The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-17
Ra. WEBSTER 10 HR. LAWRENCE.
nEpARHAlk OR STATE
WAsYfNG rov, Deccmb Der 3, 1851

WAsHiNG ROY, December 3, 1851.
SIR transmit copy of letter OF yesterday,
and of the papers thereto referred to, addressed to
ths department by Mr. Joseph l.. White, IS coua-
sci Of the American Atlantic aud Pacific Ship Canal
Company from which ii appears that when the
steamship Prometheus, belonging TO that company,
under weigh at San Juan Del Norte, for the pur
pose Of making her last voyage from thence to
New York, the city authorizes OF San uan boarded
her with police force, and served process OF
attachment the ship and captain for one hundred
and twenty-three dollars, claimed by those autho-
rites port dues, hch the captain refused TO pay
Thereupon the English brig of war Express, lying
in the harbor, Immediately got under weigh, made
sail for the steamer, and, when within quarter OF
q mile Of her, fired round shot over her force
tie, and few minutes afterwards another shot over
her stern which passed so near that the force OF tce
ball was distinctly felt by several persons on boad
The captain of the steamer thon sent u boat on
beard tho brig to inquire the cause of the firing.
The captain of the big replied tha. it was to pro-
tect the authorities Of Groy town in their demauds
that If the steamer did moi Immediately anchor, he
would FIRE bomb shell inCo herr and he ordered his
guns to be loaded with grape aud canister shit.
The steamer then proceeded to the anchorage and
anchored. The brig anchored very near the steam.
or, sent boat board inc latter with orders that
the fires should be extnguished aud to say that an
officer would be sent to that this was done. The
authorities then came on soa!d, the amount de-
manded was paid M Ter protest. and the steamer
was permitted to proceed to sea. 1t further ap-
pears that the captain of the EXPRESS acted under
the authority and by orders Of q Mr.. Greene, who
claims to be the British Consul at San Juan.
The President drects that you will lose no time
in addressing note upon this subject to Lord Pal
merston. You will inquire if the captain Of the
Express acted pursuant to orders from his govern
ment, and whether his course is approved. You
will state that fthee questions Should be verea in
the Affirmative, tho President would consider the pro-
ceeaing violation Of tho treaty Of the 18th of
April, 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 pur
pose Of assuming exercising any dominion over
the same.
II, as Mr.. White says, Lord Palnerston instruct.
ed Mr. Greene, in October, 1885, net to interfere
with tie ve ssels OF the company, and in November
of that year again instructed him to make Grey
town free port, it is difficult to believe that these
instructions could have been countermanded as no
cause therefor is known to exist.
Perhaps it may be said that, although San Juan
be regArded as free port, that only me ans that
no duties impost shall be levied or collec 20 on
goods, and does not imply that port charges are
not to be paid by masters Of vessels as in other
ports. This government, however, cannot consent
to tho collection of port charges ct San Juan by
British ships of war, that their collection should
be enforced by them.
The occurrence above referred to has created
equal prise and regret, and has caused the Pesi
dent to give immediate orders for the despatch of
an armed vessel to San Juan.
am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
ABBOTT LAWRENCE, Esq, Sc.