[Extracts.]
Mr. Webb to Mr.
Seward
No. 47.]
Legation of the United States,
Rio Janeiro,
May 23, 1863.
Sir: The European and American mail, by the
French steam packet Guienne, reached me on Tuesday evening, the 19th, at
7 o’clock, and brought full reports from our consuls at Bahia and
Pernambuco of the doings of the pirates Alabama, Florida, and Georgia,
on this coast. By their reports, [Page 1266] copies of which they forwarded to the Department
of State, I was informed that the Alabama and Georgia were lying in the
harbor of Bahia, and receiving the hospitalities of those ports; while
the Florida was in Pernambuco refitting and repairing her engine, to
enable her to renew her depredations upon American commerce. They also
reported that they now had on hand about 250 of crews and passengers of
the American vessels captured and destroyed by the pirates; and as the
law makes no provision for the support of ship-masters and passengers in
foreign ports, they asked instructions from me in relation to the course
to be pursued by them now, and under similar circumstances
hereafter.
At 6 o’clock on the following morning I was on my way to this city; and
at 11.30 was in the foreign office, where I learned that the Marquis
d’Abrantes was with the Emperor at the palace of St. Christoval. I
called again at 3 p. m., just as the office was being closed, and was
informed that he was still at the palace, and that when he left there he
would go direct to his residence at Botofoga bay, which is four miles
from here, (the United States consulate.) I was at his residence twice
during the evening, and left word with his private secretary that I
should call at half-past eight on the following morning.
* * * * * * * * *
I got at work at 12 m., and at 1.22 p. m. placed in his hands at Botofoga
my despatch herewith, marked No. 1. Please bear in mind that this was
written, copied, and delivered in person, four miles from here, in my
brief time, and that the necessity for accuracy was paramount to all
other considerations; and find therein any apology necessary for
deficiency in the manner of doing the work.
This morning at a quarter before nine I was again with the Marquis, when
he assured me he was then engaged in preparing a preliminary despatch,
which would be satisfactory, and which I should have in possession late
this evening, or early to-morrow, Sunday—the
steamer not sailing until Monday. This will give
me time to finish this despatch.
* * * * * * * * *
Our consuls at Bahia and Pernambuco having exhibited great energy and
judgment in the discharge of their duties, in the embarrassing position
in which they were placed, I addressed to them each an official letter,
in reply to their communications, a copy of which, marked 2, is
enclosed. All the prisoners, both male and female, were robbed by the
pirates, our consul to Cherpoo being the only one who saved a few
dollars by throwing them into his boots. Passengers and masters are
alike destitute; and being rendered so while under our flag, I think I
cannot be wrong in having directed the consuls to care for them,
precisely as if the law embraced their case.
The pirate fleet—for such it has become—now
consists of six vessels; and will very shortly consist of fifty, if the
pirates can manage to possess themselves of the necessary guns to arm
their prizes. How far they succeeded in Bahia and Pernambuco, I cannot
say; but we know that the Alabama had armed the ships Lapwing and ————,
and the Florida had armed the Clarence, from this port to Baltimore.
There is no difficulty about getting crews, as the foreigners on board
our vessels promptly volunteered to serve on board the pirates; one of
the conditions being, as Semmes admitted to the ladies landed in Bahia,
who sought to recover certain family relics, that his men may plunder
and pillage all crews and passengers captured, but must abstain from rape and murder! Thus
these steamers are not only pirates themselves, but they assume the
right of converting all their prizes into pirates. What commerce can
exist under such proceedings, and who is it that reaps the reward?
* * * * * * * * *
I enclose herewith, marked No. 3, a letter from an intelligent German [Page 1267] gentleman, who came
passenger in the Guienne, and saw the Mohican at St. Vincent, and the
Florida, Alabama, and Georgia at Pernambuco and Bahia, by which it
appears that the Alabama claims to have captured 49 vessels besides the
Hatteras, the Florida 10, and the Georgia 2—sixty-one in all. Semmes, however, is said to claim that the
Alabama alone has destroyed 64 vessels; and the possession of nearly 200
chronometers, which he displays in his cabin, would appear to sustain
the claim; and as our unprotected commerce is just as much in danger
from her armed prizes, with one gun, as from the steamers, and as he
avows his purpose to convert every fast-sailing prize into an armed
pirate, and is actually doing so, the destruction of the fleet, wherever
met with, appears to be a duty which overrides all considerations of
comity between nations, and respect for neutral waters.
