The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-17
MR.. LAWRENCE TO vICoUNT PALMERTroN,
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
l3S PICCADILLY, Dec. ~, 1851. :
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary aud
Minister Plenipotentiary Of the United States OF
America. is directed by the President Of the United
States to call the attention of Vscount Paine
her Britanic Majesty principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, to IN outrage committed on the
United States steamship "Prometheus," belonging
to the American Atlantic and Pacific Ship Canal
Company, By the British brig Of war Express" at
II appears that the "Prometheus" was under
weigh at San Juan, with about five hundred pas
sengers, for the purpose Of making voyage to
boarded her with police force, and served a
process of attachment on the ship and captain
for enc hundred and twenty three dollars claimed
by those authorities as port dues, which the
Express immediateiy got under weigh, made
aail for the steamer, ana when within quarter OF
mile of her, fred round shot over her forecastle,
and few minutes afterwards another shot over her
stern, which passed near that its force was dis.
tinc.y felt by several persons on board. The cap.
tain Of the steamer then sent boat on board the
brig, to inquire the cause of the firing The COM
nander OF the brig replied that was to protect the
authorities of Greytown 10 their demands, and that
If the steamer did not Immediately anchor, he
would fro bombshell into her; end hs ordered his
guns to be loaded with grape and canister. The
steamer then proceeded to the anchorage, and an
chored. Tho brig anchored very near her, and sent
boat on board with orders that The troJ should DC
extipguished, and to say that an officer would De
then came en- board, the amount demanded was
1aid under protest, and tho steamer was permitted
TO proceed to sea- Ii farthe appears that the cap
tain of the Express acted IN Tor tao authority and
by order OF MIR. Greene, WHO claims 10 DO the
Btitieh Consul at San Juan
The government. "a tho y allied Ssatss b rs loarn-
ed OF these proceedings wish deep surpfiso and re-
rret. 1t cannot consent 70 the collection OF port
charges at san Juan by Btiish chips of war, or
that their collection should be enforced By them
The President, imme lia.ely on receiving inteli
zence OF these events, gave orders for tho despatcn
Of an armed vessel to san JGaa. He has elso
caused the undersigned to be instructed to inquire
OF Viseoput Palnerston whether the captain OF tho
Express acted pursuant to orders from her Majesys
government and whether his course is approved
The undersigned is also directed to state thst |
those questions shall be answered in the affirmative
the President will consderthe proceedings as VIC
3ation of the treaty Of the ~ OF April, $780, by
which Great Britain has stipulated not to make
use Of any protection which she d sy afford Nicara,
qua, the Mosquito coast, OF any pGrs OF Central
America for the purpose of assuming OF exercising
dominion over the same
The undersigned avails himself OF the opportu-
nifty afforded by these Instructions to renew to VS.
count Palnerston tho assurances OK his distin-
gpsbod consideration. ABBOT LAWRENCE.
VIsCouNy PAr.MRRsroN, So