Mr. Hunter to Sir
F. Bruce
Department of State, Washington,
May 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to invite your attention
to the enclosed copy of a despatch of the 9th instant from William T.
Minor, esquire, the consul general
[Page 163]
of the United States at Havana, relative to a
suspected slave-trading enterprise in which the Margarita Quintero,
Elornea master, is suspected of being about to engage. I have put the
United States attorney at New York upon his guard, with a view to proper
proceedings should the vessel touch at New York, and the Secretary of
the Navy has also been placed in possession of the facts given in the
despatch.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
obedient servant,
W. HUNTER, Acting
Secretary.
Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce,
&c., &c., &c.
Mr. Minor to Mr. Hunter
Consulate General of the United
States of America, Havana,
May 9, 1865.
Sir: A steamer under Mexican colors, and
named Margarita Quintero, Elornea master, arrived at Matanzas, from
Vera Cruz, on the 29th ultimo, and sailed again on the 1st instant.
I am informed that she is the property of Don Julian Zulueta and
Captain Eugenio Vinas, both notorious slave traders, and was fitted
out at Vera Cruz for the African traffic in slaves. She came to
Matanzas for orders, bringing on board Don Teburcio Audia, a partner
of Zulueta, being cleared for New York, but some doubts are
entertained that she has gone to New York. Audia will be the
supercargo on the African voyage. It is possible, however, that she
has actually visited New York to complete her outfit. Bonds were
given at the customhouse in Vera Cruz.
The above information has been obtained from a source which I
consider reliable. Unfortunately it was communicated to me only last
evening.
I have the honor to be, sir, with much respect, your obedient
servant,
WILLIAM T. MINOR, Consul
General.
Hon. William Hunter, Acting Secretary of State, Washington.
