New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-04-16
THE STEAMER AMERICA.
OFFICIAL INFORMATION FROM THE BRAZIL
SQIiADRON.


Adyiccs have been received from Commodore VIM.
d. Salter con mander-n- chief Of the Brazil qusdron
dated United States flag ship Savannah, lharoor Ro
De Jeneirol Feb ~ 1856. 1t appears that the United
States merchant steamer America, which arrived at
tie above named place from New-York via Pemam-
bucO and bound TO San Francisco on the 9Th OF Feb
ruary last was charged with having arms aud anmu-
milton concealed Oh board.
This charge was made 10 the English admiral by
person who was on board the America but short time
iabout ~ hours and who proved himself so worthless
that he discharged thus giving rise tn the SUPPOSE
ton that be circulated his report with malicious nten
tons without having any foundation whatever for
making it. The facts are briefly as follows:
The following il copy Of the letter addressed 10
Com. Salter by Rear Asniral W. j. Hope Jobnstone,
commanding II. b. Mejesty's naval forces on the
Brazil coast dated the 10th of February last:
"The late second mate of the United Staies steam
ve--el America this pors Rio de Jsnero,l
having voluntarily acquainted the officer IN command OF
H. b. Majesty ssteam-ves-el Trident and subsequently
informed me verbally and in writing that the above
mt ntioned steamer, comm anted by Capt Hudson has
got sets Of papers, and has eight guns IN boxes
slowed under To Goals and boxes of small arms under
the cabin none Of which included in the manifest,
and having further stated that she cleared but yeser
day at the Cu-tom-Iiouse and will sal 20 morrow at
a. n therefore request that you Will consider 1t e1-
ueoient to prevent the America from quitting this port
until the above statement the pat OF the said mate
j. proved to be true otherwise; and IN the mean
willie ! have communicated the information 10 the
British Charge AfiaHes in order that the local au-
Frnch senior officer.
81 NAV add further, that recently received infor
nation Of fast steamer being about 10 quit New
Yoik supposed to act as Russian privateer, and,
although the America does not in every particular an
ever the description yet if the mstes testimony Is
true | consider there Is just grounds of suspicion in
the case which makes me the more DESTROYS OF com
municatrg with you on 70 delicate point as inter-
feriug with the movements Of any vessel bearing the
United States flag"
The following Is the reply of Commodore Sster to
the above letter, dated Feb. IL:
81 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt your
communication Of yesterday, delivered to me by your
secretary, relating to the United States steamer
America.
immediately upon the receipt Of your letter, I
communicated its contents 10 Captain Hudson and in
reply wac assured by lin in the strongest terms that
there were no arms of any description on board the
America with the exception OF rife, fowling piece
and pair Of pistols all belonging to himself; that he
had on board the ship some boxes Of machinery, but
not piece Of armament except the above.
Captain Hudson also stated that the person who
gave tie Information to yourself and the commander
Of the Trident not on board the ship when she
arrived but shipped here, and proving worthless,
was discharged very after he joined the vessel
In discharging him Captain II. very abrupt, and
be Capt H.. has no doubt the reports concerning his
yesses were made with malicious motive OF revenge.
Il am the more convinced of the want Of truth in
the statements made by the second mate, from the
fact that at present in the United States and partcu
larry in NewYork, from which port the America
sailed most rigid search made Of vessels leaving
port in order prevent any fllbusterng move nent
and had the America had any such quantity of arms
on board she would undoubtedly have been detained.
81 may add that have been personally acquainted
with Capt. Hudson for a number Of years, he having
been formerly attached 10 the United States Naval
service and have perfect confidence in his state
uaent."
Accompanying these letters il also the affidavit OF
Can't. Vim. II. Hudson, In command of the America,
which l. supported by the statements Of VIM. Z. lie
Roy, flag lieutenant, and Robert Whitaker, boat
swain, who examined the vessel.
Commodore Salter having reason 10 believe that,
notwithstanding BIZ assurance 10 the English Admiral
were the Am@rica b. 90 10 without escort sne
would be boarded Outside either by English
French vessel Of war, deemed it best 10 accompany
her Ia the flagship SAY annah, clear OF all probability
"of interference the part o: any foreign vessel Of
war on that station ard sailed for that purpose
the morning Of the 18Th Of February asst N tow Of Tie
a.