Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-20
WAsAlSofos. pEcsnBrn is, 1851.

TO The Senate 81 he United Stutss. $4,000 Fss h
have received resolution of the Senate adopted on
the l2th instant, in the following terms:
aRsoiced That the President Of the United States be
queed communicate the Senate not inconsistent with
the public interest any information the Executive may have
received respecting the firing into and seizure OF the American
steamship Prometheus by British vessel Of Novem
Der last near Grey Town. on the Mosquito and also
what have been taken by the Executive to ascertain
the state of the fact and to yndcate the honor Of the
country"
In answer to this request submit to the Senate
the accompanying extracts from communication adj
dressed to the Department of State by Mr.. Joseph L.
White as counsel of the American Atlantic and Pacific
Ship Canal Company, dated the I'd instant. This COM
munication is the principal Of the information
ceiyed by the Executive in relation to the subject alluded
to- and to be essentially correct in its state
nent of the facts Upon receiving this communication
instructions such the occasion seemed to demand were
Immediately dispatched the Minister of the United
States in London Sufficient time has elapsed for the
return of any this despatch from him and IN
my Judgment it would at the present moment be ncon
stent with the public interest to communicate these in
sructions communication, however, Of all the CORE
spondence win be made to the Senate the earliest
ment which proper regard to the public interest will
permit At the same time instructions given to
Commodore PARKER, commanding the Home Squadron,
copy of which, so far as they relate to the Of the
Prometheus, is herewith transmitted to the Senate.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, DECEMBER 8, 1851.
SIR: The President has learned that an English brig
Of war; the Sphynx lying in the harbor of San Juan de
Nicaragua has recently fred upon the American
Prometheus while in the act Of departing from that har-
bor and compelled her to pay certain demands alleged to
be port charges and claimed by protesting to
under the authority of the local Government.
The particulars of the affair will be found in letter of
the Captain Of the Promeheus already published in the
newspapers of New York, copy Of which is herewith
transmitted. N
Whatever may have been the merits of the question be-
the Captain of the Prometheus and the authorities
Of Nicaragua the United States acknowledge right in
the Government vessels Of Great Britain to exercise any
police and supervision Americas merchant vessels,
in Nicaragua elsewhere out Of the British dominons
On the contrary the first article of the convention between
the United States and her Britannia Majesty relative
Nicaragua signed April 49, 1850 Of which copy is also
enclosed expressly excludes each of the contracting par
from assuming exercising my dominion Mica
ragua Costa Rca the Mosquito coast, any part of
Central America.
You will therefore, the Saranac shall be in
oil respects ready for proceed in her to San Juan de
Nicaragua for the purpose of aordng protection Ae
rcan commerce and interests that against any
such interference for the future And your arrival there
you will notify the officer in command Of her Britannia
Maesys naval forces in that harbo 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 justify the
payment Of any lawful and proper port duties the part
of their merchant vessels and that they desire the most
friendly relations with the Government of Central Ame
RIGA, and win faithfully maintain their part the stpu
lations of the treaty already referred to.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILL. A. GRAHAM.
. Com F. A. PARKER,
Commanding u S. Home SQUADRON Pensacola.