The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-02-06
THE FORTUNATE FUSS.
THE ITALIAN CONSUL AT NEW YORK
TAKES 1T UP.
He Writes a Pretty Sharp Letter to Gov
ernor Evans and the Latter Replies at
Lensth--The Correspondence.


Lensth--The Correspondence.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Jan. 31.-The un
fortunate Fortunate. the Italian
bark which was searched by the con-
stables in Charleston harbor, concern
ing which proceeding considerable has
already been said in The State and ev-
cry other newspaper. is still a ''casus
belli," insofar as wars OF words are
concerned.
The Incidents growing a little more
interesting just now, and 1t may get
more interesting still before it is all
over. The Italian Consul General sta
toned at the port of New York has
now taken up the matter, and below
will be found some interesting CORES
pondence between himself and South
Carolina new Governor.
THE coSsULs COMPLAINT.
The following is copy Of the letter
which Governor Evans has received
from the Consul General:
New York, Jan. 26, 1895.
To His Excellency. the Governor of
South Carolina, Columbia, S. c.:
Sir: I have been informed by Mr..
Caste1lano. the Italian consular agent.
that in two separate instances the po::
lice of Charleston has. eyen IN spite OF
his protests, entered the Italian ship
Fortunate" now lying AT that port.
As reason for such proceeding 1t was
given out that the captain was sus-
oected of either having actually sold
or of wanting to sell the wine. which
he kept on board, as he had right to
do, to the people of the place. If such
has been the case, although proceed
incs of that kind are anything but con-
sistent with the rights which the trea-
ties and international laws secure to
foreign shipping in a friendly harbor,
I would not appeal to your excellencE.
I am willing not to claim treaty rights
when that might be considered as a
protection to people who break the
laws of a country where they are adj
mitted to trade.
But that the accusation brought
against Capt. Espito was absolutely
groundless it had been proved by the
examinations which the customs had
made of the very limited quantity of
vine which he kept on board, by the
sealing of the casks, etc. The second
visit then of the police had no posi-
bic ground of justification, and seems
to have had no other object but that
of making sure that the captain and
crew of the vessel We're observing
themselves prohibition laws to which
thev are certainly not bound to sub
init. Even with a good reason, such
visit must be objected to, as 1t was
made without asking the consent OF
the consular authority, in the absence
of the captain, and in spite of the pro-
test of the officer who was in charge
of the vessel.
I have the honor to request that your
eScellencv will investigate the case
and inform me by whose order these
steps were taken and on what ground.
If things are as have been informed,
your excellency will no doubt issue IN
structions that such proceedings OF the
police be not repeated again. l have
the honor to be, sir.
Your obedient servant,
G.. BRANITA,
Consul General Of Italy.
GOVERNOR EVANS REPLY.
The following is the reply of Cover
nor Evans to this rather sharp letter
from the Italian Consul General:
Executive Chamber.
Columbia, S. c., Jan. 20, 1895.
G. Branita, Scnor, Consul General OF
Italy, New York City:
Sir: have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter, of the
25th inst, in which you ask for lnfor-
nation in reference to the search by
the constables, or police, as you call
them, of the Italian ship Fortunate,
lying at,the port of Charleston in this
State. You have been misinformed
as to the number of searches made by
the constables as only one instead OF
two, was made. These proceedings
were had under my orders and under
warrant of judicial officer of this
State upon information therein stated,
to the effect that the captain Or other
officer of said ship were engaged IN
selling wines or liquors kept on board
to citizens Of this State. which, of
course, as YOU are doubtless Informed.
is entirely contrary to our laws and
cannot be allowed. The constables
before making search. by way Of ccur-
tesy only, asked for the approval of
vour consul at the port of Charleston
and the same was refused. The con-
stables did not go on board, but wired
me for further instructions. They
were instructed to proceed at once to
search the vessel. regardless of the
consul. who. as l understand the law,
had exceeded his authority in attempt
| ing to prevent search of the vessel.
The constables boarded the vessel,
searched it thoroughly and finding
nothing contra1and, made no further
attempt at seizure or arrest of any OF
| the crew.
The Assistant Attornev General OF
the State was ordered to Charleston TO
thoroughly investigate the matter. and
his report has been placed before ne.
am satisfied in my own mind that
the crew Of the 'tFortunata have been
dealing in Illicit liquor traffic. but
the evidence to support this comes
| from persons Of such character as
would not warrant me in asking for a
conviction before q jury OF our coun-
trymen.
You state in your letter the captain
was suspected either OF having actual
" sold or wanting 10 sell the wine
which lie kept Oh board and. in par
enthesis. YOU state ''as lie adthe right
to do to the people OF the place. aal
sure you will not hold to sucha CON
clusion after reading our statue upon
the subject, which | herewith enclose
for your perusal and information.
recognize the fact, Us YOU state,
that the crew of the FORTUNATE were
not bOD1 To observe themselves Dr0ni