The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-14

sY The Republic Of yesterday contains the
following abstract of the correspondence on the
Prometheus affair, laid before the House ON
Thursday:
THE PRoMETHEUs AFFAIR.
The SPEAKER also laid before the House
message from the President Of the United States,
transmitting acopy of the instructions despatch.
ed by the Department of State to the Minister
of the United States at London, in reference to.
the attack on the United States steamer Pro-
metheus, in the harbor of San Juan de Nicara-
qua, by the British brig of war Express" and
also a copy of the despatchs of Mr.. Lawrence to
that, department, and of his correspondence
with her Britannia Majesty's principal Secretary
Of State for foreign affairs upon the same sub
ject which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be printed.
The first despatch is dated December Q, 1851,
from Mr.. Webster to Mr.. Lawrence, detailing
to him the particulars of the attack upon the
Prometheus, and repeating the directions of the
President that he will lose no time in addressing
note upon the subject TO Lord Palmerston, and
inquire whether the captain Of the Express
acted pursuant TO orders from his government,
and whether that course is approved; and that
Mr.. Lawrence would state, il these questions
should be answered in the affirmative, the Presi-
dent,would consider the proceeding violation Of
the treaty of April 10, 1850, by which Great
Britain has stipulated that she would not make
use of any protection which she might afford
Nicaragua, the Mosquito coast, or any part Of
Central America, for the purpose Of assuming
or exercising any dominion over the same.
This government" Mr.. Lawrence is instructed,
.srannot consent to the collection Of port charges
u San Juan by British ships Of war, or that their
collection should be enforced by them. The
occurrence above referred 10 has created equal
surprise and regret, and has caused the Presi-
dent to give immediate orders for the despatch
Of an armed vessel TO San Juan"
On the 10Th Of December, 1851, Mr.. Law.
renee addressed note 10 Mr.. Webster, acknowl.
edging the receipt Of his despatch, and, in com.
pliance with the instructions, he on that day adj
dressed a note to Lord Palmerston upon the
subject, copy Of which he encloses.
Mr.. Lawrence, on the 26th Of December, 1851,
informs Mr.. Webster Of the withdrawal OF Lord
Palmerston from the British cabinet
There are copies Of other notes transmitted TO
Congress.
Lord Granville 10 Mr.. Ldprence
The undersigned, her Britannia Majesty's Sec.
rotary Of State for foreign affairs has the honor
10 acquaint Mr.. Abbott Lawrence, envoy extra.
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary from the
United States OF America, that Her Majesty's
government have just received from the vice ad.
miral, commanding Her Majesty's naval forces in
the West Indies, n report upon the subject Of
/ the Prometheus, which is 10 the following effect:
that, on arriving at ST. Thomas, the admiral re.
ceiyed despatch from the commander Of Her
Majesty's sloop Express" stating that, on the
requistion OF Mr.. James Green, Her Msiestys
consul at Greytown, who Is also principal Of.
6cer Of the Mosquito government at that place,
he had by force compelled the American steam.
ship Prometheus TO pay tbeport dues demanded
Of her by the authorities Of Greytown To this
despatch, Vice Admiral Sir George Seymour
has Immediately replied, by saying that neither
he, nor, 10 bis knowledge, Her Majesty's onsul,
had received any orders 10 allow Her Msjesty's
ships 10 be employed in such a service, or in en-.
forcing the fiscal regulations Of Musquto the
sole object Of the presence Of British ships oil
war at Greytown being 10 defend the town and
inhab itants from aggressive attempts TO deprive
the Musquito government Of possession pend
Ing settlement by negotiation Of the question
relative 10 lie future position.
Sir George Seymour had further expressl,
/ IOfUIuutu VIC COluuAhilucf VI We LIpfts5 lTOU
again employing force 70 compel the levy o
duties for the Mosquito government.
The undersigned has now 10 state 10 Mr.. Alb
bolt Lawrence. for the information Of his gov
eminent, that Her Msjesty's government fully
approve Of the vice sdmirsrs conduct in Thu
matter, and that they entirely dsavow the &C
OF violence committed by. the commander Of III,
Express" and also the requisition, from He
MsJestys consul, under which the commander
acted, 50 far as be acted BY any authority de-
rived from the British crown.
Under these circumstances Her Majesty,
government have no hesitation in offering ar
ample apology for that which they consider /,
have been an infraction Of treaty engagements
and Her Msjesty's government do so withou
loss Of time, and Immediately upon The receip
Of the official intelligence above alluded 70
inasmuch as, in their opinion, it would be IN
worthy Of the government Of great nation q
hesitate about making due reparation when tn
acts Of their subordinate authorities had beef
Z such as not 10 admit OF justification.
/ As Her Majesty's government have full conf
dence that the government Of the United State,
is sctuated by similar feeling, they hope thai
this mutual confidence will induce each nation
70 refer at once 10 each other in all cases of sucl
disputes; and, until due time has elapsed for the
necessary explanations 10 be received, 10 defer
taking any steps which might lead 10 collisions
ana thus much aggrsyate the original difficulty