Semmes says he is bound for the Pacific, from
which I infer that he is going round the Cape of Good Hope, and into the
China seas; while, probably, the Florida and Georgia will go into the
Pacific, all of them first cruising near St. Helena in the track of our
homeward-bound Indiamen.
[Untitled]
Sunday, May
24, 1863.
Hotel d’Etrangers, 6 p. m.
I have just received from the Marquis d’Abrantes a reply to my
despatch, which I enclose herewith, marked No. 4. It is full of the
most friendly professions and assurances, and I doubt not it will,
in due time, be followed by one disclaiming the acts of the
governors of Pernambuco and Bahia, and condemning their conduct. The
governor of Pernambuco is an Albuquerque, and
belongs to the most powerful and influential family in northern
Brazil.
* * * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
No. 1.
Mr. Webb to the Marquis d’Abrantes
Legation of the United
States, Rio
Janeiro,
May 21, 1863.
The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
from the United States, has the honor to call the attention of his
excellency the Marquis d’Abrantes, councillor to his Imperial
Majesty the Emperor, minister and secretary of state for foreign
affairs, to a gross breach of neutrality, perpetrated, and now being
perpetrated, on the part of the representatives of his Majesty’s
government, at the ports of Pernambuco and Bahia.
When the French steamer Guienne left these ports, the pirate Florida
was lying in Pernambuco, receiving the hospitalities of that port,
coaling and taking on board provisions, and undergoing the necessary
repairs to enable her to continue her cruise. And what was the
openly avowed purpose of such cruise? The destruction of the
commerce of the United States, a friendly nation, and one with whom
Brazil has close and most amicable relations. Did there exist any
doubt of the character of the Florida? Most assuredly not. She was
known to the governor of Pernambuco as being the consort of the
Alabama, and bearing the same piratical flag; and the Alabama [Page 1268] had been declared by the
governor to be a corsair, which had violated the sovereignty and
neutrality of Brazil by outrages upon the commerce of the United
States in Brazilian waters; and, therefore, ordered to leave a port
in the island of Fernando Noronha. And yet, with the knowledge of
the piratical character of the Florida and her flag, and in defiance
of the protest of the consul of the United States, the governor, in
an official communication addressed to the pirate on the 8th of May,
conceded to him the right to remain in port
twenty-four hours to land prisoners, to supply himself with such
coals and provisions, and to make such repairs, as were necessary to
enable him to continue his cruise against the commerce of the United
States.
On that day the Florida, under such authority from the governor, did
land the officers, crew, and passengers of the United States brig
Clarence, from the port of Rio Janeiro to Baltimore, in the United
States, captured by the pirate two days previously, as known to the
governor; and, on the same day, made application to the governor for
permission to remain in port four days instead of twenty-four hours.
In reply the governor, in a communication to the pirate, now before
the undersigned, dated the 9th of May, informed the applicant that,
inasmuch as he represents to him that a compliance with his order to
leave in twenty-four hours will compel him to do so in a distressed
condition, because the repairs to his engine, necessary to his
safety, cannot be completed in that time, and would be illiberal and
inhuman, and expose him to danger, and Brazil to the consequences; and inasmuch as he, the
governor, does not wish to be inhuman or illiberal, or endanger the
safety of the pirate, or to lessen his means of
defence, or expose him to imminent risks, therefore,
believing the representation to have been made in good faith, and
that he cannot in safety continue his cruise (against American
commerce bound to Brazil) unless given time to repair his engine,
the said governor, representing the sovereignty of Brazil, and
recognizing the traitors in rebellion against the United States as
belligerents, does accord to the commander of the pirate bearing
their flag all the time he asks for repairs, and privilege of taking
in such coals and provisions as may place him in a condition to
continue his depredations upon the commerce of a friendly power. A
grosser breach of neutrality has never come to the knowledge of the
undersigned.
