Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-21
Mr.. wilson to he Mexican Minister.


NEW York, july IT, 1852.
DEAR SIR: Seeing the enclosed account Of the impri-
sonment Consul at Acapulco in newspaper of the
city, and similar accounts in other newspapers and know
ing well that the difficulty originated in attempt on
the part Of the American Consul deprive party Of
American sailors Of their legal rights viz prevent the
engineer stewards and hands Of American steamer Com
modore Stockton from enforcing their claim for wages
after she had been abandoned in foreign port felt
10 be a duty which owed to American seamen in dis
ress not to enter into newspaper discussion, but TO
notify you, and az the time 10 notify our Secretary
of State that ready to furnish statement Of the
case which would fully justify only the Imprisonment
of the Consul but his punishment, for what
slider be gross malfeasance in Office And, for appear
ing to volunteer in this natter my apology is that con-
slider IL TO be my duty admiralty lawyer to render
only my testimony but also my professional services
voluntarily in defence Of oppressed American seamen
And do this the more cheerfuy in this case as the
managing creditor (Alr Snyder) appears to be very
worthy and intelligent man.
The whole OF these newspaper complaints may be sum-
med up in stating that the American Consul is complain
lng OF an American who is seeking in legal way
70 enforce lien for out Of American steamer
and completely furnished and which cost In the Atlantic
States few months before the sum o b 600 and hay-
ing no other defect than the enlargement Of the padding
OF her propeller shaft he sac is abandoned in foreign
port ana sofa by the American Consul single bidder
to his particular fena to gentleman at the time stop
ping in the Conspl's own family a Mr. Fritz-for the
sum OF S50VQs and in seeking obstruct the seamen in
enforcing thsr prior lien for wages he has involved him.
sell WIN I1e Mexican authorities. The seamen, in pur-
suanee Of their legal rights applied to the Mexican Court
Of Admiralty (Juez 10 sdnea) and the Consul for le
sally interfering in suit in which he party
for this he has been sent TO prison.
But TO be more explicit In December last, on my
way from California TO the city Of Mexico, stopped
few DAYS at the village Of Acapulco and by mutual
sent was called the third Of the three buenos hom
bres (concaors or referees in the Of Snyder and
others gs the American Com Stockton and hei
master for sameas trdges being known 70 many persons
in the village as American lawyer, and from my lone
residence on the Pacific side presumed to know some
thing Of Mexican as well American law, and having
held the same Office under General Riley IN California
Judge Of first IDstance-Jucz 10 nstoncid which th
Judge at Acapulco held under the same system OF laws
The wages admitted to be due the steamer in this SUI
was n think 49, 600 But if wages had been allowed
according system, until the sailors had been FOR
mally discharged or until suit was commenced, tner
would have been due about $40 900, Il think.
Before the referees il charged that before thi
steamer left Acapulco on her trip up plan had bee
formed to steal her. in the peculiar language used O
the Pacific coast. The only evidence on which thi
charge seemed be based the fact that the Stock
ton having rode storm the Coast Of California
and within three days sail Of an American port, wa
found to have oosened the padding Of her propeller shaft
whereupon the master put her before the wind the defec
being in her stern and after q hihk) ten days sail an
steam she made the port Of Acapulco, most unfit plac
for the repair Of ship
In reference TO the proceedings Of Mr. Rice, consul i
relation to this steamer give his statement mad
10 me- instead Of giving the statement Of the other side
The master and seamen joined in petition for survey
that ON survey had il reported that 500 think
would be required to t her for sea that having adver