The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-20

10, and 10 presumed to be essentially correct in
its statements of the facts. Upon receiving this
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 puoiie
interest will permit. .#."' 49,.
At the same time instructions were given TO-
Commodore Parker, commanding the Home
Squadron copy of which, so far as they relate
to the case Of the Prometheus, is herewith
''A"'''''''e' % ''' WILLARD FILLMORE,
WASHING Ton, December Is, 1851.
The following are the instructions alluded to
in the message: 49,. ..
Navy DEPARTMENT., December 3, 1851.
SIR: The President has learned that an Fog
lish ship-of-war, the Express" lying in the
harbor of San Juan de Nicaragua, has recently
fired upon the American steamer Prometheus,
while in the act of departing from that harb or,
and comp He'd her to pay certain demands al
legged to be portcharges, and claimed by persons
processing to act under the authority Of the local
government. .....
The particulars of the affair will be found in
letter of the agent of the Prometheus, already
published in the newspapers OF New York, Il
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, t! 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 a 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 rs the Snranac
shall be in all respects ready for sea, proceed in
her to San Juan dc Nicaragua, for the purpose
Of aifording protection to American commerce
aud 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 maiestys 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 merchan,
vessels and that they desire the most friendly
relations with the government of Central Amer.
ca, and will faithfully maintain on their part the
stipuIatous OF tn" treaty already referred to,
] am, very respectfully your obi scrv't,
WILL. A. GRAHAM.
Commodore +. A. PARKER,
Commanding U. 5. Home Squadron, Pensa-
cola.
The message and accompanying documents
were ordered to be printed.