Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-05-15
MIR Hunters Letter.
From tic Proridence Journal.

II From tic Providence Journal.
Some days ago we copied from the
New York Commercial Advertiser al
article upon the difficulties between our
government and that Of Brazil, in the
course Of which charges were made a
gainst Mr. Hunter, our late Minister at
Brazil, Of having connived at the sale OF
American vessels for slavers. We sent
to Mr.. Hunter copy OF the paper and
| directed his attention TO the charge.
\ We have received the following reply
in which il will be seen that MIR. Hun
ter most explicitly denies the accusation.
To H. B. Anihony, Esq,
/ Editor oClhs Prov. Jour.
WASHINGTON, Cd May, l845.
1 SIR regret that an incident re-
tarded the earliest reception Of your let
ter Of the 24ih ult. and its accompanying
Providence Daily Journal. That paper
contains the reprint of an article Of The
New York Commercial Advertiser,
which refers to me rs the late Minister
or the United States at Rio de Janeiro,
as opposing measures adopted by the
then American Consul to stop the sale
Of American vessels to slave traders to
he delivered in Africa, there to change
the flag and bring slaves to Brazil.
\ The article further states that some
CORES espondence on this subject took place
between Mr. Slacum Qhe Consu) and
Mr.. Hunter, and that both wrote to our
government, by whom Mr.. Slacum was
supported, but so feebV that he could
only make his intention evident.
After reciling several cases Of other
slave vessels the article Of the New
York Journal goes on to state that MIR.
/ Slacum continued 10 send Ia the United
States the Information he obtained and
to do what he could against the trade,
Mr.. Hunter appeared to do what he
could to thwart Mr.. SlacunI, until he
was removed. Now all these accusa-
tons, assertions and insinuatiors, If found
ed on fact, can be easily proved by a
reference to that ample, detailed and
most author italive OF all evidence, the
documents aud records Of tho Depart
lnent of State of the United States. All
official correspondence between the
Consul and Minister, must there appear.
Now, | assure you, Sir, and the good
citizens Of the United States, that there
is not syllable on the records Of that
Department aiiording the least sugges-
ton or su,mise Of any of the assertions
of the core spondent Of the New York
Journal
This being so, was advised upon the
communication Of your letter and its ac-
companment TO those here who are
bound 10 know all that relates TO such
subjects, in disregard of your friendly
invitation, not To move in this matter, TO
disdain II reply TO baseless and malicious
acc usaiions, and to let the calumny per-
sK by i+s iniamy and its impotence. But
feel an instructive and invinc,ble repug-
nance to be subjected for a moment TO
an imputalion so odious as that implied
by the New York publication. 1t would
Especially distress me if any citizen OF
Rhode Island, the State in which was
born, and Of which ! remain citizen,
should be led 10 suppose that in the full
Iight of the moral progress and phlan-
lhropy OF this century, my understanding
is Of that benighted and reirograde order,
and my heart so airociously cruel as TO
he ndiTeren, to the denominations Of the
>lave trade. In fear, therefore, that my
silence might be misintcrpreted by those
whose good opinion ! most value, une-
qnivocally declare, Sir, to you, that MIR.
Slacum has never held any official or
other spondence with me in regard
tn The slave trade, nor had with me any
official conference upon that subject.
Il ! further declare that there has no,
been at any time any correspondence
between the Government of the United
States and myself on the subject OF the
slave trade in any connection with, or
IN opposition or reference to MIR. Sla-
GUMS opinions or proceedings.
| declare that l have never thwarted
or intcrlered with Mr.. Slacum in any
way in the matter Of the slave trade, that
his correspondence with the Government
N this subject, without any improperly
on his part or mine, was not disclosed to
inc and was entirely unknown by me.
| deny that in any instance has Mr..
Slacum received any support, however
strong or feeble, from the Government o!
The United States, that implied the most
nll, -tnl
course or conduct
/ Fortunately for me, that conduct hns
been approved by all the diffcrcn! ad-
\ minislraiions of the last ten or eleven
wears, but most by The last. Mr.. Tyler
chose to decorate, before he immplated
Il his victim.
/ With great respect, your obcdient
H faithful servant,
\ WILLIAM HUNTER