The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-09-24
From the Washington Union.
Mr.. WISE.

we publish with great pleasure the following
article from the L" Baltimore American. We
know that Mr.. Wise is honestly and heartily en-.
gagged IN arrestng the Infamous slave trade We
are satisfied that he has Ia oppose a host of pre-
JUDGES and nf selfish interests which are attempt
ing To put him down. All we ask of him is. To
act up To his duty in every case which comes be-
fore hIm-i0 yield nothing tn the vile interests
which would assail him. If he does his duty in
the true sPrlt-free, f. arless, hut unimpassiuned
he need fear nothing from his enlightened coun
try We are sure that, in the expressions which
we now employ. Mr.. Wise will recognise the
spirit of a friend. He will not, cannot mistake
US. They expresses the very sentiments that we
would utter if we were writing to him in must
unbounded freednm of confidential corresunI
drHce His duty, his whole duty, and nothing
but his duty. five may venture to parody the
words of Hamlet to the players: =. Use all gen
tly," (yei firmly and boldly.) He is engaged in
an honorable and Noble cause. Let him exert his
remarkable energies in its support. and clear
conscience and an g honest fame" will be his best
reward.
From the Baltimore American.
A mercantile friend has handed TO us for pnbIi
cation the annexed letter. received from an Ame
rIcan merchant residing in the Brazilian capital:
MR.. WISE-AFRICA AND BRAZIL
Mo DE JANEIRo, July |, IS45.
] observe the United States papers are filed
with statements of, and remarks upon. the nrn.
ceedings of Mr.. Wise this place, in relation IN
vessels aud persons engaged in the trade To the
coast oi Africa. Must OF the details Given ara
erroneous, proceeding. evidently, from persons
who knew only what was presented To the eve
being entirely Ignorant of the causes and cbarac
ter "f the several proceedings
On the arrival Of Mr.. Wise at this coprt no
received information that many American vessels
were engaged IN unlawful voyages to the coast
OF Africa, aiding and abpiiinp the slave trad. y
And although some Of the statements made TO
him were false. yet they were given with such
detail ut circumstance, and name of vessels and
persons. and rendered credible by the we'll
established crimlnaliy nf one or more Americans
on that coast, that hp felt himself cunnauded
not only by dniy to his government and c,untrv
hnt ny The common laws Of humanity, Ia inyesii
gate the charges, and if true, TO exert eyerv
means IN his power to enforce the laws of his
country and prevent the slightest participation,
on the part ni Americans in 80 ba fbarnus a ,,,ft
Now, "hat has he done 2 He advised tho ,,,a.,
Of the captain and mate Of the brio Montev,don
II is notorious fact. among other cbaro.s tho,
The captain permitted slave deck Ia be fitted nm
board this vessel while uBder American cnIore !,
port OF Brazil, previous u sailing fur the cnas,
of Africa, where she was delivered nm ,o The
Portuguese purchaser Now, will anv ons s,v
that Mr.. Wise. with knowledge IF this fac,
would not have, been criminalIy neglectfnl Of his
duty, if he had not advised that the CAPTAIN and
mate Of the vessel should he arrested and cen,
home for trisl7 think not
Then the case Of he brig Purpose. She ar
rived from the coast Of Africa and Commodore
Turner, and. through hun, the United States
CONSUL were informed that she actually had slaves
on hoard
The consul went of, and obtaining the assent
OF the guerda mar (the chief custom house off
cer,) that guard, sent by Commodore Turner
should remain on board the POrp0ise until M,
Wise could communicate with the Minister oC
Foreign Affairs, TO obtain the assent or dissent or
this government tn her being held and sent to the
United States for trial.
The Minister Of Foreign Affairs had confirmed
to Mr. Wise the privilege Of hoding the Pmpo.e
until the matter could be naturely dpiberaled nm.
on, and this government decide upOn the conrse Ia
be pursued. And in this position 0f the sff,i,
while the representatives Of the United States
were acting under the authority of The Minis,er ri
Foreign Affairs, the Minister Of Justice. witbon,
concert or consultation with the Minister Of For,
elgn Affairs, sent of an armed force TO expsl Com,
rn0dOre Turner's guard, and take possession of Ia.
P0rpoIse-beIng fool enough to believe she wonld
be- immediately given mp. and expecting TO I'M
moTtsllzs himself by bIOOdless achievement in
ha Il