There is no difference in the eye of the international law between
taking a part or the whole of a prize into a neutral port; and
although the Florida did not bring the Clarence into Pernambuco,
having fitted her out as a privateer, yet the fact of bringing in
her officers, crew, and passengers, and the goods of which they had
robbed her and those on board, was, to all legal intents and
purposes, the same as bringing in the captured vessel or vessels,
some of which she had burned, and one, at least, armed as a
privateer. And the goods so pillaged and robbed from the United
States vessels were openly sold and peddled in the streets of
Pernambuco; articles known to be worth or to have cost from four to
six hundred milreis selling, as the undersigned is assured, for
fifteen milreis. And thus Pernambuco becoming, as was justly
remarked by a permanent merchant of that place, not an American, “a
mart for the sale of goods taken by pirates out of American vessels
almost within sight of the port; and the pirate captors at that
moment lying in the harbor, and receiving the protection and
hospitality of the port of Pernambuco, with the full sanction of the
government of the province, who is the immediate representative of
his Imperial Majesty.”
The undersigned doubts not but that all the facts of the case have
been officially reported to the government of his Imperial Majesty
the Emperor; and also that it is known to your excellency that both
the pirates Alabama and Georgia were in the port of Bahia when the
steamer Guienne sailed [Page 1269]
from there on the 14th instant. The Alabama arrived on the 11th, and
the consul of the United States, as it was his duty to do, not only
demanded, that as her character was known, and her outrages upon
American commerce in Brazilian waters have been proclaimed and acted
upon by Brazilian authorities, that all supplies should be refused
to her, but that the ship itself should be seized, and held subject
to the action of the imperial government for its piracies within
Brazilian jurisdiction; and for which Brazil would be responsible
were it not that the vessel is a pirate, and belongs to no
recognized nationality.
The undersigned, knowing the character of these corsairs, was
satisfied that the government of his Imperial Majesty had done all
that it was in its power to do when it removed the commandant of
Fernando Noronha from his place, and ordered the pirate to leave its
waters, because the government has not the means of capturing him.
But when the pirate entered the port of Bahia, and placed himself in
the power of Brazil, and in a position where he could be seized, and
made responsible for his piracies upon American vessels within the
waters of Brazil, it was the bounden duty of the governor of Bahia
to have seized the pirate until the pleasure of the imperial
government should be known in the premises. Your excellency will not
for a moment deny, that having, by your official acts, and those of
the governor of Pernambuco, recognized the fact that this pirate has
violated the waters and outraged the sovereignty of Brazil, it is
your duty, when opportunity offers, to vindicate your violated
sovereignty, and by his capture, if possible, remunerate the injury
done to American commerce within your waters. And should the pirate
come into this port when the ability of Brazil to capture and detain
him admits of no question beyond all doubt, the neglect to do so
would be not only an unfriendly act towards the United States, but
would render Brazil responsible for all and every aggression which
he might commit on American commerce after leaving this port.
The law officers of the crown of England gravely decided that the
fitting out of this pirate in the port of Liverpool, and the Florida
and Georgia in Scotland, on a well-grounded suspicion that they were intended to prey upon the
commerce of a friendly nation, demanded, for the English government,
their forcible detention. An order for the Alabama’s detention was
accordingly issued, but arrived at Liverpool within one hour after
she had sailed.
The government of the United States, therefore, has given notice to
the government of England that they will hold England responsible
for all the injuries done to American commerce; and the leading
statesmen of England, on the floor of the house of commons, have
conceded that it was the duty of the crown to have captured her on
the bare suspicion, apparently well founded; and the law officers
having decided that a case of justifiable suspicion was made out,
the government neglected its duty, and cannot plead, in bar of our
claim, that it failed in carrying out a good intention.
