The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-19

to, aud 10 presumed to be essentially correct In
it's statements of the facts. Upon receiving this
communication, instructions such as the occa.
| sion seemed TO demand were Immediately des-
patched to the Minister of the United States in
London. Sufficient time has not elapsed for
the return OF any answer to this despatch from
him, and in my judgment it would at the pres
ent moment be inconsistent with the public in
terest TO communicate those instructions A
communication, however, Of all the correspond
ence will be made to the Senate at the earliest
moment at which proper regard to the public
interest will permit.
AT the same time instructions were given to
Commodore Parker, commanding the Home
Squadron--a copy of which, so far as they relate
TO the case of the Prometheus, is herewith
transmitted to the Senate
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WAsHISGToN December 10, 1851.
The following are the instructions alluded to
in the message:
Navy DEPARTMENT., December 3, 1851.
SIR: The President has learned that an Eng
fish ship war, the Express" lying in the
harbor Of San Juan de Nicaragua, has recently
fired upon the American steamer Prometbeus,
while in the act Of departing from that harbor,
and compelled her to pay certain demands, al
legged to be port charges, and claimed by persons
protesting to act under the authority Of the local
government
The particulars of the affair will be found in
a letter of the agent of the Prometheus, already
published in the newspapers of New York, n
copy of which is herewith transmitted.
Whatever may have been the merits Of the
question between the captain of the Prometheus
and the authorities of Nicaragua, Il e United
States acknowledge no right in the government
or vessels of Great Britain to exercise any police
or supervision over American merchant vessels
in Nicaragua or elsewhere out of the British
dOminiOns; on the contrary, the first article OF
the convention between the United States and
her Britannia majesty, relative to Nicaragua,
signed April 10, 1850, of which copy is also
enclosed, expressly excludes each of the con-
tracing parties from assuming or exercising any
dominion over Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mos
quita coast, or any part Of Central America.
You will, therefore, as soon as the Saranac
shall be in all respects ready for sea, proceed in
her to San Juan de Nicaragua, for the purpose
of affording protection to American commerce
and interests on that coast against any such in
reference for the future. And on your arrival
there you will notify the officer in command Of
her Britannia majesty's naval forces in that har-
Dor, or on that coast, of the object of your visit
At the same time, you will assure the local
authorities of the port that the United States will
not justify the non. payment OF any lawful and
proper port duties on the part of their merchant
vessels, and that they desire the most friendly
relations with the government of Central Amer
ca, and will faithfully maintain on their part the
stipulatoins of the treaty already referred to-
am very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
WILL. A. GRAHAM
Commodore f. A. PARKsR,
Commanding U. S Home Squadron, Pensa
cola.
The message and accompanying documents
were ordered to be printed