Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-09-20
Mn. wIsE-AFmcA AND BRAZIL.
FROM rHE .sArrrmomr Amrn,cAs.

1 49,
IM@
| FROM ,BALrIMoHE AMERICAN.
!, mercantile friend has handed TO us for publca-
ton the annexed letter, received from an American
merchant residing in the Brazilian capital
is@ Rio DK JAsEino, JuIa /, 1915.
observe the United states papers filled with statements
Of and remarks upon The proceedings OF Mr. Wsg at this
place. IN relation to vessels and persons engaged the
70 the coast Of Africa Most Of the details given erroneous
proceeding evidently from persons who knew only what was
presented % the eye, being entirely ignorant Of the and
character Of the several proceedings.
On the arrival Of Mr. WISE at this Court he received in
formation that many American vessels engaged I'M
lawful voyages the Of Africa aiding and abcttng
the saveade And, although Of the statements made
TO him false, yet they given with such detail Of cir
cumsance and Of vessels and persons, and rendered
credible by the weilestablshed crimnaity Of
Americans that coast that he felt himself commanded
only by duty his Government and country by the
laws OF humanity, to investigate the charges and true,
every his power enoce laws Of his
country and prevent the slightest participation on the part Of
Americans IN barbarous traffic. Now what has he done
lie advised the arrest Of the captain and mate OF the brig
Moievaeo 1t notorious fact among other charges that
the captain permitted savedeck TO be fitted board this
vessel while under American coors port of Brazil pre-
vious sailing for the of Africa where she deliver
ed up TO the Portuguese purchaser Now, will any say
that Mr. Wise, with knowledge of this fact would not have
been crmnay negecul Of his duty he had not advised
that the captain and Of this vessel should he arrested and
sent home for trial think not sf4
Then the Of the brig Popose She arrived from the
coast Of Africa, and Commodore Turner and through him
the United States Consul informed that she actually had
slaves board
The Consul off and obtained the the guya
(the chief house oficer) that guard, by
Commodore Turner should remain board the Porpose
til Mr. Wise could communicate with the Minister Of Foreign
Affairs to obtain the dissent of this Government to
her being held and the United States for trial.
The Minister Of Foreign Affairs had confirmed to Mr. Wise
the privilege Of holding the Porpose until the matter could be
maturey debcrated upon, and this Government decide
course pursued this position of the affair."
while the representatives Of the United Staes acting
der the authority of the Minister of Foreign Affairs the Min
Of Justice without consultation with the Min
lister of Foreign Affairs, sent off armed force TO expc
Commodore Turner's guard and take possession Of the Por
poe, being fool enough to believe she would be Immediately
given up and expecting mmortaze himself by boodess
achievement But he aroused from his
martial the truth of the American character Mr.
Wise had claimed jurisdiction in the The vessel
held by the courteous permission OF that branch of this
Government with which alone belongs foreign Minister
communicate, and Mr. Wise disposed tamely
submit the rude and threatening violence Of another branch
Of the Government.
The Minister Of Foreign Affairs much alarmed The
Minister Of Justice talked blood and havoc and demanded the
surrender of the Porpose Mr. Wise told him he could do
nothing while he held uphhed He must withdraw
his force, and then he was prepared 10 negotiate
The forces recalled and then, by request Of the Min
lister of Foreign Affairs (who had the conclusion thai
the be referred to the tribunals oil Brazil the
American guard withdrawn and the vessel and de-
veed up the authorities OF the country from whose jurs
ction there never had been any intention Them
with he Of the f;osernment The vessel after
wards delivered 10 the United States Consul and she captain
By some Mr. Wise is accused Of yoIasae the laws Of ma
tons, and invading the jurisdiction of Brazil causing the
Of the Porpoise By Others he censured for not dis
regarding the jurisdiction Of Brazil and continuing 10 bold
her Thus unless he could do and leave undone the
thing at the time, appears impossible that he should
please all his counIymen.
1t will be from the that the Porpoise
arrested with the consent Of this Government and that
she given up the authorities Of the country
the Minister of Foreign Affairs made the request, Hence
there violation Of Brazilian jurisdiction, and is
clearly shown that the rude show OF force by the Minister
Justice totally dsregarded Mr.. Wse's relations
entirely with the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, and with him
only would he negotiate. All acquainted with Mr.. Wise
know well that to yield TO threats part OF his nature
His in relation to the African admitted by his
counrymen in Rio TO be- the general right; and it, in
hunting out the guilty mpunon has fallen upon the inno
cent it s only what occurs in the application Of the laws IN
all countries upon all matters Ii fully in the power of the
prove their innocence and for the yuperaons Of
the guilty he should not
His searching Investigations have developed facts occurring
in the African trade Of which the American merchants Of this
place entirely ignorant and his action has done
for the suppression Of the slave trade than al the British
of-war upon the African coast Az the time it should
not and has not been intended prejudice legal trader
Cor all know that voyages be made the Of Afr
without violating any law policy Of the United States
and Mr. Wise mhcsangy says that may be made
there strictly legal to other country and that he
wishes 70 see such voyages encouraged
Mr. Wise has been charged with being prcctate and vo
ena creature Of impulse II true he has heart well
head but his energy o character only be offensive
TO those whose improper purposes il his duty thwa He
looks upon every American his BROTHER and is prepared TO
all lengths county and countymcn and there
not American in Brazil who invoyed in difficulty, would
not look TO him with confidence his efficient advocate And
Is much he hoped for the credit Of country, that
party feeling home may lead TO his recall and the sub
siuon Of tame creature, who win sleep upon his post,
inefficient as he may be inonepsiye.
AN AMERICAN MERCHANT.