* * * * * * * *
The undersigned, therefore, submits to your excellency whether, if
the fact be as stated, that the mere suspicion, well grounded, of
the purposes of this pirate, rendered it the duty of the English
government, according to her statesmen and law officers, to detain
her, what is the duty of Brazil? The Alabama’s purposes, and the
purposes of her associate pirates, sailing under a flag not
recognized by Brazil or any other nation, are no longer subject to
suspicion only. They are avowedly and openly freebooters upon
American commerce, without any nationality, and they have practiced
their calling all along the Brazilian coast, and, in several
instances, to the knowledge and just indignation of Brazil, within Brazilian waters; and yet they
impudently run into Brazilian ports for protection, and to refit, and render [Page 1270] more certain their ability to capture,
pillage, burn, and destroy American vessels, At this moment—or,
rather, as recently as the 14th instant—it is officially reported to
the undersigned that there were no less, than two hundred and
twenty-eight persons in Pernambuco and Bahia, composing the officers
and crews of American ships destroyed by the three pirates now in
the harbor of Brazil; and all of them, captured individuals,
according to law and the decisions of the undersigned, are now being
supported at the cost of the government of the United States, Each
and all of the three pirates have landed their prisoners in
Brazilian ports, made proclamation that they were captured in
American ships, by them destroyed, and then claimed at the hands of
Brazil the right to refit for further plunder
and depredations upon the unprotected commerce of a friendly nation.
With the knowledge of Brazil in regard to the practices of these
pirates, would not her responsibility to the United States, to
humanity, and the civilization of the age, be far greater than was
the responsibility of England in not detaining them on well-grounded
suspicion only? Can there be a solitary plea devised, not founded on
hostility to the United States and a desire to see its commerce
injured, which would justify the government of Brazil in permitting
them to refit in her ports, and supplying
themselves with provisions and coal?
The Georgia lands prisoners avowedly taken from a captured American
ship, and asks permission of the governor of Bahia to coal and buy
provisions, and the permission is cordially granted.
The Florida lands her prisoners, officers, crews, and passengers of
American vessels captured and burned, and not only asks and receives
permission to coal and purchase provisions, but, further, asks to be
allowed whatever time is necessary to repair her engine and refit for her work of destruction; and, in
defiance of the solemn and most earnest protest of the consul of the
United States, this privilege is accorded to her by the governor of
Pernambuco, from a desire not to diminish his
means of defence and security!
The Alabama goes into Bahia, and does not even ask permission to
remain. She arrived on the 11th, and was still there when the
Guienne sailed, on the 14th. The consul of the United States
protested against her presence, and demanded that she should be
seized and held subject to the orders of the Brazilian government,
for having destroyed American property in Brazilian waters, for
which the government of the United States will hold Brazil
responsible, if, now that the opportunity presents, the authorities
do not vindicate the sovereignty of Brazil and capture the pirate.
The governor of Bahia sends to the United States consul the
communication of the governor of Pernambuco to the captain of the
pirate, complaining of his piracies, charging him with a violation
of Brazilian sovereignty, and ordering him, in consequence of such
disgraceful conduct, to leave the waters of Brazil within
twenty-four hours. The governor of Bahia thus demonstrates that he
knows the piratical character of this vessel, and is familiar with
her violation of the sovereignty of Brazil by destroying American
vessels within the waters of that empire. He knows, too, that the
imperial government, by its acts, had proclaimed this pirate guilty
of violations of its sovereignty, and ordered him to leave their
port of Fernando Noronha; and yet he deliberately permits him to
enter the port of Bahia, refuses to regard the protest of our
consul, and, at the last accounts, had harbored him four days
without pretending that his presence was not acceptable!
Thus, at this moment, the ports of Brazil are made harbors of refuge
and places of resort and departure for three piratical vessels,
avowedly designed to prey upon the commerce of the United States.
The waters of Brazil are violated with impunity in this piratical
work, and after the imperial government had admitted and declared
its indignation at such violation of sovereignty, the guilty party
is received with hospitality and friendship by the [Page 1271] governor of Bahia, and instead of
being captured and imprisoned, and his vessel detained, he is feted,
and supplied with the necessary provisions and coal to enable him to
continue his depredations upon American commerce. The wharves and
streets of Bahia and Pernambuco have been, for weeks past, swarmed
with American sailors and passengers from merchantmen trading with
Brazil, which have been captured, and the persons on board robbed,
by the pirates of the Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, and they have
been compelled, in the ports of a friendly nation, to witness their
clothing and jewelry, and even family relics, sold on the wharves
and in the streets of Bahia and Pernambuco by their piratical
captors, at a tenth of their value, while the piratical vessels and
all on board were received and treated as friends, and supplied with
the necessary materials to continue their nefarious practices. The
scenes which history informs us were rife in the 17th century, in
the islands of the West Indies, are now being enacted in this the
19th century, in the ports of Brazil, and that through no fault of
the imperial government—which has already done its whole duty as
rapidly as circumstances have permitted—but because the governors of
Pernambuco and Bahia, in their sympathy with piracy and pirates,
have neglected their duty to Brazil and brought discredit upon the
civilization of the age.
