The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-09-24

revere to the truth of the American character
Mr.. Wise had clainied no jurisdiction in the case
The vessel WIS held by the c,,urtpuus permission
of that branch OF this government. with which a
one It belungs 10 "a foreign minister To com,nuni
cate; and Mt Wise was not dispnspd tamely To
submit To the rude and threatening violence Of an
uther branch "f the government
The Minister of Foreign Affairs was much a.
armed The Minister of Justice talked blood
aud havoc, and demanded the surrender of the
P"rpoise. Mr. Wise told him he could do Nothing
" lille he held an apfird arm. He must with
draw his force. and then he was prepared to nego-
tiair
The f"rces were recalled. and then, by request
Of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. (who had
come To the conclusion that the matter must hp
referred To the tribunals of Brazil. the American
guard was withdrawn, and the vessel and crew
delivered up Ia the authorities of the country from
whose jurisdiction there never had h-pn any infen
ti0n Ia take rhen-save with the consent of the
Government. The vessel was afterwards deliver
ed To the United States Consul, aud the captain
and crew set at large.
BY some, Mr.. Wise is accused of vinlating the
laws of nations. and invading the jurisdiction Of
Brazil in causing the arrest of the Porpoise. By
others. he is censured for not dsreya riding the u-
risdcion of Brazil. and continuing to kold her.
Thus, unless h. could do and leave undune the
same thing at the same time, il APPEARS impossible
tina, hr should please all his cnuntrymen.
II Will he seen from the above. stated facts that
the Porpoise was arrested with the consrnt uf this
Government, and that she given up Ia the
authorities of the country IA SION as the Minister
of Foreign Affairs made the request. Hence there
was n" violation at Brazilian jurisdiction; and il
ia rs clearly shown. that the rude shuw uf rce BY
the Minister at Justice was totally disregardrd
Mr.. Wise relations were entirely with the MIN
lister of Foreign Affairs. and with him only would
he negotiate. All acquainted with Mr. Wise
know we'll. that To yield to threats is no part of
his nature.
His course in relation To the African trade is ad
mittpd by his counlrymen, in Rio. tn b., in the
general, right and If in hunting out the guilty,
inputatiun has fallen upon the innocent. it is only
what occurs in the application of the laws in all
countries. upon all matters. IL is fully in the
pnwer ct the innocent To prove their innocence
and for the viuperations of the guilty he should
not care.
His searching Investigations have developed
facts occurring in the African trade of which the
| American merchants Of this place were entirely
| ignorant; and his acun has done more for the
suppression Of the slave trade than all the British
men of war upon the African coast At the same
time, II should mt. and has mt been intended t.
prejudice the legal trade; for we all know tha,
voyages can be made to The coast of Africa with.
out violating any law or policy of the United
States; and MIR. Wise unhestaingfy saws. that
voyages may be made there as strictly legal as ia
anylother country, and that he wishes to see such
VOYAGES encouraged
Mr.. Wise has heen charged with being precipi
7 tate and vinlent-a creature of impulse. II is
ttrue, he has a heart as we'll head bu, his en-.
ergy of character can only he offensive 10 thost
whose fmpr"per purposes il is his duty to thwa
/ 10 I.n,Ec ANA k,,b -..,Lz
is prepared To 90 all lengths To serve country and
ronntrymen; and there is not an American il
Brazil who. if involved in difficulty. would moi
look To him with confidence az his efficient advo
cate. And il is much TO he hoped. for the credit
Of our country, that party feeling at home may
MT lead TO his recall, and the substitution of some
tame creature. who will sleep upon his post. as in.
efficient as he NAV he intensive
AN AMERICAN MERCHANT.