The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-11

The GuANo SPECTATORS VERSUS THE GOVERN
MENT OF PERU. Our latest accounts from the Looos
Islands furnish with intelligence of the arrival
there, on the 18th Of August, Of the American ship
Manlius, of Boston. This ship was sent there by
its owners for the purpose of loading with the guano
of those islands, in conformity with Mr.. Webster's
opinion, given some months back, in favor Of the
perfect hight of all nations to avail themselves Of
that wonderful deposit. The vessel named does not,
however, belong to the fleet which was sent out
from the port by Captain Jewett and Mr.. Benson,
and which must have also reached the islands in
short time subsequently. This fleet, consisting Of
rome twenty ships, was organized in this grand
commercial speculation, under the private arrange
ments. made by its originators, with Mr. Webster,
embracing, also, the orders sent by the Secretary Of
War, at Washington, to Commodore McAuley, di-
recting him to cruise the islands, and protect
such American subjects as might there be engaged
in that traffic. The captain of the Manlius reports
that he was ordered off by Peruvian brig of war,
but refused to obey such ORDERS fortified he was
by copies Of the letters of Secretaries Webster and
Graham, in relation thereto, and expecting the ar
rival Of Commodore McAuley to carry out his in
structions, and extend the promised protection TO
American ships.
But it has unfortunately happened that, since
the departure Of these vessels to embark in the
guano trade, thorough change has come over the
opinions Of administration in respect to the va
lidity of the claims put forward by the Peruvian
government to the exclusive ownership of the Lobos
Islands The arguments contained in the official
letters and documents presented by the Peruvian
Minister at Waahington to the Secretary of State,
have had the effect Of demolishing Mr.. Webster's
previous positions on the subject, and compelling
him to retreat therefrom. He has, therefore, vir-
tualy recanted his guano creed, and his conversion
has been followed up by the issue of fresh
series of directions to Commodore McAuley,
countermanding his original Instructions, and
forbidding him to countenance any violation of
the rights or laws Of Peru by American cti-
zens 1t is probable that Commodore McAuey
will have received chose contradictory dispatches
about the same time, and viii not, conse luently,
have furnished tho protection Of his guns to the
feet Of merchan vessels sent out from this port.
BY the last accounts, the Commodore was at VAL
paraiso; and it is more than likely that the later
instructions from the government reached him
before he arrived at tho islands. The ac-
counts from which we gather our Information
make no mention of any Peruvian force at the
islands, except the brig Of alluded to; bu. intel
ligence Of later date, received the isthmus,
shows that the Peruvian government has stationed
a pretty formidable force there, and it il, there
fore, not at nil probable that any Of the vessels sent
from this port under the directions of Captain jew
cit and Mr. Benson, have been permitted to load,
unless they may have been engaged to take freight
contigned TO guano agents ia this CITY, for account
Of the Peruvian government; aud it Is not very
certain that they will even be permitted to do |
that.
1t will be thus seen that, owing 70 the dubious,
hetitatirg and pusillanimous conduct OF our ad-
ADMINISTRATION tho guano Spectators ia this city, who
anticipated such splendid results from the trade TO
The Lobos Islands, are doomed to sad disappoin,.
Tent. The government here has shown itself too
foc'fe in according lis own preconceptons in favor
Of the claims pu; forward b the Peruvian Minister
to the exclusive right inherent in Peru over the
disputed islands. Scnor Dc Osmas letters to NJ
Webster put forward what be coucelyes TO be In
contestibe evidence Of this right Tho Lobos
Isnnds, be says, have been known to navigasors
since tho time that Pz3uo conquered tho empire Of
tho Incas, and have been occupied aud made use OF
both under tbe ancient and present regimes; ana
further adds that not only they the sabjccs OF
express prohibition for the last tweuty years. bus
In 1914 or 1876, On Official survey was made oi ~
the euano deposits within tho terrtor.a. do"iiohS
of Peru In which were comprised the Lobos lsianas