Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-09-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
Mr.. WISE.

We publish with great pleasure the following
article from the Baltimore American" We
know that MIR. Wise is honestly and hearth, en-
2aped in arresling The infamous slave-irade. We
are satisfied that he has 10 oppose host OF pre-
iudces and o. selfish interests, which are aiiemp =
ing 10 rut aim down. Al We ask OF him IS, TO
&C, up 10 his duly in every case which comes
before him-to yield moth .ng 10 The vile interests
which would assail him. II he does his duty in
the true spiril-iree, fearless, bul unimpasslonec;
he need lear nothing from his enlightened coun-
nv We are sure that, in the expressions which
we now employ, Mr.. Wise will recognise me
sniri, OF TREND. He will mol, cannot mistake
rs. They express The very sentiments lhat we
would u,lcr il We were writing 10 him IN most
unh,nnded free .om OF confidential corresron-
deuce. HIS duiy, his whole duy and nothing
bu, mis- duty. live may venture 10 parody The
,vords OF Hamlet 10 the piayeis: Use all gen.
,ly"(yet firmly and boldy( He IS engaged in
AZ, honorable ana noble cause. lie, him exert
his remarkable energies in It's support, and
clear conscience and AN "honesl !ame" will be his
best reward.-l Un'on.
From the Baltimore American
A mercantile friend has handed "a y, Tor publ
carton me annexed letter, received from an Anne
rcan merchant residing in the Brazilian ca 2itai:
Mr.. WISE-AFRlCA AND BRAZIL.
Rio De JANEiRo, July |. loi5
Iohserve the United States papsrs are filled with
statements Of and remarks upon, the proceedings
AZ Mr. Wise II this place, in reiat:an 10 vessels
~,A ,ersons engaged in The trade IL The coast Of
.f,ica. Mes. II The details given are erroneous,
,,e,... ling vi,";,',y rom persons 'rAo knew on
/, THAT was presented e the cy.; being entirely
ienorsn, ottha causes and character OF the sevc-
ia. proceedings.
or n: arrival e Nj. Wise a this court, he
re, lived INFORMATION thai many American YES
sci, we're engaged n unlawful voyages 10 The
coas, cf Africa, aiding aud aoeilins The save
trade" And although soa.e Of the statements
made 10 him were .alss, ,ct they were given
with such detail Of Circumstance, aad names oil
vessels ard persons, and rendered 80 Credible by
The veil established tf..anav OF one OF mole
Americans on ha, coas, that he lett himself
commanded, mol o!ly By duty 10 his government
and county but by the common laws OF hG-
manly, 10 investigate the charges, and, u true,
10 exert every means in his power 70 cnioice The
Jaw. VI bis county, and prevent ihs slightest par
ticlpa,iun on the part OF 4 aiericans, IN 50 bar
baro - a traffic Now, what has nc cGne' he
advised the arrest OF the captain and mate OF The
brig Mon,ev deo. !. is notorious tact, among
other charges, that The captain permitted slave
deck 10 be fitied on board this vessel willie under
American culors in por, Of Brazil, previous 10
sailing for The coast Of Africa, where she was de-
l,vered 10 10 The Portuguese purchaser. Nov,
Will any one saw ,hat Mr. Wise, with a know
ledge Z, this tact, would no, hare been crimina.y
p.y.sc.!ul Of his Ing, j! he had 80; advised that
the CAPTAIN and mate OF this vessel should be ar
rested a md sent hon- FOR lrja2 think not.
rnen Inc case Of the brig Porpoise. She ar
rived IRON he coast OF Africa; and Commodore
N
were informed ,ha! she actually had slaves on
board.
me consul vent of. and Obtaining ne assent
Of the gusfda ma Ute ca;e: cusei, house o'G
cefl Id. guard, sent by Commodore iu;.:eI
sn,u,d remain on board Inc Porpose until MIR.
Wise Could communicate with The Al!%'S'er OF
Foreign Affairs, 10 obtain Inc assent or dissent ci
This soyernm nj TO her being held and seat 10 tic
Uuted States Tor trial.
