[Untitled], the 22d July, 1866

[Untitled]

The Nipsic man-of-war anchored in our port yesterday, sent by the government of the United States to give a complete satisfaction to us for the offence against the dignity of the empire, committed by the capture of the Florida by the steamer Wachusett.

Full of inexpressible joy we announce to the public of this city the magnificent scene of to-morrow; at 12 m. the above-mentioned steamer will hoist to her mainmast-head the Brazilian standard, and will salute it with twenty-one guns.

It is thus that a powerful nation assumes the eminent position which its civilization has attained for it. It is thus that a great and spirited people give, in the face of the civilized world, a public and solemn proof of the sincerity of its professions of the sacred principles of justice. We cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of proclaiming to the public of this capital the despatch which, upon that subject, was addressed to his excellency the vice-president by the illustrious commander of the Nipsic:

United States Steamer Nipsic, Harbor of Bahia, July 21, 1866.

Sir: The undersigned, commanding the steamer Nipsic, has the honor to inform your excellency of his arrival in this port, and to make known to your excellency that the principal object of the visit of the undersigned at this time is to carry out the instructions of the government of the United States to fire a salute of twenty-one (21) guns to me flag of Brazil, and thus to make the “amende honorable” for an offence committed by a United States officer, which was at once disavowed by the government of the United States.

Ever prompt to do justice, the government of the undersigned, so long ago as October 28, 1865, issued the above instructions, but which, from some irregularity, were sent to Valparaiso, and were only received by the commander-in-chief of the United States squadron on this station on the arrival of the late mail.

Therefore, if it be agreeable to your excellency, the undersigned will hoist the Brazilian flag at the foremast-head of this vessel, and fire a salute of twenty-one guns, at noon to-morrow, the 23d instant.

The undersigned, in executing this duty, begs leave to express to your excellency the undersigned’s sincere hope, that with the dying echoes of the last gun will also expire any unkind feelings that may exist in Brazil from the cause which has given rise to this ceremonial.

The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to offer to your excellency the assurances of the high consideration with which the undersigned has the honor to be your excellency’s most obedient servant,