New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-20
NICARAGUA.
The Affair Of she Prometheus.
Correspondence OF The N. y Tribune
SAN JUAN DEL NoRTE. (Greytovn,)
Friday, Dec. 5, 1851.


SAN JUAN DEL NoRTE (Greytovn,1
Friday, Dec. 5. 1851
The citizens of the United States, resid-
ING in San Juan Del Norte or Greytown. deem
iug It necessary that correct account Of the
late affair in the Ilarbor OF this Port should be
placed before the American people respectfully
request the publication In The TrbuRe Of the
following statement:
TIE port Of san Juan del Norte (Greytown) Is q
free por All articles imported or exported are free
o'duiy. The City Government consists OF Coua-
on. OF which Mr.. Green, the English Consul, is
Chairman. The Council is composed OF FIVE men,
bers exclusive Of the Chairman, who are chosen an
Dually by general election Of the citizens The
lanes of the present Council are VIM Cray, Henry
J.. Stevenson, Augustine Sigand, Samuel shepherd
2 James Geddes Messrs. Gray and Stevenson
aIe Americans Mr.. Sigsnd il a Freedman MIR.
Shepherd Is native Of this coast and Mr. Geddes
K a Scotchman
Each member Of the Council is a Magistrate, by
hight Of Office. and any act whether relating to the
City or Harbor must be approved by the Council be-
fore il can become law. There rs regularly or
ganzed police for the maintenance of order, City
attorney to discharge the usual duties OF that Office
and Port Captain and Port Surgeon, whose duty It
is to board all vessels entering the harbor.
All vessels entering the harbOr are required TO
pay harbor dues excep! the English Mall steamers,
and these vessels are exempt simply because tney
bring and receive a mail to and from this place
II
any other country that will like manner deliver
and receive mail to and from the countries from
which they come.
The steamship Prometheus commenced her regu-
lar trips to this porl IN July last connection with
the transit steamers the River and Lake, and tho
steamers from San Francisco TO San Juan DEL sur
The authorities Of this town granted to the Company
the privilege OF occupying certain portion OF land
the opposite or north side OF the haroor Tor the
purpose of fitting up the river steamers, olschargns
coal, &c. There appeared TO be dispositlon on the
~ CNx-o harQ ~ N
the Company such facilities might be In their
power in opening and managing the route and
waen the first steamer started on her FIRST TIP pine
river, and grounded on a sand bar opposite the
iCWI, the boats OF the British man Of war Bermuda,
lben lying in port, were promptly sent 10 hor relief,
ard assisted III getting her Oh Previous 10 the De
paTtUfe Of the fIometheus for kew-YOTk, the bill
for port charges presented, and
on the plea that the Company did not recognize the
authorities and consequently would not pay. ms
announcement was received with surprise and re-
glet, 1t the wish Of tho authorities and Citi-
Gems that good understanding should exist tween
them and the Company.
The PIometheus was permitted TO depart, and
made several trips, each time refusing to pay as be.
fore. AT the time all other vessels arriving and
departing paid the regular charges without a muir
nVT. On the morning of November 81 the Prone
theus, being then IN port and about starting for New
York. with large number Of passengers on board,
among them Mr. Vanderbilt, President OF the Canal
Company, who had just returned from the Lake OF
Nicaragua whittier he had been with the new lake
steamer Central America was presented with the
usual bill of charges, including those due on former
occasions, and payment again refused
warrant was then issued, with the approval Of
the Council for the arrest Of the captain of the
steamer for the debt The captain Of the port, with
of the policemen went on board, and on serving
me process the captain OF the steamer refused On
his the port captain with his men retired at the
same time giving notice that the steamer would not
be permitted to proceed to sea until the debt was
paid. 4 few minutes afterwaid, the Prometheus was
dropping down the harbOr and Immediately the En-
eiish brig.ofwar Express got under weigh aud fired
a blank cartridge. The steamer still continued to
crlft toward the mouth Of the harbOr when the brig
sent a shot across her bow, and another astern OF
her, when she returned to her anchorage, and Mr..
Vanderbilt came ashore and paid the debt.
II is matter Of regret to the Americans residing
III San Juan that such an occurrence should have
taken place. Nearly one-half of the improved prop
erty is held and than ne-half OF the business
is DONE by Americans. For good order, and for
safety of life and property this town will compare
iavorably with any other in any country, and while
Chagres has established an unenylable reputation
and San Juan del Sur and Virgin Bay are following
the same course, San Juan del Norte or Greytown
presents the contrast OF good order ana satety,
whilst almost surrounded with Spanish American .n,
ANARCHY. There seems an anomaly III The fact that
while the Prometheus recognizes no authority In
this town, that she calls upon the aosho1ines 70
is but short time ago that the captain OF the FRO
metheus applied directly TO the Captain OF the Eng
liSh brig OF In the hafboT for assistance In tne
event OF difficulty with his passengers, which he
anticipated. .
The Americans here deem the Mosquito question
matter to be settled between the Governments IN
terested and until that done, that IN order TO MAN.
tain the laws and give protection 20 citizens and
strangers the usual port charges as wei as all other
taxes levied by the Council, should be paid.
And it may be here added that nercans IN buy
ing property landed other, accepting ONCE UNI
der This Government, are not required to relin.
quish single right they NAV possess as American
citizens
We the undersigned American merchants IN this
town certify the foregoing statement to be correct
and should 1t be necessary, you are al liberty to use
our names in connection Herewith.
Respectfully
HENRY L. STEVENSON, BENZ. CLINTON,
WM H. DeFORgsT, p. L. MASC0sOs,
WM GRAY, Jos v PEREZ,