The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-17
coRREspoxDrscE OF rHs AMERICAN.

WAsHIsGTos, Jan. is, 1880
News has Just reached this city Of personal rem
cOntrc which took place at Lima, the 10th Of the
last month, between your fellow citizen, Col. Fab
diel w. Potter, the nawly appointed consul OF the
United States Mt Valparaiso, and the Hon. Henry
Stephen Sullivan, nephew Of Lord Palmerston, and
her Britannia majestys charge d'affaires near the
government Of Chill, the particulars Of which, as
well a. can learn as follows: On the 9Th DE =
cember last, IL seems that Col Potter with his fam
lily, being route for Valparaiso, stopped at Lima;
il being necessary that the steamer should lie by
several days at Callao in order TO take in a supply
of coal. Col. Potter took lodgings for himself and
family at the French hotel After having taken his
rooms in the hotel into which lac shown by the
landady IN person, and as he supposed comfortably
lodged his family during the stay Of the steamer at
Callao, he walked out In company with a "com-
pagnon du voyage" 10 take view Of Lima and its
novelties and curiositics.
Col Potter had not long left his lodgings before
the Honorable Henry Stephen Sullivan with his fam
lily stopped at the hotel and deliberately walked up
TO the rooms which had been assigned 10 Col. Pot
ter and family, and took orcible possession Of them,
and turned Mrs. Potter and her infant child out Of
doors. Mrs. Potter besought him with tears in her
eyes 10 await the return Of her husband, who would
only be absent for a few minutes, but IL all in
vain. HE British nobility told her that she
only common American cook, and ordered her
out with her child in her arms, directing servant
10 find other apartments for her. Gen. Herrera /,
who occupied rooms near those aken by Col. Pot
ter, appealed to by Mrs. p, and nc and his
daughter, Mrs. Mckle, went with her 10 the charge
and besought him 10 await the return Of Col. Pot.
ter; but tins appeal also without effect. Mrs.
r. was again ordered out Of the room, and as she
left in tears, this accomplished functionary and chi
valric gentleman tainted her with words Of this
sort" Mamma, don't whip mc-I'll be good next
time--l will"
Some time after this brutal occurrence Colonel
Potter returned 10 the hotel when he was informed
Of what had transpirod; and as soon az he could
hear the story hc called upon Mr.. Sullivan, who
had gone out. After short time he called again,
bat was again told that the gentleman was not in
Lake true American gentleman, Colonel p. de
cncd 10 disturb the family Of this royal offender
la the least 10 take advantage Of his absence but
went Immediately 10 a hotel in the Plaza and pro-
cured other lodging, il being then nearly night.
Early tho next morning he again repaired 10 the
room Of the charge, and found him, this time, " at
home" lie requested him very politely TO accom-
pany him to the apartments Of General Herrera in
order TO have an explanation Of the disgracefu
conduct towards Mrs. Potter the previous eve.
ming. Mr.. Sullivan coolly declined the request
and told Colonel p. that IL was he (Col. P.) who
must mako the apology TO his lordship. Upon this
Colonel Potter administered 10 him a wellmerited
and well applied chastiscmcnt, Gaming him until
they were both completely exhausted with the Fl.
fortthe one in the passive, the other in the active
sense.
This Just retribution was witnessed by a large
number Of gentlemen, among whom were several
Englishmeu and every body agreed that Potter
was entirely in the right. u lie needless 10 add,
that as soon the spread over the city Of
Lima, there was universal burst Of admiration Of
Pottcr's conduct on the one hand, and Of condcfn.
nation Of Sullivsn's on the other. II is hoped that
this affair will teach Lord Palmorstons nephew
that an American citizen, at home or abroad, IL not
disposed TO brook any insult, even from who IL
OF blood kin TO his ordship and high functionary
this lesson, and learn how 10 resent injury him
self hereafter.