The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-13
MR.. WISE.

-,..lssb interests, which are attempting TO put him
10 All we ask of him is, to act up to his
I.,,, in every case which comes before him
. yield nothing to the vile interests which would as
III him, II he does his duty in the true spirit
e.. fearless, but unmpassioned-he need fear moth
=, Com his enlightened country. We are sure that,
!. hs sxnressions which we now employ, Mr.. Wise
"a, ,scognise the spirit of friend. He will not, can
-, mistake u.s. They express the very sentiments
,A,, we would utter if we were writing to him in
~. mos, unbounded freedom Of confidential cor
coincidence. lis duty, his whole duty, and moth
-, Int his duty. If we may venture to parody
,hs words of Hamlet to the players: "Use all gem
Nv wet firmly and boldly) He is engaged in an
,.oorable and noble cause. Let him exert his re-
u.,koble energies in its support and clear con-
.,soce and an "honest fame" will be his best re-
ward.
From the Baltimore American
A mercantile friend has handed to us for publica-
ian the annexed letter. received from an American
merchant residing in the Brazilian capital;
MIR. wIsE-AFRICA AND BRAZIL.
Rio DE JANEIRo, July l, l645.
observe the United States papers are filled with
statements Of, and remarks upon, the proceedings of
Nj Wise at this place, in relation to vessels and
nsrsons engaged in the trade to the coast of Africa
Mos, Of the details given erroneous, proceeding
ssV,dendy from persons who knew only what was
!. presented TO the eye; being entirely ignorant Of
be causes and character of the several proceed
ngs
On the arrival of Mr. Wise at this court, he re-
ceiyed information that many American vessels were
I'll tha, ga g..
uaIdinp and abetting the save-trade." And al
though some OF the statements made to him were
false vet they were given with such detail Of cir
cums,apce and names of vessels and persons, and
rendered so credible by the well-established crmi-
naity of one or more Americans on that coast that
he felt himself commanded, not only by duty to his
government and country, but by the common laws
Of humanity to investigate the charges, and, If true,
10 exert every means in his power 10 enforce the
laws of his country, and prevent the slightest part-
cipaen on the part of Americans, in SO barbarous
traffic. Now, what has he donei He advised the
arrest of the captain and mate of the brig Monte
yideo II is notorious fact, among other charges,
that the captain permitted slave.deck to be fitted
board this vessel while under American coors, in
port of Brazil previous TO sailing for the coast Of
Africa where she was delivered up to the Portu-
guese purchaser. Now, will any one say that Mr..
Wise, with knowledge Of this fact, would not
have been criminally negectful of his duty, if he
had not advised that the captain and mate of this
vessel should be arrested and sent home for trial,
birk not
Then the case of the brig Porpoise. She arrived
from the coast Of Africa and Commodore Turner,
and, through him., the United States consul, were
informed that she actually had slaves on board
The consul went off, and obtained the assent of
the gerda mar (hc chief cus,om-house officer) that
a guard, sent by Commodore Turner, should re-
main on board the Porpoise until Mr.. Wise could
communicate with the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
to obtain the assent or dissent of this government
to her being held and sent to the United States for
trial.
Mr., Wise the privilege of holding the Porpoise I'M
Ill the matter could be maturely deliberaed upon,
and this government decide upon the course to be
pursued. And in this position Of the affair, while
the representatives Of the United States were acting
under the authority of the Minister Of Foreign AZ
fairs, the Minister Of Justice without concert or
consultation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
sent of an armed force TO expel Commodore Tur-
ncr's guard, and take possession of the Porpoise--
being fool enough TO believe she would be immed-
alely given up, and expecting to mmoralize him
self by bloodless achievement in arms. But he
WIS soon aroused from his martial reverie to the
truth of the American character. Mr. Wise had
claimed no jurisdiction in the case. The vessel was
held by the courteous permission of that branch of
foreign minister TO communicate; and Mr.. Wise
was not disposed iamely to submit to the rude and
threatening violence of another branch of the gov
eminent.
The Minister Of Foreign Affairs was much alarm
ed. The Minister Of Justice talked blood and havoc,
and demanded the surrender of The Porpoise Mr..
Wise told him he could do nothing while he held
an upllfted arm He must withdraw his force, and
then he was prepared to negotiate.
he forces were recalled and then hv reo,,est nj
me Minister of Foreign Affairs, (who had come to
inc conclusion that the matter must be referred TO
The tribunals of Brazil,) the American guard was
withdrawn, and the vessel and crew delivered up to
the authorities Of the country from whose jursdic.
ton there never had been any intention to take
,hen-save with the consent of the government
The vessel was afterwards delivered TO the United
states consul, and the captain and crew set al
large.
by some MIR. Wise is accused of violating the
Jaws OF nations, and invading the Jurisdiction OF
Brazil IN causing the arrest Of the Porpoise. BY
others he is censured for not dsregarding the uris
dcIon OF Brazil, and continuing to hold her. Thus
unless he could do, and leave undone, the samt
,hlng at the same time, il appears impossible tina
he should please all his countrymen.
hWll be seen, from the above. stated facts tina
'he porpoise was arrested with the consent Of this
government, and that she was given up TO the au
,norilies OF the country as soon as the Minister
rorelsn Affairs made the request. Hence there
was no violation Of Brazilian jurisdiction; and it il
Melearly shown that the rude show of force by lh'
Minister M of Justice was totally disregarded. Mr.
mise's relations were entirely with the Minister o
rore'gn Afairs, and with him only would he nego
ua'e All acquainted with Mr.. Wise know wei
mat to yield TO threats is no part Of his nature.
his course in relation to the African trade is ad
mlIed by his countrymen in Rio to be, in the gen
raj right; and If In hunting out the guilty, imputa
uon has fallen upon the innocent n is only what oc
us IN The application. Of the laws in all countries
uPon al matters. It's fully in the power Of the in
noeen. TO prove their innocence, and for the vltupe
''I IONS OF the guilty he should not care.
lhs searching Investigations have developed fact
occurring IN the African trade of which the American
me'chanis OF this place were entirely ignorant; ant
,S acuon has done more for the suppression Of tn,
Iasveraae than all the British nen-ofwar upon ih,
L Ican coast At the same time, il should not, ant
as no' oeen Intended to prejudice the legal trader
,or we all know that voyages can be made TO tn,
eoas OF Africa, without violating any law or polio,
oi the United States; and Mr.. Wise unhesitatingl,
ys mat voyages may be made there as strictly lega
any other country, and that he wishes 10 SC,
sueh voyages encouraged.
MI l. L A -