Your excellency is aware that the facts in connexion with the
presence of these piratical vessels in the ports of Brazil are even
stronger than in this hasty communication they are presented; and,
therefore, the undersigned will not for a moment doubt but the
imperial government will promptly visit upon the offending governors
the punishment they have so richly merited. But it appears to the
undersigned that the government of Brazil has still another duty to
perform, itself, to the government of the United States, to
humanity, and to the civilization of the age, and that is, the
capture of the Alabama whenever she enters a Brazilian harbor. That
piratical vessel has violated the sovereignty of Brazil by
destroying the vessels of a friendly nation within the waters of the
empire. The government of Brazil, by its acts, has proclaimed this
fact; and, most assuredly, if, when, it has the power to do so, it
does not capture and detain the offender, it makes itself a party to
his acts and compels the government of the United States not only to
look to Brazil for compensation for injuries done to its commerce
within its waters, but also to hold Brazil responsible for
permitting this pirate to proceed in his depredations upon American
commerce.
The undersigned does not visit upon the imperial government the
conduct of its governors towards the Florida and Georgia, well
knowing that it will, as heretofore, do its duty in the premises.
But the case of the Alabama is a very different one. She has
violated the neutrality and outraged the sovereignty of Brazil by
capturing and burning American vessels in Brazilian waters; and if,
when Brazil possess the ability, and the opportunity offers, she
does not take possession of her, assuredly, the government of Brazil
assumes the responsibility of her acts, and the United States will
be compelled to look for redress to Brazil, as she did to Portugal
in the case of the General Armstrong. The privateer General
Armstrong was destroyed by a British man-of-war, in 1813, in a
Portuguese port. The United States persisted in its demand for
redress from Portugal for more than thirty years. It was then
referred to a friendly power.
The undersigned alludes to this case to show the right of the United
States to demand the capture of the pirate Alabama by Brazil, if
possible, as a duty due alike to itself, to the United States, and
to humanity and civilization. And he takes this occasion to render
to your excellency his cordial respect and confidence, and his most
distinguished consideration.
His Excellency the Marquis d’Abrantes,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 1272]
No. 2.
Mr. Webb to Consuls at Bahia and at Pernambuco
Legation of the United
States, Rio
Janeiro,
May 22, 1863.
My Dear Sir: Accept my warmest thanks for
myself, and in behalf of our country, for the prompt, efficient, and
energetic manner in which you have discharged your duty as consul,
under the trying circumstances to which you have been exposed. Your
conduct not only meets my hearty approval, but my decisive
commendation, as it assuredly will that of the government at
home.
I have had various interviews with the government, and last evening
handed in a despatch of thirty-two pages, which is to be submitted
to a special meeting of the cabinet to-day at 12 o’clock, and I hope
in a postscript to this letter to give you the result.
It does not become me to interfere with your instructions, or to
decide upon the construction of the law; but when the law is silent,
as it must of necessity be in a case like the present, which could
not be anticipated, somebody must assume the responsibility of
legislating temporarily in the premises. The law does not compel you
to support the officers and passengers of vessels sunk at sea by
pirates, but humanity and the honor of our country does. You will,
therefore, in all such cases, continue to do as your own good sense
and kind feelings prompt, and consider this your authority for so
doing until otherwise instructed from Washington.
Believe me, my dear sir, with great respect, your obedient
servant,
————, United States Consul, ————.
No. 3.
[Translation.]
Mr. Grebert to Mr. Webb
Rio de Janeiro,
May 21, 1863.
Mr. Minister: With pleasure I am ready to
give to your excellency knowledge of what I have observed of the
secessionist privateers on my recent voyage from Bordeaux to this
port on board the French packet Guienne, agreeably to the request
with which your excellency has honored me.
