The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-24

may be said or thought by those VINO are not per-
sonally acquainted with their situation, they are
happy and contented race, with strong mutual at
tachments between them and the masters family.
do not mean to pursue the subject further, al
though believe il would not be difficult to write a
volume, If were TO view it in all its bearings
H. M. BRECKENRIDGE.
N
Diplomatic Episode.
Report Of the Secretary Of State, sciA The correspond
encs Of the United States Consul at Valparaiso
itsstg M. ~ DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
W lii 3is Washington, January l6, 1880
To the Senate Of The United States.
In compliance with a resolution Of the Senate of
the 18th Instant have the honor to lay before il
copy of the correspondence Of our present consul nj
Valparaiso JOHN M. CLAYTON.
Extract of letter from StanIope Provost esq, Uni
ted States Consul at Lima, to the Secretary Of State,
. dated December IL, 1649.
'sMr. Potter has thought it a duty to himself and
to his country, to communicate to the Department
a very disagreeable occurrence which has taken
place here between himself and Mr.. Sullivan Brit
ish charge for Chill, and now here, on his way to
that country. Mr.. Potter has addressed me note
requesting me to state who are General Herrera and
M. Whifehssd, and what is their character, they
having been eye-witnesscs of the indignty offered
to Mrs. Potter and he having called upon them for
their testimony in the matter; to which have been
high standing and responsibility Of both; and to
conscieatiously add that, in my opinion any thing
coming from either Of them, regarding the occur.
renee in question, should be unhesitatingy received
as correct and impartial statement"
LIMA, Dec. Is, lS49
DEAR SIN: Having reached this distant point en-
route to one distant still from my late home,
1 cannot permit the excellent opportunity to pass
unembraced of writing to you by countryman,
Captain Myrck } bound direct for Baltimore, ria
the isthmus. When paying my last official visit in
| Washington, you did me the honor to say to me
you would be glad to hear from me whenever had
an opportunity to write.
shall never neglect so good achance as this pre-
| SCENTS. 49,
But it becomes my duty thus early, apart from
the qualification it affords me Of informing you OF
my delightful passage both sides of the CONT
nent far, to forward you an official communica-
ton. did not suppose that should have occasion
| to do before reaching Valparaiso; but recent
on Monday last, 10th inst, between Henry Stephen
Sullivan the British Charge dafaires to the court
of Santiago de Chill, and myself, it becomes my
duty at once, and by the earliest conveyance to give
you correct account Off, before incorrect state
ment finds its way into the public press. When
you will have learned, from perusing the enclosed,
all the facts and circumstances connected with it,
feel assured that my conduct, SO far from incur
ring the censure my government, will meet with
its cordial approval, and that of euery honorable
man.
On the arrival Of the steamer at Calao on Sunday
last, repaired TO this city, (the steamer being
obliged to lie by for Eve days for the purpose Of
coaling,) and procured rooms at the French hotel
for myself and family. After seeing them comfort
ably lodged, walked out, in company with fell
low passenger, to see the novelties Of Lima. On
turning to the hotel, met with gentleman who ad-
vised me to hurry myself, informing me at the same
time that great indignity had been offered my
wife, in my absence, by no less a personage than
the said Henry Stephen Sullivan, the English
| charge TO the government Of Chill. On reaching
| the hotel, was informed by General Herrera, OF
Chill, Mrs. Micke, his daughter, and James White
that shortly after had left the hotel, the official in
| question arrived with his family, and went to my
| apartments, and, in the most rude and insolent
manner, ordered my tcifs to leave the rooms which
had been assigned 10 us in person by the andlady,
claiming them as his by previous engagement.
| Mrs. p. appealed 10 him in the most earnest man.
ner 10 wait until my return, TO which be paid no
earthly attention, but continued TO inform her, In
the most nsolent and supercilious manner, that the
servant of the hotel would find other lodgings for
her. Alone, with her child in her arms, she fled to
| the room Of General Herrera for protection. Mrs.
Mickle (his daughter) discovering the distressed
condition OF Mrs. p, accompanied her 10 the rooms
| which Sullivan had forcibly entered, and besought
him to let Mrs. Potter remain until my return; but
she found that her appeals also were equally unayail-
| ing. Mrs. Micklc then Immediately went out and
sought the assistance Of MIR. Whitehead, who came
at Mrs Pottcrs aid and demonstrated, in the
most energetic manner, relative to the ungentie-
manly course he was pursuing, imporing him TO de-
sst until my return, and then the right OF the rooms
could be satisfactorily sscertained Hisremonstrance
\ was treated with equal contempt. In addition TO
| the objectionable and unbeard-of brutality which
| marked his course, he capped the climax OF his
arrogance by calling the landlord 10 the door, and
| remarked in French. =" You must take this woman
| out Of here; she is nothing but common cook
| This remark was heard by General Herrera, which
| he Immediately communicated 10 his daughter.
By this time the news Of the extraordinary con-
| duct Of this functionary had fired every one who
heard il with the utmost Indignation hastened
TO his rooms and informed that he was not in:
A short time after, called again. and he was still
not in. II being now late in the evening re-
moved my lodgings 10 a hotel in the "Plaza" The
next morning repaired at an early hour TO his
apartments, and called upon this man to accom-
pany me TO General Herrcra's room, for the pur-
pose Of explaining his extraordinary conduct in
The presence Of the general He refused TO do so;
and with the most deliberate assurance you can
imagine, he observed TO me, ut is you, sir, who
must apologize TO met" Finding that he was not
disposed 70 make amends for his base conduct, ]
| resolved 10 show him that, at home or abroad, an
American gentleman knows how 70 chastise the In
science Of a backyard, by giving him Gaming
in the presence Of about twenty persons, who hae
gathered around in the mean time, many OF them
too, his own countrymcn, who, 20 a man, remarked
''You have given him what he richly deserves"
Shortly after the occurrence, was waited upon
bv Mr., Stanhopc Provost, United States Consul foI
Lima, and other gentlemen, all Of whom informed
me that the sentiment Of the city OF Lima, 10 man
was that could not have done otherwise tnan re-
sent the insult Offered in the summary way EN-
poycd.
am aware that the friends Of the English charge
will exhibit TO the world avanished and incorrect
statement Of this matter, and give u a eotorine
foreign TO the facts. have, therefore, called upon
General Herrera and Mr.. Whitehead, for what they
know relative 10 10, and enclose the correspondence
between them, Mr. Provost and myself, for the pur
pose OF placing myself In proper position be'or'
the American government j am willing 10 abide
the verdict OF All honorable mon, placing them so
cosu consimiis" when all the facts are fairly laid
before the world A controversy OF this kind s e
| me unutteraby unpleasant; but should be das
tard in my own Estimation, and contemplate
thing in the eye Of my country, were ] 10 allow
| such an insult 10 pass UNPUBLISHED. trust have
/ Taught hlsp bow 70 respect an American lady in 9
with high regard, = remain, s.E, your obi serv't
n, W. POTTER,
United States Consul at Valparaiso,
To the Hon. JONI M. CLAvrov,
Secretary Of State Of the United States
n PSI beg leave to supersdd, that other gentle
, men have moot kindly rendered me their testimo.
ny, II Il become necessary, justsfyipg the course
that have pursued, and among them Engiieh {esl.