining
ton down to Para. but that fact did not
prevent Commander Todd from leaving
MaDaos just as soon as he was ready to
do so, on May 9Th, and he successfully
accomplished the feat alluded to at the
of this letter, of navigating
the waters of the Amazonas without
pilot.
The men to whom belong the honor
Of achieving the feat which Brazilians
and Portuguese judged almost an i'm
are Commander Todd, Lieut..
Carter and Lieut.. Collins. These
officers took turns at the bridge and
guided the gunboat, both by the charts
drawn by an American committee
which came here 20 years ago and the
notes they had taken while going up
the river last March. The Wilmington
sntered Para on April 2sth. The news
Of the events in Manaos had already
preceded them here, and for many
lays the newspapers had been publish
pg articles not very friendly to the
United States. As far as the press were
matters took turn for the
better on April Both, whom the Para
newspapers began to speak in more
friendly tone. but tho people continued
10 show themselves hostile to the few
Who constitute the American colony
iere and the blue jackets of the Will
nington.
On April Goth, Commander Todd and
United States Consul Kenneday called
IN the governor of Para, DIR. Paes de
Jarvalho, and, as a result of the con-
erence between the three, the follow
ng cable was sent by tho governor to
he minister of foreign affairs at Rio
le Janeiro. | give IL to you as it was
'rinted in the local papers here:
minister of Foreign Affairs, Rio.
The American Consul and the COM
handler of the Wilmington have lust
allied on me, bringing their spontane-
lis excuses regarding the departure of
he Wilmington for the Amazonas be-
ore being received by the authorities
'hich solicited from the federal gov
at the request of the said
onsul, who did not think necessary the
of requesting the permission
n writing, and counting as certain the
of the federal government,
astened the departure.
am confident that Consul Ken
eday was sincere in reaching this de-
ision.
"1n the course Of the conference l
as pleased to receive satisfactory ex-
lanations and protests of sympathy
nd consideration for our country. L
asten to advise you Of this fact, which
a cause of satisfaction for US, thus
laying natural resentments. Greet
lgs. Paes de Carvalho. -
At this writing no American has
cen killed, but the threats and un-
iendly demonstrations on the part of
lie Brazilians have been many. Your
is threatened with sure
oath by lieutenant of the Brazilian
ivy. Many exciting incidents have
ken place, which l will describe in
y NEXT correspondence. Let us hope
! will end we'll. L, Raposo.