The New York herald., 1851-12-20
VERY INTERESTING FROM NICARAGUA.
Our Nicaragua Correspondence.
SAN JUAN DE NIcARAGUA

DAN JUAN DE NICARAGUA,(
GREY Town, December 8, 1851.
The Firing at the Prometheus- Statement By Amsyi-
can Citizens.
The citizens of the United States residing in
San Juan, or Grey Town, deeming it necessary
that correct account of the late affair in the har-
Dor of this place should be placed before the Anne
can people, respectfully request the publication in
the HERALD of the following state -
The port of San Juan del Norte, (Grey Town.
Is free port all articles imported or exported are
free Of duty. The city government consists of q
council, of which Mr. Green. the English Consul,
is chairman. The council is composed of Eve mem.
bers, exclusive of the chairman, and are chosen an
nually by general election by the citizens. The
names ofthe present council are Messrs. VIM. Grey,
H. L. Stevenson, A. Siguad, S. Shepherd, j. Geades.
Messrs. Grey and Stevenson are Americans, Mr..
Siguad is Frenchman, Mr.. Shepherd is native
Of this coast, and Mr. Geddes is Q native of Scot
land. Each member Of the Council is, by right OF
Office, magistrate; and any act, whether relating
to the city the harbour, must be approved by the
council before it caA become o Law. Therei is a
regularly organised police force for the maints-
usual duties Of that Office, and Port Captain and
Pert Surgeon, whose duty it to board all vessels
entering the harbor.
All vessels entering the harbor are required to
y.
These vessels are exempt because they bring and
receive mail to and from this place. The same
privilege is offered to the steamer Of any other
country that will in like manner deliver and receive
mail to and from the countries from which they
come.
The steamship Frometheus commenced her reeu.
lar trips to this port in July last in connection by
the transit steamers on the river and lake, with the
steamers from San Francisco at San Juan del Sur.
The authorities Of this place granted to the COM
pany the privilege of OCCUPYING Q certain portion of
land on the opposite or north side of the harbor
for the purpose Of fitting up the river steamers,
position, on the part Of the government here, to
render to the company such facilities AZ might be
in their power in establishing the route and when
the frst steamer started her hrst voyage up the
town, the boats Of the war vessel Bermuda, then
lying IN pert were promptly sent to her relief, and
assisted in getting her Off Previous to the departure
ofthe Prometheus for New York, the bill for port
plea that the company did not recognize the authori
ties, and consequently would not pay Thisannounce-
mont was received with surprise and regret, asit
the wish Of the authorities and citizens that good
understanding should exist bstw cen them and the
company. The Pronetheus was permitted to de-
part, and made several trips each time refusing to
pay as before, at the same time ali other vessels
adlving and departing paid the regular charges
) On the morning Of November 2lst, the Prone
theus, then in port, and about to start for New
York, with large number Of passengers, among
them Mr.. Vanderbilt, president Of the canal com.
pany, who had just returned from the lake Of Mica
rsgua, whittier he had went with the new lake
steamer Central America
The usual o..,,,, Of charges was pre- sented in
cluding those due on fsfsrsr occasions, and pay,
mont again refused. A warrant Ssas tnen issued
(the council approving) for the arrest OF tis zap.
tain ofthe steamer for the debt. The Captain OF
the port, with some policemen, went on board, and
ON serving the process the captain of the steamer
resisted on this the Port Captain, with his men,
tired, at the same time giving notice that the
steamer would not be permitted to proceed to sea
until the debt was paid. In few minutes after,
the Prometheus was dropping down the hsrbor, and
Immediately the English brigofwar Express, got
fred. The steamer still continued dropping down,
. round shot was then sent across the bsw, and
another across the stern from the brig The steamer
then returned to her place Of anchorase. Mr..
Vanderbilt came on shore ard the debt was paid
IL Is matter Of regret to the Americans residing
In San Juan, that such an occurrence should have
taken place. Nearly one half the improved pro-
psrty Is held, and more than cne-hslf she business
10 done, by Americans. For good order and for
safety Of life and Of property Grey Town will COM
pare faversbly with any town In any country, aud
while Chagres has established unenviable repu-
tation, and San Juan del Slr and Virgin Bay are
follo wing the same track, Grey Town or San Juan
del Norte, presents the singular contrast Of good
order and safety, whilst almost surrounded by
Spanish American anarchy.
mere seemsan anomoly IN tne Iact tnat Wnho
the Prometheus recognized authority in Grey
Town, they repeatedly called on the authorities to
assist them in quelling insubo rdination on board
their vessels IL Is but short time ago, that the
Captain Of the Prometheus applied directly to the
Captain Of the English brig. Of war in the harbor
for assistance, On the event Of difficulty with hi
passengers, which he expected would take place.
The Americans here deem the Mosquito question
matter to be settled between the govsrs ments
interested and until that is done, that In order to
maintain the laws and give protection to citizens
and strangers that the usual port charges, as well
as all other taxes levied By consent OF the council
should be paid and ii may be here added that
Americans In buying property, landed or otherwise,
or accepting Office under the government, are not
required to relinquish single right they may pos
sess as American citizens.
We the undersigned, American merchants in
Grey Town, certify the foregoing statement to be
correct, and should IL be necessary, you are at ber
~ to use our names In connection herewith.
Respectfully,
Henry l.. Stephenson, z. +. Mancoros,
Vim. DeForest, Jos. V. Perez,
VIM. Gray, Nick. Bolivia
BENJAMIN Clinton