In Europe I was in an uncertainty as to where the privateer Alabama
and the other privateers were. Until we arrived at St. Vincent I
learned nothing more of the Alabama or of the other privateers. On
our entering St. Vincent, at 7 o’clock in the morning on the 5th day
of this month, we found anchored in that port the North American
vessel-of-war Mohican, and I there gathered information that, in the
neighboring waters, another vessel-of-war was cruising, supposed to
be the Vanderbilt. We were informed at St. Vincent that, a few days
before our arrival, a steamer had appeared in sight of the port, but
had immediately disappeared. It is supposed that this steamer must
have been a secessionist privateer.
On the 12th day of this month, at 6 o’clock in the morning, we
arrived at Pernambuco, and, to our general surprise, found quietly
anchored in that port, inside the reef, the privateer Florida; and
immediately on the port visit of the officer of customs and other
visitors, we learned from the authorities that the privateers
Florida and Alabama were committing, in the [Page 1273] waters of Brazil, acts of landing the captive
crews of numerous American merchant vessels. I learned, further,
that the Alabama had been in the gulf of Fernando Noronha, where she
had landed a large number of the captive crews of destroyed vessels.
I was told by inhabitants of Pernambuco that the governor of the
gulf of Fernando Noronha had received Captain Semmes, the commander
of the privateer Alabama, and his crew, with much sympathy; that he
even offered him a salute, and a ride on horseback. In consequence
of this the president of Pernambuco had dismissed this governor; but
when we arrived at Pernambuco he was already restored to his place,
my informants not being able to explain the reason. The Florida
arrived in the port of Pernambuco in the morning of the 9th of this
month, and at 5 o’clock of the afternoon of the 12th she sailed,
together with us, the Guienne accompanying us until dark, when she
took her course to the east. I was told, by several persons in
Pernambuco, that this privateer only sailed from the port in order
not to disobey the commands of the president, who had permitted only four days’ stay in the port for making
repairs to her engine, and for supplying herself with coal and
provisions. It was said, moreover, that she would return after a day
or two, and that this was probable, because she had purchased
various articles that she had not received when she sailed; among
others 800 yards of cloth, for clothing for the crew. To me, and
many of my fellow-passengers, the maintenance of strict neutrality
was inexplicable, in view of what was going on in the gulf of
Fernando Noronha and at Pernambuco, especially when we were informed
at Pernambuco that the crew of the Florida had sold the large
quantity of articles (prize goods) which they had plundered from the
destroyed vessels, at prices which were insignificant in comparison
with their real value.
On the 14th, at 4 o’clock in the morning, we entered the port of
Bahia, where we were surprised at the state of the Alabama and
Georgia, which were anchored “side by side” in that port, these
privateers having been there for two days. On the same day (the
14th) Commander Semmes had opened his vessel to the curiosity of the
public; two small steamers were all day (of the 14th) from morning
till night engaged in carrying visitors from the shore on board that
cruel and atrocious pirate, and back again. At the least, there
were, on that day, more than two thousand persons on board the
Alabama. I went on board the Alabama at noon, and more than two
hundred visitors were present at the same time. I remained on board
more than an hour, examining the vessel, her equipments, and crew,
as much as circumstances would permit. Captain Semmes was not on
board, because he had an invitation to an entertainment given to him
by the Railroad Company, to which he had gone. I had a conversation
with an officer, Marfit, [Maffit,] the son of the commander of the
Florida. He told me that, in nine months’ cruising, they had
captured, in all, 49 merchant vessels, besides destroying the
Hatteras. (The Florida had, up to the 12th of this month, captured
ten vessels, and the Georgia two.) A German seaman told me that he
and the other seamen had each, in pay and allowances in the concern,
£1,800, which he expected to be paid at the conclusion of the war.
An officer of the Georgia told me that the Georgia had been seen at
St. Vincent, but went higher up when she discovered the Mohican in
the port of St. Vincent; he told me, moreover, that in her cruise
from Greenock (in England) to Bahia, she had captured and destroyed
two American vessels, whose crews she landed at Bahia.
We resumed our voyage, at 5 o’clock in the afternoon of the 14th, for
this port, leaving the two pirates at their anchorage, where we
found them in the morning.
