Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-15

Inc New ork Courier as the follow
ing interesting letter from its welI-informed
correspondent al Washington. under date
Of the 9Th inst
SO far as the Government could act in
the affair Of the Prometheus, it has acted
promptly, efficiently and patriotically.-
AT such juncturc. and under such cir
cumstances. no man could have been more
fortunately charged with the department
Of State than he whose proverbial sagacitv,
discretion and American spirit so peculiar
ly qualify him to grasp all the questions Of
public law connected with this outrage,
and whose character furnishes the highest
warrant th,t the honor and rights Of the
country will be bravely and justly indica-
ted.
Wnhin haitian hour after the receipt OF
the intelligence Of this occurrence, Mr..
Webster addressed letter to the Presi-
dent. recommending the immediate des-
patch ola sufficient naval armament on the
Atlantic and Pacific sides. TO afford protec-
ton TO oar commerce and citizens at the
fermini Of transit between the two oceans
Orders were accordingly issued to that ef;
feet, and every energetic step was taken
which could be devised as likely to serve
the object ofprotection. and to defend our
flag against the repetition ofsuch an I'M
warranted indlgnity and injury.
According to the information which has
reached me from reliable quarters. Mr.
Webster adopted the precau,ion OF com.
municating at once with the proprietors Of
the Collins steamcrs.to detain the Atlantic
to day long enough to ensure the delivery
of The mail which left here last evening
for New York, and which carried several
important official communications from
him.
1t may be assumed as undoubtedly true
that the Secretary of State has addressed
n brief, but urgent and decided despatch
TO Mr.. Lawrence, instructng him to sub
nit the case to the consideration Of the
British Minister Of Foreign Affairs. and
to enquire, whether the act of the man-of
war Express was authorized by any cx
isting instructions, and if not authorized
whether the British Government is willing
to assume the responsibility ofrhat act =
He is also instructed 10 represent. that the
Government Of the United States regard,
this proceeding as palpable iniraction OF
the Clayton and Bulwer Treaty. of Al ri
1850.
In order TO quicken the zeal of the A
rncrica1 Minister, beyond the usual oiIicia
pace, it is understood that Mr.. Websiei
has presented the same views, quite a.
strongly in private correspondence, and
stated that the feeling of the country
demanded instantaneous and satisfactory
action. In my opinion, there is no sufIi
Client cause for appreheuding interruption
ofdIplomalic intercourse, Or any collision
from this unfortunate and much 10 he de.
prcca,ed circumstance. The British Gov
eminent must disavow the whole proceed
Ing, or 1t must expect something more rhar
ccrcmonious communications. feel per
sundcd. without having any authority fol
the declaration. that Sir Henry Bulwcr
viii be required To return here mmediatc
~, o. that some other person of cousidcra
ton Mi be appointed to make the neces-
sured while Daniel Webster fills the chair
Of Secretary Of State, that 10 aiouemcnr
short OF that which the whole country il
approve. and which the public sentiment
now demands, will be accepted. 1t is the
mutual interest of the countries to cult
vatc The most friendly relations, but i
ought to be understood. while there is
every disposition on our part, to mnintan
such terms, that they cannot be continued
If orr flag may be subjected to the hazard
of wrongs like that upon which these com
mcn's are made. The active cause of the
war of 1912 was the attempt to dishonor
the national ensign by asserting a claim to
privileges, which had they been yielded,
would have disgraced the American name
The spirit which resisted that aggression
burns as deeply and pure as ever. Forty
years of contact with the world have not
suhducd. but strengthened it. Let us hope,
however. that there will tie 10 occasion for
Its exercise.