Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-04-26

sayerade, and who fits clears such vessel knowingly or
win CONVICTION OF such destination is cupr-a pirate in
the forum OF consciencesa pceps crinis in the foul
act OF degrading and endangeng the flag and Of staining the
honor OF his country and is himself unworthy of any thing
but the severes penalties Of laws know-or have
from the very best full information of the character Of
the persons and place OF Bahia, in respect the
what sort OF difficulties Mr. Tyler may have deal with in
doing his duty this behalf there But very reasons Of
these difficulties Ito wit that almost every man Of capital in
and about Bahia is engaged directly indirectly in this tra
c, and that its operations scarcely hid from the light Of
day and that daes there openly to oppose or expose
its enorme the very why he should have every
opportunity Of finding and knowing the facts and persons
of every case which may there. The abuse Of the
United States flag in this traffic exposes daily insult on
the high seas and the Of Africa from the claim of
English cruisers visit and the peace
Of the United States is constantly endangered thereby In
addition its unawfuness and nhumaniy, then, the free
dom of navigation and the peace of country require
that United States officers should all their vigilance
prevent and punish every attempt to abuse flag to the pu
poses of the averade and thus the only petext
which Power have to insult and violate the sancy
Of its protection which the United States and win insist
upon at all hazards every ship and every which
Sails under its folds"
Then follows despatch from Mr.. WISE to Mr..
CALHOUN, dated 18th December, 1874, in which he
speaks follows of the general facts arrived at by
the examination in particular case, where he has
caused seizure to be made:
'tThe accompanying papers-No. /, an unofficial letter
addressed by me to Mr. Hamilton, at his request No. O.
letter from the American firm of MAXWELL Wright s. Co., in
Rio de Janeiro, to and No. 3, my reply the
will show the nature connexions and of the African
slave trade is and has for time been unbushngy
carried by citizens under flag 1t has grown SO
bold and bad longer mask those who
reside here and who all acquainted with the trade be-
tween Brazil and Africa. Upon information showing more
than probable grounds hesitaed advise Consul
Mr. Gordon, the Of the MASTER mates crew
of the brig Montevdeo and hold them custody board
Of the Boston soopowar until he could examine into the
case The examination has proceeded great length and
have given to my personal attention and attendance and
must say, has developed combination Of persons and Of
means to carry this Infamous traffic. to the disgrace
human natu and the dshonor of flag and of all three
natons-England, Brazil, and the United States"
| Mr.. WISE then speaks with praise of the con-
duct of our present Consul there, Mr. GEO. VIM.
GORDON who, he says, has acted zealousy and
efficiently with him-so that he desires that, if Mr.
g. incurs any blame for these arrests, &c.. he (Mr
wv J may share il with him He .selA-
. Any dsapprobation Of Mr. Gordons would now
be regarded here, the removal of Mr. Slacum from
Office nothing less than sanction of the pursued
by persons in Brazil to aid and abe the slave trade AT all
hazards shall continue in the steps have taken until per-
emptoy ordered to de There has not been the least OBJ
lection my the part Of this Government, and the
police lent Mr.. Gordon its prompt aid in the arrests.
| Next comes, under date Of December I, letter
from Mr. WISE to the British Minister there giving
the history Of the several cases and of the general
facts brought TO light in the examinations which he
has lately been conducting. This statement is so
important and interesting that must present the
narrative part of ii at large, and by this means not
only put the country in possession of minute
knowledge Of these practices, but turn its eyes upon
the persons who engaged in them, more or less
directly:
''SiR My whole time has been occupied lately in attend
ing the examination held before our Consul in the cases
several persons charged with the violation Of the laws of the
United States for the suppression of the African
You know how information, in part was obtained upon
which to institute proceedings The examination has been
successful in the development of three cases. at least as to
trace the entire connexions Of the savetrade and to show
a whist the vessels ana the nag OF the United States
employed for transportation British brokers are the immediate
agents of the savedeaes in Brazil in negotiating the char
tiers and sales Of these vessels and British goods chiefly are
and consigned to make funds for the on the
of Africa and British capital and credit are used here
to guaranty the payments Of these facts verified UNI
der OATH in the examination going before the United States
Consul requested Mr. Walsh, the Secretary Of this Lega-
ton, to inform you, being busy engaged myself to see
you in person TO address you in writing BY note Of
Friday last Mr.. Walsh says Il Mr. Hamilton yester-
day, Sc He appears well disposed act in the natter and
says he will be glad to receive from you,
ing all the details which you may possess. Neither he nor
Mr.. Hesketh had heard Of the Of the Agnes &c.
'tActng this message proceed state briefly as
cam the general history Of these cases. which may serve to
illustrate the leading features Of the foreign saveae and
the perfect aaion Of between citizens Of England
the United States, and Brazil, by which il is carried on
shall not be precise dates, because have the depo
ons before me, and they and very voumnous
"The Agnes United States merchant vessel employed
in the lawful and regular trade between Rio de Janeo and
Philadelphia, arrived here the - day Of - She
brought letters from her in Philadelphia her Ame
can consgnces here, nsructng them procure if possible
an advantageous for the vessel The consgnees
as usual Rio employed English broker by the name
of Wee,man of the English firm Of Hobkirk & Weetman
to negotiate this chaerpary for her. Weetman negotiated
business is that Of the foreign African slave-trae and whose
character for savedeang notorious any other unive
sally kaown fact in Rio de Janeiro. II to commence