The foregoing is what I have seen and observed, together with
information which I was able to obtain from interested and
disinterested persons; [Page 1274]
and, with much pleasure, I communicate it to your excellency, in
compliance with your request, and in the hope of doing some good for
the cause of humanity, which is so cruelly offended by these wicked
pirates.
I am, with high esteem and consideration, your excellency’s
friend,
Mr. Webb, Minister,
&c., Brazil.
No. 4.
[Translation.]
The Marquis d’Abrantes to
Mr. Webb
(Central Division.)
No.—.
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Rio de
Janeiro,
May 23, 1863.
I hasten to acknowledge the reception of the note which, under date
of the 21st instant, Mr. James Watson Webb, envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary of the United States at this court, has
done me the honor to address to me, with a view of calling my
attention to a serious violation of neutrality which has been
perpetrated, and is now being perpetrated, by two representatives of
the imperial government in the ports of Pernambuco and Bahia.
Mr. Webb, in referring to the proceedings of the presidents of said
provinces towards the steamers of the Confederate States which come
into their ports, accuses said presidents, and complains of their
having afforded hospitality to those steamers, and of having
permitted them to make repairs, to receive provisions, and to land
merchandise of vessels which they had captured.
Mr. Webb bases his complaints on a series of acts, which he
enumerates, and which he characterizes as violative of the
neutrality which the government of his Majesty the Emperor imposes
on itself, in the deplorable contest of the American Union.
The affair in question is undoubtedly grave and important, and the
imperial government gives to the authorized language of Mr. Webb all
the consideration which is due to it.
But for this very reason—and Mr. Webb will certainly acknowledge
it—the imperial cabinet is under the unavoidable necessity of
proceeding in such a delicate matter with the greatest discretion
and prudence, in order to observe religiously the position which it
has assumed since the manifestation of the first events which tended
to the result of a division of the United States.
The position to which I allude Mr. Webb perfectly understands, as he
also understands the principles on which it rests, since they were
laid down in a circular, which was issued by the imperial government
to its delegates in the provinces, under date of the 1st of August,
1861.
Conforming to the rules generally admitted among civilized nations,
the imperial government in that circular prescribes the practical
mode of rendering effective the neutrality which it imposes on
itself.
Without at present confirming or denying the acts as set forth by Mr.
Webb, and without entering into an appreciation of the observations
with which he accompanies the narration of them, what I can at once
most positively declare to him is, that the government of his
Majesty the Emperor is firmly resolved to maintain, and to cause to
be respected, the neutrality, in the terms in which it has declared
it assumed it, and what is important to declare, that it is not
disposed to allow this neutrality to be violated in any [Page 1275] way, by those interested
in the contest, and still less by the delegates of the government
itself.
Of the sincerity of this declaration Mr. Webb has an indisputable
proof, in my note of the 7th instant, relative to the steamer
Alabama, of the Confederate States, as in it I voluntarily hastened
to bring to the knowledge of Mr. Webb not only the official
communications which the imperial government has received in regard
to the acts committed at Pernambuco by that steamer, but also the
resolution adopted by the government to approve entirely of the
proceedings on that occasion of the president referred to, and to
resort to the necessary measures to repress the abuses of the
captain of the Alabama, and cause the neutrality of the empire to be
religiously observed.
Therefore, Mr. Webb, certain as he must be of the intentions of the
imperial government, and of all the respect which this government
pays to his word, will assuredly not be surprised that, before
coming to a final decision on the important acts which form the
subject of the note with which I am now occupied, the imperial
government should hear what their delegates in the provinces have to
relate, and should strive scrupulously to verify their
exactness.
By the French packet which leaves this port on the 25th instant, the
imperial government sends the most positive and conclusive orders to
the presidents of Bahia and Pernambuco, that, without loss of time,
they will circumstantially report in regard to each of the acts
alleged in the note of Mr. Webb, of which he gives to them full
information.
And, as soon as the reports referred to shall arrive, Mr. Webb may
rely that the imperial government will not hesitate to put forth its
hand to the means necessary to render effective the neutrality which
it imposes on itself, provided it has been violated, and to leave
beyond all doubt the fairness of its proceeding.
Flattering myself that this brief answer will tranquilize Mr. Webb, I
profit by the occasion to renew to him the assurances of my high
consideration.
Mr. James Watson Webb, &c., &c., &c.