The Munster Of Foreign Affairs had confirm
"a % Mr.. Wise the privilege OF holding The Por
pose until the inaUer could be tnatureiy delibera-
lei upon, and his government decide upon the
course 10 be pursued. And in This position ot The
affair, while the representatives OF the United
States we're acting under the authority OF The Mi;
mister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister oil JUS
tee wrhunt concert Or consultation with the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs sent off an armed
force 10 expe .ommudoie Turner'S guard, and
take possession OF The Porpoise-tcing TOOL enough
10 believe she would be Immediately given up,
and expecting 10 mmortalizc himself by blood
lpss achievement ia arms. But he was soon
atuused f,om his martial reveTie 10 the truth OF
The American character. MIR. Wise had claimed
no Jurisdiction in the case. The vessel was held
by Inc courteous permission oil that branch oil ms
government, with which alone il belongs 10 a To-
reign minister 10 communicate and Mr.. Wise
was uof isposed lamaly TO submit 10 The ruce and
threatening violence Of another branch OF the
government.
The Minister OF Foreign Affairs was much
alarmed The Minister oi Justice talked blood
and havoc, and demanded the surrender OF the
Porpoise. MIR Wise told him he could do nothing
while he held, an uplit!ed arm. lie Must with
draw his force, and then he was prepared 10 ne
lia,e.
OF The Minister OF Foreign Affairs, (who had
come 10 the conclusion that the matter must be
referred 10 the tribunals OF Brazil } the American
guard was withdrawn, and The vessel and crew
delivered up 10 the authorities CT the country
from whose Jurisdiction there never had been any
intention 10 take them-sare with The consent Of
the Government. The vessel was afterwards &C.
liyered TO the United States Consul, and The cap
tain and crew set al large.
By some Mr. Wise is accused OF violating the
laws OF nations, anl invading Tie jurisdiction OF
Brazil, in causing the arrest OF the Porpuise. By
Others, he is censured Tor not Designating the
jurisdiction Of Brazil and continuing 10 hold her.
Thus, unless lie could do and leave undone The
same thing a, The same lime, II appears impossi-
bis tina, he should please all his coun'rymen.
Il will be seen from the above-saed facts, that
the Porpoise was arrested with the consent Of this
Government, and that she was given up 10 The
authorities OF the country soon as the Minister
Of Foreign Affairs made the request Hence
there WAS no violation OF Brazilian jurisdiction;
and il is as clearly shown, that the rude show OF
force BY the Minister OF Justice was totally dis
regarded MIR. Wses relations were entirely
with the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, and with
him only would he negotiate. All acquainted win
MIR. Wise know WELL that 10 yield 10 threats is
no part OF his nature.
His course in relation TO the African trade is
admitted by his counirymen, in Rio, 10 be- in the
general, risL,; and il in hunting out the guilty
Snru.a,ion has fallen upon The innocent il is on
y wha, occurs IN The application Of the laws in
FL, cJ.niries, upon Al, matters. !: Is fully IN the
power Of the innocent 10 prove :nel- innocence,
aid Tor the vituperations VI The guilty he should
no care.
HIS searching ;rves,gations have developed
fac.S occu.tt.5 in the African .rade, Of which
The Ane lean merchants OF This place were en-
iircly Ignorant; aud his acton has done more
Tor The suppression cf he sla"e-iraGe tlan all the
British men of war upon the African coast. AT
the same time, it should MOI, and has not teen
intended 70 prejudice be legal trader; Tor We all
know lha, voyages can be ma lie TO the coast OF
Africa, without violating any law or policy ofthe
United States; and MIR. Wise unhesitalincly says,
iha, voyages may be made there as strictly legal
as 10 any other country, and that he wishes TO see
such voyages encouraged
MIR Wise has been charged with being preci-
plate and riolen.-a creature OF impulse. Ii i.
true, he has hear, as well as head; bu, his en-
ersy Of character can only be offensive 10 those
whose improper purposes j, is his duty 10 ,hwart.
He locks upon every American as his brother,
and is prepared 10 60 ali lengths 10 serve country
and connirymen; and there is not an American
in Brazil who, ifinvolved in difficulty, would not
look 10 him with confidence IS his efficient advo-
Gale And i Is much 10 be hoped, Tor Inc credit