The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-13


committees.
The Senate bill authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury TO issue a register TO the hornaphrodite
brig Sylphide, was passed.
RAILROADS IN MISSOURI
Mr.. HALL, from the Committee on Public
Lands. reported bill giving to the State of Mis-
souri, the right of way and one million and half
acres OF the public domain TO aid in the construc-
ton of certain railroads therein mentioned After
moving an amendment and making brief expla-
nation, ho asked that the bill be put upon It's
passage.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. moved that il be re
ferred TO the Committee of the Whole on the stat
of the Union; and gave his rsasons for making the
motion.
Mr.. PHELPS opposed the reference Of the bill
The morning hour expired before the question
was taken.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House message
from the President OF the United States, transmit.
ting a copy of the annual report of the Mint at
Philadelphia showing its operations for the year
1856 and it was laid upon the table, and ordered
TO be printed
Also, message from the President of the Uni.
ted States. transmitting report from the Sccrota-
ry of the Interior, containing report from Tho.
mas U. Walter, architect for the extension of the
Capitol which was referred to the Committee OF
Ways and Means.
1RoMETHEUs AFFAIR.
! The SPEAKER also laid before the House a mes
cage from the President ofthe United States
hitting n copy Of the instruct despatched by
the Department OF State to the Minister of the Uni
ted States at London, in refereoce the attack
the United States steamer Promethcus, in the har-
Dor Of San Juan dc Nicaragua by the British brig
ofwar Express" and also copy Of the de
spa,ches of Mr.. Lawrence 10 that Department, and
Of his correspondence with her Britannia majesty =
Principal Secretary OF State for Foreign Affairs
upon the same subject which referred to the
Committee on Foreign Afiairs, and ordered To be
! printed.
The fret despatch is dated December 3, 1851
/ from Mr.. Webster 10 Mr.. Lawrence, detailing 10
him the particulars Of the attack upon tho Prone
theus, and repeating the directions Of the Presi-
dent that he will lose no time in addressing a note
upon the subject to Lord Palmerston, and inquire
whether the captain Of the "E1prcss" acted pur
suant to orders from his government, and
whether that course is approved T; and that Mr..
Lawrence would state, If thcse questions should bc
answered in the Affirmative, the President would
consider the proceeding a violation Of the treat
Of April 49, 1850, by which Great Britain has stip
ulascd that she would not make use Of any protcc-
ton which she might afford Nicaragua, the Mos,
quito const, or any part Of Central America, IN
the purpose OF assuming or exercising any domin
ion over the same. "IhIs Government" Mr.. Law
renee IL instructed. "cannot consent 90 the corc-
ton Of port charges nj San Juan by British ships OF
war, or that their collection should be enforced 10y
them. Tho occurrence above referred 10 has Gre
aied equal surprise and regret, and has caused the
President 10 give immediate orders for the despatch
Of an armed vessel to San Juan"
On the 18th of December. 1851. Mr.. Lawrence
addressed a note TO MIR. Webster ncknop led yin q
the receipt Of bis despatch, and, in compliance
with the Instructions, he on that day addressed n
note TO Lord Palmerston upon the subject, n copy
Of which he enclosos.
Mr.. Lawrence, on the Goth Of December 1851
informs Mr.. Webster Of the withdrawal OF Lord
Pslmerston from the British cabinet.
There are copies of other notes transmitted 70
Congress:
Lord GranciHs to Mr.. Laurence
The undersigned, her Britannia Majcsty's Secre.
tary Of State for Foreign Affairs has the honor "a
acquaint Mr. Abbott Lawrence, Envoy Ertreordi-
nary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United
States Of America, that her majesty's government
have just received from the vice admiral com
manding her msjesty's naval forces In the West
Indies report upon the subject Of the Pronetheus,
which ia to the following effect that, arriving at
81. Thomas the admiral received despatch from
the commander of her majesty's ,loop Express"
stating that on the requisiion Of Mr.. James Green,
her msjosty's consul at Greytown who Is also a
principal officer Of the Mosquito government
at that place, he had by force compelled the
American steamship Prometheus to pay the port
dues demanded Of her by the authorities of Grey
town To this despatch Vice Admiral Sir George
Seymour bas Immediately replied by saying that
neither he, nor, 10 his knowledge, her majesty e
consul, had received any orders TO allow her ma.
jestys ships 10 be employed in such q service or in
enforcing the Gscal regulations OF MOsquitO the
object Of the presence of British ships of war at
GreytOwn being to defend the town and inbsbi.
tsnts from aggressive attempts to deprive the
Mosquito government Of posses-ion pending cot.
Element by negotiation of the question relative TO
| its future position.
Sic George Seymour had further expressly for.