The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-30
Rio JancirO.
Correspondence of the HERALD

Mo JANEiho, sept, =, AofA.
In former number, 1 incidentally alluded to the
SEIZURE Of an American vessel at Rio de Janeiro,
by the Government, and tbs institution Of suit by
the captain for her recovery. have procured some
OF the details of the transaction, and present them
for the information of those who may feel an inter-
est upon such subject.
The barque Mary, Captain Clarke, was chartered
in London for Monte Video, and proceeded to that
port with valuable cargo, consisting principally of
powder The cargo could not be disposed of at
Monte Video, and was subsequently sold at Beunos
Ayres, but being contraband, the captain was CON-
PEELED to give bond in the of $40, 900, that it
should not be discharged in the Argentine Republic
brig was chartered to meet the Mary at sea and
receive the cargo The cargo was transferred upon
the coast of Brazil at which time British brig of
present, and the officers were on board the
balque, and remained until the transfer was made,
and the vessel receiving the cargo sailed to the
southard They have given certificate of the fact,
certified before the British Consul.
The Mary arrived at Rio, and the captain and his
officers made the necessary dispositions before the
American Consul, and procured his certificate that
the cargo discharged on the coast of Brazil.
as to annul the bond given at Monte Video. The
American Consul proceeded Immediately to the IN
spector oil the customs, and agreed with him, upon
condition OF his paying the seamen's wages and
other DIS OIL the veSSe 10 lay Sucn Information before
him as would secure the confiscaton of the barque
upon the ground Of smuggling upon the coast. Up
his representation, the vessel was seized and the
captain imprisoned. Through the influence OF
Capt Clarke's friends, who are the most influential
in Rio, he released and representations made of
the unjustifable nature OF the seizure | must do
Mr. Hunter, our Minister here, the Justice to say,
that he has taken deep interest in the affair." and
that neither him nor the American merchants here
could believe the part which the American Consul
has taken in the business until the proofs were con-
elusive, and he admitted the fact himself. When
informed that one-half the proceeds of the confs.
cation goes to the lniormer, the motives of the Amer
lean Consul will at once be perceived
II any is able to exricate his vessel from such
difficulty, Captain Clarke is that man. He unites
unusual intelligence with much perseverance,, and
supported he is by great personal influence on the
part OF many friends, may succeed in defeating the
object of the Consul. How plea of smuggling can
be sustained when it is proved that the transfer was
made at sea, and the vessel receiving the cargo i'm
mediatey proceeded to other port it is diff.
cult to conceive. Justice and law are not always
synonymous, and interest may in this case operate
too strongly for the former to prevail Most of the
American merchants have taken an interest in the
proceedings and | believe all of them sustain the
captain with The exception OF one, who is the men,
tor of the Consul and TO whom have alluded in a
previous letter. However, he has no influence any
where except with the Consul and is so well KIN own
that think his opposition will have favorable eff.
feet upon the claim of the captain. The case is not
yet decided. and looked upon with great interes
| as involving an important principle.
| CINcINNATus