Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-06-06
(From the Boston Chronicle,
LETTER FROM RIO JANEIRO.

A few weeks ago, we published very inter-
esting extract Of letter from an American cit
izen of responsibility at Rio, concerning Mr..
Wise's difficulty with the Brazilian government.
We are under obligations to friend for obtain
ing for us the permission to copy part of an
other letter from the same gentleman. 1t will
be read with horror, and we hope not without
me practical results 1t is to be hoped that we
may have other letters from the same intelligent
and responsible source
RIO De JANErRo, Feb. Is, lS45.
Dear Sam: wrote you long letter not quite
a week since, (per Napoleon via Philadelphia
giving you a little idea of the part and profit A
merican vessels have in the Brazilian slave trade.
One of the scenes on board one Of these vessels,
after they had hauled down the American flag,
and transferred her to the Brazilian or no flag at
all, is so horrible tina: must mention it, as peo-
pie in the United States know little about catch
ing slaves; but must begin my story.
The brig Kentucky was sold here, delivera-
BILE on the coast of Africa, and sailed from here
with American flag, papers, and crew; when
she arrived there and was discharged, she was
delivered over to a Brazilian captain and crew.
who went from here in her as pasSengers,) her
American colors hauled down, and the American
captain left with his papers and crew, and went
on board the brig Porpoise,' 1.-THE brig that has
made the trouble here,) which was at that time
under charter to a notorious slavedealer, (Mano-
Ell Pinto da Fonseca,) and was kept there to
| bring American crews back, when they have de-
livered their vessels, to Rio but one of the crew
(of the Kentucky having some difficulty with
the captain of the Porpoise, was turned ashore
on the coast, and knowing it was death for him
to stop there, on account of the fever, and hav-
ing no other way to get back here, he went on
board the Kentucky, and came back and was
landed at Cape Frio, days sail from here, and
finally found his way up here; but knowing that
after having been in a SLAYER, he was liable to
punishment, he came to - and told him to
inquire of Mr.. Gordon if he would receive him
as States evidence, and Mr. G. said yes; and on
the examination he made oath to the following
almost incredible facts;
"The first night after we left the east coast Of
Africa, with cargo of about $50 negroes, part
of the men got loose from their manacles, and
attempted to rise on the crew, (Brazan,) but
they, being armed with guns and cutasses, soon
drove them below again, and for some time after
they submitted and cried for quarter, continued
to fire upon them and good many were shot
dead A few days after, sham trial was had
and number were condemned to be executed
Accordingly some were hosted up to the fore
yard, chained two together, and then shot dead
And when two were dragged out Of the hold ant
only one was to die, instead of slipping the irons
off, they chopped of the poor .feIto'os foot, and
so slipped the leg out, and then run him up
the yard arm and shot him! In this manner
forty-si1 men and one woman were murdered
by these wretches in human form! And whel
Manoel Pinto da Fonseca says the slave trade
could not be carried on but for the assistance 0
the American flag, it is time that something wa
done by our government to enforce the laws OF
this subject.
The Porpoise is not yet delivered to the con
modore, and it is impossible to say how the mat
J ter will end All these things will no doubt b.
published in the papers at home, and sncerel
} hope that the people will so cry out against it
that government shall be compelled to act.